Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control. These numbers are particularly alarming because they reflect a dangerous trend in our country’s most important population: our children.

One nationwide initiative that aims to connect schools and local farms in an effort to serve healthy meals in school cafeterias and improve overall student nutrition is called Farm to School. The Georgia Organics Farm to School Program revolves around the 4Cs: classroom, cafeteria, culinary, and community, and the curriculum is designed to focus students' attention on gardening, food, and nutrition.

In an effort to increase awareness about healthy eating, Georgia Organics is encouraging schools across Georgia to celebrate all things carrots during the month of October. Rooting for Carrots is a state-wide celebration to get kids eating, growing and participating in carrot-themed activities.

“We chose carrots this year because they are a tasty powerfood that kids can eat raw or cooked, and they come in surprising colors like red, purple and yellow,” says Erin Crooms, Farm to School Director at Georgia Organics, “Carrots also provide a great platform for teaching: pulling a mysterious root out of the ground, exploring the sense of the sound of the carrot crunch, and researching all the varieties of carrots in seed catalogs.”

To participate in Rooting for Carrots at your school, go to the Georgia Organics website to sign-up and you will receive free electronic resources to help you plan and implement your activities. Resources include standards-based lesson plans, recipes, a step-by-step guide on conducting a carrot taste test, activities, videos, school garden planting and harvesting information, and more!

The first 400 people to sign-up will get a free packet of carrot seeds and a Georgia Planting and Harvest Calendar for school gardens. Share your Rooting for Carrots pictures on social media with #RootingforCarrots and win a prize for posting the most photos.

“Children usually need to try foods 7-15 times before they decide if they like a new food, and these opportunities can help create a foundation for good health for the rest of their life,” Crooms explains.

According to the Georgia Organics website, students involved in comprehensive Farm to School programs choose more fruits and vegetables in the cafeteria, and consume more fruits and vegetables through farm to school meals (+.99 - 1.3 servings/day) and at home. The program builds students’ interest in trying new foods and healthier options, while using hands-on experiential learning.

The most successful Farm to School programs have buy-in from all school stakeholders, including the school nutrition staff, teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community members. To make it easier for teachers, Georgia Organics has a high school curriculum for Organic Gardening that can be downloaded and adjusted to suit the needs of classrooms. They have a sample Farm to School curriculum for K-5th grade teachers.

Georgia Organics has included some exemplars of how some teachers have linked farm to school into their own standards. Additionally, Georgia Organics Farm to School program provides train-the-trainer workshops to teachers, parents, and school cafeteria staff.

To showcase your Rooting for Carrots projects or to get inspired, check out all of the excitement on #RootingforCarrots!