SOS is honored to announce that we are a grateful recipient of the USDA’s prestigious 2024 Farm to School Grant. This award comes two years after SOS received our first USDA Farm to School Grant, which allowed us to launch our 16-week nutrition and agriculture education curriculum after a successful pilot program.
These federal funds will allow SOS to expand upon the exciting education program dubbed “Smart Sprouts.” Some of the more costly and favorite learning experiences for our students will be able to continue thanks to this award, including our field trips to The SOS Eco Farm and having guest speakers from the University of Florida Extension Office speak on timely and relevant topics such as climate change, pollinators, and aquaculture. Additionally, SOS will continue its tradition of introducing students to agriculture, with each participating class receiving its own aeroponic Tower Garden to help maintain throughout the semester. With the towers actively growing various plants like basil, nasturtium, marigolds, cucumbers, and more, students get first-hand experience regarding how food systems operate in our rural and subtropical geographic area. Each week, students will also be able to try a healthy and easy-to-make snack which relates back to the lesson!
In addition to funding the standard 16-week educational series, funds will permit SOS to engage more than 3,000 students across all four public schools in Key West. By hosting bi-annual school-wide taste tests featuring Florida-grown produce and bi-monthly Lunch and Learn events where students will learn how food from their lunches was grown, SOS will expand its reach and educate all students on the importance of healthy eating and sustainable agriculture. SOS will also engage summer participants at the Key West and Big Pine Boys and Girls Clubs in a four–week, hands–on mini–Smart Sprouts series!
Farm to School is a powerful initiative that supports regional farmers, promotes food justice, and encourages children to eat healthy, delicious food. SOS is one of 154 incredible projects to be funded by this grant across 43 states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. By engaging in Farm to School, SOS is helping our youngest community members grow a passion for leading healthy lifestyles and understanding how food systems impact our environment, community, and way of life.
If you want to get involved with SOS’s Smart Sprouts Program, email Rebekah at Rebekah@sosfoundation.org. We are looking for dedicated volunteers who can help every week at our classes or sporadically at our taste tests, field trips, and Lunch and Learn events! We are so excited to see the impact of this award as our community continues to grow strong and healthy.
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