local food ambassador

​​​Kids LOVE taste tests and their input counts!

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​​The Local Food Ambassador program is offered as part of the RI Farm to School Network.  We are creating a volunteer network of Local Food Ambassadors to conduct school cafeteria taste tests to raise awareness and support for Farm to School within the school community, as well as increase exposure and consumption of locally grown produce in our schools. 
Local Food Ambassador program in action
​at Agnes Little Elementary in Pawtucket
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​Children’s taste buds are continually changing and they need to be exposed to a new food multiple times to determine if they like it, or they may grow to like it. Cafeteria taste tests are a great way to introduce new foods in a fun, exciting and pressure-free environment. ​

​Schools interested in making healthy changes can then add the popular food items to the regular menu without the worry of excess food waste.  
Through the LFA program, we conduct an on-the-job training session during school lunch periods to teach volunteers (parents, grandparents, school committee members, community members, etc.) how to work with district food service to organize and plan a taste test.  


We provide a step-by-step toolkit to guide volunteers through the process for subsequent taste tests, and they become pros in no time!
Let's promote our kids' health and expand their palates with nutritious fruits and veggies prepared many different ways, and let's promote our farmers and economy by encouraging local purchasing for school meals!
For more information or to bring the LFA program to your school,
​contact Karin Wetherill at karin.wetherill@rihsc.org 
We developed a Local Food Ambassador Toolkit as a step-by-step guide to help
​volunteers organize and publicize cafeteria tast tests of locally grown, farm-fresh foods.

local food ambassador ​gallery

Bristol Warren
Burrillville
Chariho
Cumberland
East Greenwich
Narragansett
North Providence
North Smithfield
Pawtucket
Smithfield
South Kingstown
Westerly