Recipient Organization
KIDS FOOD BASKET
1300 PLYMOUTH AVE NE
GRAND RAPIDS,MI 49505
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
This project seeks to build upon current efforts focused onimproving food security, nutrition education, and community well-being in Muskegon County, focusing particularly on youth residing within Federal Opportunity Zones. The initiative will involve the establishment of over 20 community garden spaces and greenhouses in underserved areas, with the goal of fostering greater access to fresh produce.Kids' Food Basket will play a central role in this endeavor, leading efforts in collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore. Together, they will engage approximately 400 youth at the Boys and Girls Club's central location, as well as 600 youth at two middle schools serving as additional program sites.Participating youth will receive comprehensive nutrition and agriculture education, actively participating in planting, tending, and harvesting produce for use in community meals, school programs, and out-of-school activities. Additionally, they will gain hands-on experience in greenhouse growing, enabling continued access to healthy food during Michigan's winter months.A key component of the project involves empowering youth to lead a farm-to-plate experience, utilizing locally harvested ingredients in meals served at family events hosted by the Boys and Girls Club. Furthermore, Kids' Food Basket will distribute seasonal produce boxes to low-income families throughout the growing season, further enhancing access to nutritious foods within the community.By engaging youth in meaningful educational and hands-on activities centered around food production and nutrition, this project aims to foster healthier lifestyles, strengthen community ties, and mitigate food insecurity in Muskegon County.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The project's primary objectives are to deliver agriculture and nutrition education through hands-on activities and project-based learning, establish raised bed garden areas for educational purposes, provide tools and supplies for year-round cultivation of greens and microgreens in classrooms, and revive dormant gardens at school sites to offer agricultural and nutrition education to vulnerable student populations in Muskegon County. In addition to increasing access to locally grown produce in low-income areas designated as food deserts, students will learn various planting and cultivation techniques, harvesting methods, and culinary skills through nutrition education and cooking demonstrations. Moreover, the vegetables grown in these new and revitalized garden beds will supplement salad bars and school lunch meals, facilitating a student-led farm-to-plate experience. Lastly, collaboration with schools possessing garden spaces will involve implementing composting practices to diminish food waste sent to landfills and bolster sustainability and soil health in these garden areas for the long term.
Project Methods
The evaluation methods below provide a comprehensive framework for assessing the effectiveness of the project and ensuring its success in achieving its goals.1.Formative Evaluation: This involves ongoing feedback from collaborating teachers and program staff. They will provide input on activities and lesson materials. Families receiving produce boxes will also be surveyed for feedback and suggestions on program experiences. Formative evaluations will be conducted quarterly, and compiled bi-annually to inform project success and allow for improvements as needed.2.Summative Evaluation: This entails assessing project outcomes through various methods:Pre and Post Surveys: Given to students participating in agricultural and nutrition education activities to measure changes in knowledge, skills, and behaviors related to produce consumption, eating habits, cooking skills, and interest in gardening and sustainable practices like composting.Surveys with Families: Families receiving produce boxes will be invited to participate in surveys to assess the impact on their dietary patterns, cooking skills, and interests.Focus Groups or Interviews: Conducted with teachers or families of students to gauge the impact of educational activities. Data from these sessions will be transcribed and qualitatively analyzed.3. Data Analysis: All data types will be analyzed at least annually to determine necessary adjustments for increasing program impact. Comprehensive analysis will occur at the project's conclusion to assess overall outcomes.4. Data Sharing: Evaluation results will be shared with the Technical Assistance and Training (T&TA) provider throughout the project and via the NIFA REEport platform. Results may also be disseminated to collaborators, program participants, and through annual impact reports or other publications and presentations by Kids' Food Basket.