SAEM is pleased to partner with 7 elementary schools, a middle school and a high school in Salem and western Roanoke County to implement a student-led food pantry currently serving over 175 families each week. The food pantries increase access to healthy foods that provide a “student-choice” design where students shop from a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy staples and provide feedback. The food pantries are supported by school-based food drives and community food collection.
The school food pantries are guided by a student council and continuously stocked by donations from local congregations, businesses, community groups and individuals. In addition, the project focuses on creating policy change that refocuses anti-hunger efforts to allow students to tackle obesity and food insecurity. This is done through setting collection guidelines to include foods based on low-fat, low-sugar, and low sodium options. The student pantry council creates a written policy for the governance of the food pantry and "bring-a-food" event admission policies.
The school food pantries are guided by a student council and continuously stocked by donations from local congregations, businesses, community groups and individuals. In addition, the project focuses on creating policy change that refocuses anti-hunger efforts to allow students to tackle obesity and food insecurity. This is done through setting collection guidelines to include foods based on low-fat, low-sugar, and low sodium options. The student pantry council creates a written policy for the governance of the food pantry and "bring-a-food" event admission policies.
PLANNING, DEVELOPING and IMPLEMENTING SCHOOL GARDENS
During the past year, SAEM, Salem City Schools and the Virginia Cooperative Extension researched the implementation and development of school gardens within the Salem schools.
As part of the VFHY (Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth) HCAT grant program, SAEM received grant funds to plan, develop and implement school gardens at 2 elementary schools in Salem (East Salem and G.W. Carver). The three year grant (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026) totaling $93,000 supports the expansion of school gardens for the elementary schools in Salem and western Roanoke County. Funds are used to procure raised garden beds, automated drip irrigation systems, weed control, soil amendments, fertilizer and plants. Grant funds also support development of educational curriculum and operational support provided by on-site School Garden Coordinators selected by the local school. In 2024, two additional schools (South Salem Elementary and Salem High School) will participate in the school garden program.
During the past year, SAEM, Salem City Schools and the Virginia Cooperative Extension researched the implementation and development of school gardens within the Salem schools.
As part of the VFHY (Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth) HCAT grant program, SAEM received grant funds to plan, develop and implement school gardens at 2 elementary schools in Salem (East Salem and G.W. Carver). The three year grant (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026) totaling $93,000 supports the expansion of school gardens for the elementary schools in Salem and western Roanoke County. Funds are used to procure raised garden beds, automated drip irrigation systems, weed control, soil amendments, fertilizer and plants. Grant funds also support development of educational curriculum and operational support provided by on-site School Garden Coordinators selected by the local school. In 2024, two additional schools (South Salem Elementary and Salem High School) will participate in the school garden program.
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