In a world where processed foods and sugary snacks often dominate children's diets, Boulder Public Health is taking a proactive approach to address the alarming statistic that over 90% of kids in Boulder County under 14 don't consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables. Through a collaborative effort with local farmers, farmer's markets, and daycares, this innovative program is working to bring fresh, nutritious produce straight to the plates of young children, fostering healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime.

Empowering the Next Generation to Embrace Healthy Eating

Bridging the Gap Between Farms and Daycares

The Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) program, spearheaded by Boulder Public Health, has been connecting local farms like Ela Farms to over 80 daycares in the area for nearly a decade. This initiative aims to provide children with direct access to fresh, locally-grown produce, giving them the opportunity to explore and develop a taste for a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.Ela Farms Market Manager Jeni Nagle enthusiastically participates in the program, setting aside produce specifically for the ECE initiative. "To see them reaching and begging their parents for an apple is really exciting and heartwarming," Nagle shared, highlighting the transformative impact the program has had on young children's attitudes towards healthy foods.

Fostering Lifelong Healthy Habits

Heather Hauswirth, a dietician and the Farm To Early Care and Education Program Specialist for Boulder Public Health, believes that the program's success lies in its ability to shape healthy eating behaviors from an early age. "It helps teach kids from a young age healthy eating behaviors, and so they grow up loving fruits and vegetables and more willing to try them with the ultimate goal of decreasing and preventing chronic disease," Hauswirth explained.The program's approach is backed by research, and parents who utilize daycares that participate in the ECE program are already witnessing the positive changes in their children's attitudes towards produce. Marissa Trepke, a parent, shared her excitement, "The kids are like, 'hey, mom' I tried carrots! And we played with them, and we learned how to chop them.'"

Expanding Access and Affordability

To ensure the program's accessibility, Boulder Public Health reports that most participating daycares offer financial assistance, and many will even send extra produce home with families for free or invite them to visit the farms directly. This multifaceted approach not only exposes children to a wider variety of fruits and vegetables but also empowers families to incorporate these healthy habits into their daily lives.Trepke's son, for instance, has become an enthusiastic produce connoisseur, excelling at identifying and preparing vegetables. "Broccoli, beets, all these things, and he's really good at it like he's better than I am at vegetables," Trepke proudly shared.

Scaling Up for Countywide Impact

Looking to the future, Hauswirth and the Boulder Public Health team are determined to expand the ECE program to reach all daycares in Boulder County. With over 20,000 pounds of produce already shared through the initiative, the program's impact is undeniable. By continuing to bridge the gap between local farms and early childhood education, the ECE program aims to instill healthy habits that will benefit children for years to come.As Ela Farms' Jeni Nagle eloquently stated, "It just feels really good to feed kids good organic fruit that was grown right here in Colorado." This sentiment encapsulates the essence of the ECE program – a collaborative effort to nurture the next generation's love for fresh, nutritious foods and cultivate a healthier future for the community.