Edible Schoolyard New York

Network schoolsin fall 2015, the network schools program was launched as a way of expanding on our proven demonstration school model to make food education accessible to even more nyc kids. The network schools program is a scalable model that brings edible education to five public schools in the bronx and central brooklyn in partnership with foodcorps. Edible schoolyard nyc works closely with network school staff and communities to build, expand, and maintain gardens, incorporate kitchen and gardening classes into the school day, and promote a culture of wellness through after school, cafeteria, family, and community programming. We collaborate with the school community and other local partners to promote healthy school environments and support each school communities' needs, goals, and resources.

Professional developmentthrough our professional development program, we invite teachers, nonprofit workers, and volunteers from across the city to our demonstration schools to learn the tools and curriculum to incorporate edible education into their own classrooms. Most workshops are free of charge. The demonstrations schools serve as centers of excellence where we can model best practices and methods for a seed-to-table education. Educators leave our professional development workshops with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to build, maintain, and teach from a garden and kitchen classroom.

Program evaluation - the organization is focused extensively on evaluating impact, starting with defining outcomes and using existing research and the organization's experience to inform the work. The current system includes data collection and analysis of both quantitative outputs and outcomes as well as qualitative data. The organization's key outcomes assess students' healthy eating attitudes and behaviors, socio-emotional development, and food and environmental justice commitment; schools' food environment and integration of garden and cooking lessons; and educators' capacity and desire to lead cooking and gardening programming.