Farm to Early Care & Education

Creating a Farm to Early Care & Education (ECE) Program

Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) is a nutrition education program that aims to give children, ages 6 months to 5 years, the opportunity to learn about healthy, local foods through:

• Gardening
• Cooking activities
• Taste tests
• Field trips
• Farmer visits
• Meals and snacks
• Nutrition lessons

Farm to ECE is different from other nutrition education curriculums because it teaches children where food comes from and how it is grown. When children help to grow or prepare fruits and vegetables, they’re more willing to try them!

Farm to ECE Goals

• To increase access to nutritious food and experiential opportunities to grow healthy children.
• To positively influence young children’s eating habits while their food preferences are forming.

Farm to ECE Program Expectations

Child care programs will provide the following:

• A weekly gardening activity
• A weekly nutrition education activity
• A monthly communication to parents about program activities
• A monthly update on activities you’ve completed

Colorado Shine Points

Meeting the Farm to ECE program guidelines can count towards Colorado Shines points for levels 3-5. Specifically, points can be allotted related to:

• Standard 5.6: The program offers nutrition information and education programs annually, led by a nutritionist or registered dietitian (2 points possible)
• Standard 5.7: The program has a garden and serves fruits/vegetables from the garden for children to taste (2 points possible)

Readiness Self-Assessment

Complete this form to understand if your child care program is ready to implement the program.
Self-Assessment Form