Youth Farmstands Promote Farm-to-Cafeteria, Food Security & Economic Development in At-Risk...
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Transcript of Youth Farmstands Promote Farm-to-Cafeteria, Food Security & Economic Development in At-Risk...
Youth Farmstands PromoteFarm-to-Cafeteria, Food Security &
Economic Development inAt-Risk Communities
The Seeds to Success Youth Farmstand Project
Luanne J. Hughes, MS, RD
Family & Community Health Sciences Educator
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County
First Things First…A Definition
• Farmstands: Throughout New Jersey, roadside stands pop up during spring, summer and autumn.
• Farmstands vary significantly…from more“sophisticated” standslike this to mere tableswith umbrellas!
Welcome to Our Farmstands…Youth Farmstands!
RCE Youth Farmstand Program
• A multi-faceted program that’s designed to: – Support local farmers– Increase work readiness & life
skills in at-risk youth – Build food security and
healthier, stronger communities
• We’re not just a youth employment program!
Why Farmstands?
• Rural-turning-suburban county of 329 square miles with 24 municipalities
• Fastest growing county in NJ• Fastest growing municipality on the
east coast • 160+ farms totaling more than 11,500
acres in farmland preservation• Agriculture is an $850 million industry.
The contrasts in our county afford great opportunity….
Everyone Benefits
Youth: • Workforce readiness skills• “Work ready” labor pool
for entry level jobs• Knowledge of agriculture
& food systems• Nutrition and food safety
education • Awareness of employment
pathways in agriculture
Communities:• Affordable, quality produce in
convenient locations • Food stamps (SNAP)
accepted• FMNP vouchers accepted
(WIC & Seniors)• Economic development
Local Farmers:• New markets • Market research• Pool of future employees
Program Benefits
Youth Partners
Workforce Skills (SCANS) Life Skills
Entrepreneurial Orientation
Farmstand Worker Certificate
Developmental Assets
Local Farmers
New/Expanded Markets
Increased ProfitLocal Market
ResearchJersey Fresh Promotion
Communities
Quality Produce
Nutrition & Food Prep Education
Voucher Acceptance
ResidentsEconomic
Development
Improved Labor Pool
Increased Tax Base
Positive Community
Image
Our Kids & Our Communities…
• Seeds to Success targets 3 at-risk communities in Gloucester County, Southern New Jersey
• Glassboro, Paulsboro, Woodbury:
– Top 3 communities where food stamp recipients reside
– ≥50% residents at or below poverty level
• Youth partners are all special needs youth
Outreach, Outreach, Outreach!• Seeds to Success is the largest local youth farmstand
initiative in the state, employing up to 50 youth, 6 supervisors and 3 managers annually at 3 locations in Gloucester County, NJ.
• Participants receive hourly salaries(minimum wage+) and participatein profit sharing at season’s end.
• Seeds to Success is a collaborative effort between RCE and representatives from 70+community groups, agencies, municipalities and school districts.
More Outreach…
• The agribusiness community benefits by the farmstand purchasing an average of $13,000 in locally produced goods each year, which are purchased by residents in 3 at-risk communities.
• 15-20% of annual sales are attributed to consumers who redeem FMNP produce vouchers.
How Farmstands “Work” for Youth?• Youth experience owning
business
– Youth as “partners”
– Supervisors as “instructors”
• Youth paid hourly wage & share profits
• Educational components
– School-based education
– Farmstand training
– Farmstand operations
– Summer enrichment
School-Based Education
• Nutrition• Produce preparation• Safe food handling • Produce identification • Business math • Banking procedures• Character education
Farmstand Training
• Customer service • Cash register operation • WIC/senior vouchers • Weights & measures • Banking procedures• Farmstand safety• Purchasing & inventory• Produce identification • Produce preparation• Workplace expectations
Farmstand Operations
• Youth make operational decisions
• Learn-by-doing approach– Purchasing– Pricing– Display– Inventory– Promotion– Market research– Customer service
Summer Enrichment
• Agriculture & food systems• Produce identification• Career planning• Nutrition• Goal-setting • Decision-making• Resume writing • Interviewing• Field trips
Funding…
Over the past 7 years, Seeds to Success has been funded through a variety of different mechanisms:
• USDA CYFAR (Children, Youth and Families At Risk) New Communities Project 5-year renewable grant
• Valero Benefit for Children grant
• NJDA “Jersey Fresh” grants
• Glassboro Neighborhood Preservation Funding Program
• Glassboro School District
• County of Gloucester
Need More Information?
Luanne Hughes, MS, RD: [email protected]