MEDIA ADVISORY: Nation's First School “BUS FARM” Unveiled

MEDIA ADVISORY from the San Diego Unified School District, Oct. 12, 2011

NATION’S FIRST SCHOOL “BUS FARM” UNVEILED

WHAT: As part of the nationwide National School Lunch Week and National Farm to School Month, San Diego Unified will introduce its new “Bus Farm” program, which features a school bus converted to a farm on wheels.

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011
             10:30 a.m. Farm Bus groundbreaking ceremony
             10:40 a.m. Farm Bus tour and fresh produce from local farmer

WHERE: Dana Middle School, 1775 Chatsworth Blvd, San Diego (92106)

DETAILS: A leader in the Farm to School program, San Diego Unified is unveiling the nation’s first Bus Farm. The Bus Farm will connect students to healthy school meals, local farm culture and create hands-on learning opportunities as a project of the district’s Farm to School program. The farm on wheels was inspired by Truck Farm of Wicked Delicate Film Production and design support has been provided by local artist and Chef, Melissa Mayer, and Suzie’s Farm. The Bus Farm will inspire healthy eating and active learning by bringing a farm to schools. Next year, the Bus Farm will officially “hit the road” and head out to schools across the district.

Last year, the United States House of Representatives declared October National Farm to School Month, recognizing the strong role Farm to School plays in promoting good health and strong economies. San Diego Unified’s Farm to School Program seeks to increase children’s participation in the school meal program and consumption of fruits and vegetables, thereby improving childhood nutrition, reducing hunger, and preventing obesity and obesity-related diseases. The program decreases the distance food travels between farmers and students to 25 miles from the San Diego County border and invests 25% of the annual fresh fruit and vegetable budget in local fresh foods.

PHOTOS/INTERVIEWS:

• Students and officials walk through a large farm in a school bus.
• Interviews with district officials, students, local farmers and Farm to School experts
• Attendees will be treated to the local “Harvest of the Month” from Stehly Farms.
• Large and colorful displays of vegetable plants built into a school bus.
• Local organic oranges in a wheelbarrow.

CONTACT: Vanessa Zajfen, Farm-to-School coordinator, (858) 627-7210