Food for Thought Ojai

“Expenses program materials 3,479 ag-school gardens 38,209 green & healthy schools 16,107 nutrition education 1,850 agriculture literacy 5,741 community outreach 8,081 administrative costs 10,217 program development 144 reconciliation discrepanc 182 total 84,010”

“Accounts receivable 445 445 total 445 445”

“Food for thought works with the local community to support, educate and inspire our school children and their families to make healthier food choices. We are a diverse group of community members collaborating with ojai's public schools to nurture an awareness of food and its relationship to health, society and the environment. Our volunteers and staff coordinate experiential learning opportunities in schools and participate in outreach, advocacy and coalition-building in the greater community.”

“All of the elementary along with the local high school are actively participating in garden development and education along with nutrition awareness - making healthy choices. Waste stream audits are continuing with student awareness building. Student population along with parents and community are actively involved at all levels of program development. Teacher and administrative support are also important to the success of the program. Additional outreach to farm awareness programs throughout the county are being implemented as new activities. Program serves over 1,000 students, 150 educators and administration along with an ojai population base of over 8,000. The most successful programs for food for thought ojai are: environment field studies and new environmental science students at nordhoff high school - over 60 participating students - worked with food for thought throughout the year to plant & harvest produce for their classmates, visit a local farm 10 times, learn composting techniques, fruit tree pruning, textile dyeing using plat-based dyes along with livestoch care. The organization also co-wrote the "california green ribbon" school application for meiners oaks elementary. This is a state program that recognizes schools working within the sustaining practices of environmental education. School was awarded silver level recognition in january 2017 - amongst 38 award winning schools.”

“Garden based learning: this weekly program expands/introduces garden based learning opportunities in the elementary school gardens. This is the mainstay of the food for thought program. Each week close to 200 students visit gardens during recess and additional classes are taught throughout the school yea by our garden-based learning team. The gardens have produced seeds for saving and worm composting at several schools. Fresh and healthy garden snacks are a key component of the garden program. Parents continue to be encouraged to participate and assist with garden club activities. Harvest of the month program is run with volunteers at 3 large elementary schools promoting county-wide produce choices. 1x per month approximately 1,000 taste test servings are offered up to students during recess. Curriculum discussions regarding locally grown produce. Food for thought - ojai also collaborated and designed a meal menu/calendar for ojai unified elementary.”

“Administrative costs along with seminars help to keep all staff and board members current with trends and environmental impact changes not only within the county but also world awareness. Subscriptions and district communication are a part of these costs and continue to keep a fine tune on the relationship between the garden (earth), the student (people) and the exempt mission of the program. The harvest of the month program is run entirely with volunteers at three (3) of the largest elementary schools to promote county-wide produce choice. One thursday a moth appoximately 1,000 taste test servings are offered up to students during recess and lots of discussion about locally grown seasonal produce takes place both in and out of the classroom.”