November 6, 2024
Nov. 6, 2024, Helena, Mont. - St. Peter’s Health Foundation has been awarded a $239,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to support its Community Coordinated Harvest of the Month Program. This collaborative effort aims to advance agricultural education and improve children’s nutritional health. The funding will allow St. Peter’s and its partners to expand programming and impact across local schools, promoting hands-on food, garden, and nutrition education while strengthening connections between local farms and schools.
The program, led by St. Peter’s Harvest of the Month Community Coordinator Kim Lloyd, focuses on engaging students in nutrition lessons, including taste tests of locally sourced foods, school garden development, and farm-to-school curriculum integration. The grant will also facilitate further community engagement through partnerships with local farmers, food pantries, and public schools, ensuring that the program benefits not only students but the broader community.
“We’re thrilled to receive this support from our national partners,” said Lloyd. “This grant allows us to deepen our impact on children’s health and wellness by connecting them to where their food comes from and how it impacts their overall well-being. Through this program, we’re helping to shape lifelong healthy habits for children in our community.”
Since its inception in 2021, St. Peter’s Harvest of the Month program has operated in partnership with Helena Public Schools, Carroll College, Kids Nutrition Coalition, Helena Food Share, and Montana State University. Together, they aim to improve food security, promote local food sourcing, and expand nutrition education in the community.
Rex Weltz, Superintendent of Helena Public Schools, says the program brings invaluable resources into Helena schools. “Our students are learning not just about food and nutrition, but also the vital role agriculture plays in our community,” said Weltz. “We’re proud to be part of an initiative that promotes healthier lifestyles for our students.”
St. Peter’s Lifestyle Medicine Specialist Dr. David Krainacker echoes the importance of early nutrition education. “Teaching children about healthy eating and where their food comes from is essential for their long-term health,” said Krainacker. “Programs like this are crucial in preventing chronic diseases and supporting a culture of wellness in our community.”
Helena Food Share Program Operations Director Kim Dale also spoke to the broader benefits of the program, noting that it goes beyond the classroom. “It connects families with locally grown, nutritious foods and creates stronger relationships between schools, local producers, and organizations,” said Dale. “It’s exciting to see how these efforts enrich the health and well-being of children and families throughout our community.”
This grant will also support a Harvest of the Month AgCorps service member in partnership with the Montana Department of Agriculture, and will allow the program to be evaluated externally, led by Montana State University’s Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center (AHEC), to ensure that the impact of the program is measured and shared with the community.
USDA NIFA’s investment in this initiative is part of a broader effort to increase access to high-quality school meals and agricultural education. NIFA’s support will help ensure that more children in the greater Helena area have access to the knowledge and resources they need to lead healthier lives.