Farm to ECE is an excellent opportunity for child care centers and homes to welcome families’ input and participation in the school environment. The following family engagement strategies will help to ensure Farm to ECE programs include all the families served.

• Collect family input for garden choices—families may have ideas and requests for what is planted in the school garden
• Survey families to see if they would like to participate in garden work days or help with garden maintenance
• Ask families as they are picking up children to plant one seed or plant in the school garden with their child before going home
• Send extra garden produce home during pick-up time

• Invite families into the classroom to lead cooking activities or simple taste tests with their favorite fresh, local produce
• Invite families to participate in cooking, food safety, and food preparation workshops at the center
• Invite families to Farm to ECE trainings held for staff to further integrate the center’s culture of wellness

• Survey parents about what they would like to see on the school menu for meals and snacks
• Highlight locally-sourced items on child care menus for families to see
• Connect families with local pick-your-own farms and encourage family field trips to pick fresh produce
• Provide local food recipes to parents to try at home

Serve local at family dinners—child care programs will often offer family dinners to engage parents and caregivers, provide information, or to celebrate an event at their school. These events can showcase locally sourced items and be a place to request recipe ideas and menu input from families