Have you heard? We’ve been hard at work on all things organic — shifting institutional purchasing to ensure the health of our children, families, communities, school districts, farmers, local economies, soils and shared climate. Today, in partnership with West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD), we are proud that families picked up 21,000 food boxes with 100% USDA Certified organic fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, proteins and more to make 588,000 meals with and for kids.
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In less than 4 months, our collaboration with WCCUSD has channeled $3.7 million into local economies to purchase 2.6 million pounds of organic food for 7.4 million meals to nourish Bay Area children — and this is only the beginning!
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Sourcing fresh, local, organic food is cost-effective, climate-friendly, supports farmers and suppliers, and contributes to resilient communities. This program is proof! Amid Covid, WCCUSD pivoted from in-school dining to pre-packaged meals for pickup to food boxes with whole, fresh ingredients for families to cook nourishing meals. Since Nov 2020, Conscious Kitchen and WCCUSD have partnered to transition all items in the boxes from conventional to organic, increasing quantities each week.
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Today marks the first 100% USDA Certified organic box. See the contents below, look behind the scenes, and watch families pickup boxes by car and foot across the district!
With need and demand from families on the rise, state and federal funding in place, and a direct price-comparable supply chain to support local farmers, ranchers and producers, the organic food boxes are slated to continue during school closures. When in-person learning resumes, our joint goal with WCCUSD is to increase organic procurement in the central kitchen by 50%.
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Included educational materials and recipes ensure that families know how to make the most of box contents and why this paradigm-shifting program is vital. They are now excited about organic!
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Growing this successful proof of concept, we will continue to build infrastructure, capture lessons, and create a blueprint for school districts to implement similar programs that prioritize organic agriculture, the wellbeing of children, families and workers, and thriving local economies and shared ecosystems for the good of people and planet today, tomorrow and far into the future. Thank you to this week’s suppliers for making the box a reality: Marin Sun Farms, Mindful Meats, Cocojune, Spread the Love, Edison Grainery, RW Garcia, Shady Maple Farms, Pacific Rim, Coast Tropical and Crystal Creamery.
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Please join us! Donate to our work. Volunteer with us in the Bay Area. Partner with our efforts. BUY local and organic. Follow the journey @ConsciousKitchn. Be the change.
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