Ep. 73: Adam Kesselman, Executive Director & Board Member of the Center for Ecoliteracy; and Vince Caguin, Director of Nutrition Services & Warehousing @ Natomas Unified School District – Sacramento, CA ||
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On Sourcing Matters episode 73 we welcome Adam Kesselman, Executive Director & board member of the The Center for Ecoliteracy -&- Vince Caguin, Director of Nutrition Services & Warehousing Natomas Unified School District in Sacramento CA.
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Kesselman’s programs encourage schools to teach and model education for sustainable living – beginning with a good diet. The students that Adam and Vince work with have an opportunity to experience and understand how nature sustains life and how to live accordingly. One such program – California Thursdays – now servers over 334 million school meals a year, which accounts for 33% of the school meals in California. Every meal serves California-grown, for California kids – and of which has focus on food quality and integrity from the source. Economists estimate that every dollar spent on local food can generate up to an additional $1.40 in spending, supporting local economies. So, built upon that – what’s it worth to any of us to provide our kids and our neighbor’s kids preventative healthcare and good consumption habits – things that tend to carry-on for a lifetime.
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In our 40 minute discussion we chat about the importance of regional production models, and how to own – our own – provenance. We discuss that we’re not all California! We learn of current initiatives that have seen success; with some home runs in there that could see continued Statewide growth, and capacity for a replicable model for other parts of the US. We learn what keeps their current programs afloat, and what steps they’re taking to motivate diverse stakeholders to partake in these rewarding programs.
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Could the buying power of hundreds or thousands of neighborhood schools be pooled to encourage regional production capacity? What’s the worth of purchase commitments from districtwide buyers? California has demonstrated that you can guarantee supply of fresh, quality and clean food on a school’s budget – through supporting the growth of modern regional farming infrastructure.
TuneIn to hear how about the New School Food plan coming out of California. The approach may very well help you and your region, where ever you live.
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