’ĀINA IS: Actively Integrating Nutrition & Agriculture In Schools

Applications Available Now!

Public Elementary Schools on Oʻahu are invited to apply to participate in the ‘ĀINA In Schools program starting in the 2013-2014 school year. Applications are due April 15, 2013. Additional details are included on the application form.

ʻĀINA In Schools is a farm-to-school initiative that connects children to their local land, waters, and food in order to grow a healthier Hawaiʻi. In addition to encouraging the use of locally grown fruits and vegetables in school meals and snacks, the program teaches kids to grow food in their own school gardens.

ʻĀINA In Schools also provides nutrition education and field trips to local farms, while outreach efforts engage parents and other community members in environmental protection and healthy food choices.

Download ʻĀINA In Schools program overview.

OUR AREAS OF FOCUS:

Addressing childhood health issues by fostering healthy eating habits
Encouraging environmental stewardship by connecting children to the land & water that sustains them
Contributing to a healthy local food system by supporting Hawai’i's farmers and their produce

SIX INTEGRATED PROGRAM COMPONENTS:

Core components include:

Nutrition Education in the classroom empowers students to make healthy choices that will last a lifetime.
Garden-based Learning reconnects students to the natural world through the joys of gardening.
Healthy Food on Campus increases local, fresh products in school lunches and snack programs to provide healthy choices.

Additional components include:

Agricultural Literacy introduces students to where their food comes from and who grows their food.
Waste Reduction reduces, reuses and recycles waste in gardens, schoolyards, cafeterias, and classrooms.
Family & Community Outreach raises awareness to support ‘AINA IS at school and at home.

Participating ʻĀINA Schools wil implement at least two of the three core components, along with one additional component. “Model” ʻĀINA Schools successfully implement at least five of the six program components.

KŌKUA HAWAIʻI FOUNDATION RESOURCES

Available to any Hawai’i educator and school interested in implementing farm to school initiatives:

Kōkua Earth Action Program Mini-grants support gardens, composting systems, teacher trainings, and a variety of other projects;
Environmental Field Trip Assistance Grants help to cover bus fare and admission to local farms, lo’i, and loko i’a;
ʻĀINA IS Curricula incorporate current academic standards;
Conferences & Workshops on our curricula, school food, and gardening basics;
A Variety of Toolkits and Resource Guides on school gardens, healthy snacks, zero-waste lunches, composting, and more.

KEY FARM TO SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS:

Co-leader and founding partner of the Oʻahu Farm to School Network. Join the ʻĀINA e-list to learn more.
Founding member of the Hawaiʻi Farm to School & School Garden Hui.
Hawaiʻi state lead for the National Farm to School Network.
Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation is also an Advisory Committee member of the Hawaiʻi Environmental Education Alliance.

13 O’ahu Elementary Schools Participate in the Program:

Ahuimanu, ‘Aikahi, Ala Wai, Kainalu, Ke Kula o Samuel M. Kamakau, Kahala, Lanikai, Liholiho, Mililani Uka, Sunset Beach, Wai‘alae, Waialua, and Waikiki