Review Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 2/24/2021 - 6:00 PM
Category: Consent Agenda
Type: Action
Subject: 14.4 Review and Potential Approval of the California Department Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Farm to School Incubator Grant
LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan) Goal:
Goal 1:
All students will receive a high quality education in a safe and welcoming environment with equitable and high expectations, access to technology, and instruction in the California State Standards that prepare them for college and career.
Policy:
Enclosure CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant- Riverview Garden Program Overview
File Attachment:
CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant- Riverview Garden.pdf
Summary: Review and Potential Approval of the California Department Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Farm to School Incubator Grant MDUSD to expand the district’s multi-pronged commitment to long-term student health and wellness by offering nutrition, garden and cooking education in a novel field trip experience for elementary students while also increasing local procurement of “Center of the Plate” beef and fish for all TK-12 students.

MDUSD will use CDFA funds to improve the existing 2.25 acre school garden at Riverview Middle School so that it can serve as an ultra-local farm destination for elementary field trips. Grant funds will support; capital improvements to the existing garden infrastructure to promote educational goals, create and implement standards-based and culturally relevant lessons, and establish community “Plant Exchanges” to increase families’ food security and knowledge of healthy eating and cooking. Furthermore, Culturally relevant literature, including biographies, will be integrated as an educational component featuring underrepresented groups that reflect Mt. Diablo's diverse population. Instructors will specifically target the contributions of African American and Latinx farmers, scientists, and leaders from STEM fields of study. Lastly, MDUSD will use CDFA grant funds to pilot the procurement of local ground beef from Mindful Meats in Sonoma and/or Niman Ranch in Bolinas and locally-caught, fresh fish from the San Francisco Wharf to use for the District’s meals. The grant is for $154,632 from June 1, 2021-March 31, 2023
Funding: California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
Fiscal Impact $154,632
Recommendation: Move to approve the California Department Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Farm to School Incubator Grant
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Stephanie Roberts - Director of Development
Signed By:
Dominic Machi - Director, Food & Nutrition Services
Signed By:
Elizabeth McClanahan - Director of Purchasing and Warehouse
Signed By:
Mika Arbelbide - Director of Fiscal Services
Signed By:
Jennifer Sachs - Chief, Educational Services
Signed By:
Dr. Adam Clark - Superintendent