Holly Godfrey is the Director of two early childcare education programs in the Upper Valley: Creative Spirit Children’s Center in West Fairlee, and Maple Leaf Children’s Center in Thetford. This year, with the help of Willing Hands, and funding from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Holly and the teachers at these programs were able to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to the tables at their centers from nearby Crossroad Farm. This seasonal abundance of local food was educational, nutritious, and delicious!
Holly explained how much this food has benefitted the children and families:
“We’ve really enjoyed being part of the CSA program this year! It’s been such a great addition to our program and something both the children and teachers have really enjoyed.
“I think one of my favorite parts has been watching the kids get excited about trying different foods. We have some children who probably wouldn’t normally try certain fruits or vegetables, but when they’re sitting with their friends and everyone is trying it together, they’re much more willing to give it a chance. Sometimes they love it, sometimes they definitely don’t, but either way it creates a really great learning experience.
“It’s also given us an easy way to talk with the kids about where their food comes from, how things grow, and the farms in our own community. Strawberry season was definitely a favorite!
“For us as a program, having the extra fresh fruits and vegetables has been really helpful too. Feeding a whole center adds up quickly, and being able to offer more fresh, local options to the kids while also supporting local farms has been amazing.
“We’re really thankful that we’ve been able to participate this year and would absolutely love to see this program continue and reach even more childcare programs and children.
The children at Creative Spirit Children’s Center and Maple Leaf Children’s Center also got a chance to peel corn, and make refrigerator pickles to take home and enjoy with their families!
Willing Hands purchased CSA shares at the beginning of this season for both childcare centers with funding awarded by the VT Agency of Agriculture’s “Local Food for Schools and Child Care” program. This has allowed Creative Spirit Children’s Center and Maple Leaf Children’s Center to bring fresh local food from Crossroad Farm to their tables for the kids to experience and enjoy. Willing Hands will seek additional funding to provide the opportunity again for the 2027 growing season – contact Sara (sara@willinghands.org) to learn more!