Transforming School Food Forests: Cultivating a Greener Future for Our Children

The National Farm to School Network (NFSN) is keen to expand its School Food Forest Coalition. This initiative aims to create food forests in schools across the U.S. Food forests are self-sustaining gardens that offer a steady food supply for school communities.

Research shows that having gardens at schools can significantly boost students’ health and well-being. Tomas Delgado, NFSN’s Program Manager, highlights a challenge educators face: many gardening initiatives often fade due to constant demands on teachers’ time. “Perennial gardens, like food forests, have a big advantage. They keep growing and producing food, even if human involvement wanes,” Delgado explains.

Food forests consist of layers of food-producing plants, such as trees, shrubs, and root vegetables, which mimic the natural structures of forests. Delgado outlines multiple benefits. They enhance food security by growing substantial amounts of food in small areas. They also combat climate change by cooling urban heat, and research suggests that connecting with nature helps improve mental health.

In Miami-Dade County, Florida, food forests have been integrated into public schools for over a decade. The Education Fund, a local nonprofit, launched the “Food Forests for Schools” initiative, the first program of its kind in the U.S. They have successfully established 30 food forests in the area.

Debi La Belle, Senior Program Manager, describes these food forests as “eco-learning labs.” They not only promote healthier eating but also enhance student engagement. Since 2020, educators in Miami have taught nearly 6,000 lessons using lessons from the food forests to improve outcomes in science and math. In fact, a recent survey revealed that 71% of students experienced boosts in science achievement, and 74% improved in math.

The program has also distributed over 21,000 bags of fresh produce to families, including bananas and moringa leaves. “Teachers see students applying math skills learned in the gardens during tests,” says Eddie Recinos, another program director.

NFSN wants to expand initiatives like this nationwide, which will require adjusting to different regional environments. Delgado mentions the Schenectady School District in New York, which balances native plant introduction with species that reflect the community’s diversity.

While food forests are low-maintenance once established, they do come with higher start-up costs and take longer to yield produce. “You won’t see fruits in the first years,” Delgado notes, but this also teaches valuable lessons about planning for the future.

NFSN proposes a budget of $265,000 over two years to support the School Food Forest Coalition. This funding will help bring experts together to create best practices and resources for schools. “It’s exciting to see this grow within the farm-to-school movement,” Delgado adds. “We aim to create resilient school communities that promote equity and nurture future generations.”

For more insights on the benefits of school food systems, check out the National Farm to School Network or the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems and Community Development.

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