Children of the Rainbow Early Learning and Development Centers are proud recipients of the Farm to School Grant, an exciting initiative that brings meaningful, hands-on nutrition education directly to our students. Through this grant, we are creating practical learning experiences that help children understand the importance of healthy food choices from an early age.
Our thoughtfully designed curriculum introduces students to where food comes from, how it is grown, and the journey it takes to reach their plates. Through interactive activities, children explore how to prepare simple, healthy foods while developing confidence and curiosity in the kitchen. These lessons make nutrition tangible, engaging, and age-appropriate.
In addition to learning about food itself, students are introduced to the many careers connected to the food system. From farmers and chefs to distribution professionals and marketing specialists, children gain early exposure to the wide range of roles that bring food from farm to table. This helps broaden their understanding of community, teamwork, and opportunity.
All of this learning is brought to life through fun, hands-on experiences that spark creativity and exploration. Each lesson concludes with a lively “Fun Farm Friday” activity, where students celebrate what they’ve learned through themed projects, tastings, and interactive group experiences.
Through the Farm to School Grant, we are nurturing not only healthy habits, but also curiosity, confidence, and a deeper appreciation for the world of food around them.

The purpose of the CDFA Grant
• Supports projects that cultivate equity and expand access to healthy, local foods in educational settings.
• Promotes hands-on nutrition and agriculture education for students from early care through K-12.
• Encourages sustainable food production and climate-resilient practices in local food systems.
• Builds stronger connections between schools/ECE programs and California food producers.
• Fosters scalable and sustainable change in how schools procure and teach about healthy food.