AbbeyGroup – Page 27 – The Abbey Group

Why The Abbey’s “Dishing Up Local!”

Ever since our inception in 84’ we have developed a deep understanding on the importance of locally sourced food. Though we know that if you’re on this site, you’re probably already an expert on the local food and Farm to School movements but event you’re not, here is a brief introduction:

The term ‘farm to school’ is largely considered to consist of efforts to connect schools with local food producers directly in order to serve local foods in school cafeterias. Farm to school is an offshoot of the entire local food movement.

There are numerous recognized benefits to, as we say, ‘dish up local’. Some of the primary benefits of the local food movement are the positive impacts on the environment, community, economy and people’s health.

Environmental:

Avoids excessive fossil fuel use
Reduces food miles and non-industrially processed foods
Biodiversity encouraged through increases in organic production

Social:

Helps build community vibrancy and retain local traditions
Aids tourism and associated regional identity formation
People desire more locally grown foods

Economic:

Short supply chains and farmers’ markets keep income and employment local
Fosters tourism and niche markets

Human:

Fosters fresh, seasonal food intake
Higher content of vital water-soluble vitamins (ie. no transcontinental shipping)
Increased fiber and lower fat, sugar and salt content of non-industrially processed foods

Vermont is the nation’s leader in direct agricultural product sales due to our success with farmers markets and CSA shares and the importance we place on health. In 2008, the Center for Disease Control voted Vermont the healthiest state the country. Since 2000, the number of community supported agriculture shares in Vermont has increased by 500%.

Though Vermont has been credited to leading the nation, there has been a huge increase in farm to school programs across the country. This might largely be due to increased awareness of the national obesity epidemic spawning an increased awareness of food production and the desire to educate children on the dangers of over eating and unhealthy food.

For more information on the local food movement or the USDA supported Farm to School programs please visit http://www.farmtoschool.org/.

Written by AbbeyGroup on July 5, 2012. Posted in Dishing Up Local, Education, Inside The Abbey Group, Sustainability

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The Abbey Feeds: A Highlight on Vermont Conservation Camps

Now that children are out of school for the summer, parents often struggle with how to keep their kids active, healthy, and engaged. Though summer can be ripe with fresh fruits and vegetables, it can also be a time where children have a relaxed schedule and can fall into unhealthy and inconsistent eating habits. One way to curb all of these summer parent struggles is by having children attend any youth summer camp. These can have a tremendous positive impact on their physical wellbeing as well as a positive effect on psychological development, self-esteem and independence.

Of course there are tons of different types of camps available to children, ranging from computer camps, sports camps, religious camps, and beyond. But did you know that, in true Vermont fashion, the state of Vermont offers two summer conservation camps for Vermont youth that run from June to August? These camps are located in Buck Lake in Woodbury, Vermont and Camp Kehoe is located on Lake Bomoseen in Castleton.

What makes these programs so unique is that they’re sponsored and directed by Fish & Wildlife Department professionals-the same people who manage the fish and wildlife resources in Vermont. The students work with biologists, foresters, game wardens and conservation educators who teach these young people about Vermont’s forests, wetlands and wildlife. Not only do the youth develop valuable life skills but they also gain environmental knowledge so they can continue the state’s traditional rural pursuits–enjoying all aspects of the outdoor world.

Not only do students peruse many physically stimulating activities in these camps that keep them fit in the summer, they also are fed by us, The Abbey Group, around the same guidelines that guide school nutrition throughout the school year so parents can sleep easy.

Please see the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website at http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/edu_camps.cfm for more information.

Written by AbbeyGroup on June 29, 2012. Posted in Events, The Abbey Feeds, USDA

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Summer Meal Programs

Schoooooools out for summer!

During the school year, many children receive reduced-price or free breakfast and lunch through the National School Lunch Programs. Many parents rely on these meals for their children during the school year so what happens to children when school’s out? The USDA has developed a Summer Food Service Program designed to fill that gap of nutrition when school is out.

Outreach is the biggest obstacle in making the summer meals a success. Millions of low-income children across the country may go hungry this summer because they don’t know about these programs. Right now the program only reaches a fraction of children who are in need. Hunger is one of the most severe roadblocks to the learning process and lack of nutrition during the summer months may set up a cycle for poor performance once school begins again. Hunger also may make children more prone to illness and other health issues.

Depending on federal qualifications, some site locations are open to the entire community and serve many youth activity focused programs and organizations. Most summer meal programs do not require children to actually attend the school that they receive their summer meals from. The USDA wants to open the service to as many children as possible to feed as many in need as possible.

If you’re interested in these summer meals for your children ask your local cafeteria if they’re enrolled in the program. If they’re not, give a call to the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-Hungry or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (English or Spanish) to learn of sites in your area.

It is after all, all about the kids! Have a healthy and nutritious summer everyone!

Written by AbbeyGroup on June 18, 2012. Posted in Announcements, Education, USDA

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On Federally Mandated School Lunch Price

Two years ago the Federal government passed a law, the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act, which requires all schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program to gradually increase hot lunch price to eventually align with free meal reimbursement (currently set at $2.72) over the next few years. The purpose of this legislation is to equalize the price of a paid hot lunch with the amount of money the Federal government reimburses districts for students who receive free and reduced lunches.

Hunger Free Kids Act also includes a new set of nutritional guidelines set by the USDA. We had touched upon some of these new guidelines in one of our last posts but just in case you missed it, here’s the scoop:

All Schools who participate in the National School Lunch Program, which includes all of our schools, must construct menus based on USDA recommended regular daily requirements for nutrition. School lunch programs are audited on a regular basis by the government for compliance. For the 2012-2013 school year, the Federal government has developed new nutritional guidelines that can be found in detail on the USDA website.

The targeted nutritional areas for these changes are a maximum amount of calories served, sodium amounts, an increase in vegetables and fruits, as well as new restrictions on grain consumption.

Written by AbbeyGroup on June 11, 2012. Posted in Announcements, USDA

Tags: USDA

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