Farm-to-Early Care Toolkit

The Healthy Harvest of North Iowa Farm-to-Early Care Toolkit supports early childhood programs in fostering lifelong healthy habits by connecting children with fresh, local foods. Through easy-to-use resources, nutrition focused activities, and guidance on sourcing from local growers, this toolkit helps educators create environments where healthy eating becomes a natural part of daily routines. It’s a practical pathway to nurturing wellbeing from the very start – where children can taste, touch, and experience the richness of North Iowa agriculture in meaningful ways.

Healthy Harvest of North Iowa gratefully acknowledges the support of the North Iowa Children’s Alliance, whose partnership made the Farm‑to‑Early Care toolkit possible.

“North Iowa Children’s Alliance is one of 38 Early Childhood Iowa Areas across the state, serving Cerro Gordo, Hancock and Worth Counties. There are nearly 2,000 days from birth to the first day of Kindergarten. A child’s earliest experiences lay the groundwork for future heath physically, mentally and emotionally. Investing in Iowa’s youth, ages 0-5, helps promote future success in school, the workplace and with building healthy relationships.”

Learning about plants and animals helps young children understand where their food comes from and builds a foundation for appreciating local foods. When children explore how seeds grow, how animals are cared for, and how farms work, they begin to see food as something connected to real places, people, and ecosystems—not just something that appears on a plate. This early awareness supports healthier eating habits, strengthens curiosity about the natural world, and fosters respect for the farmers and environments that make local food possible.

Early exposure to local foods helps young children build healthy habits and curious minds from the very start. When young children taste fruits, vegetables, and snacks grown nearby, they learn to enjoy fresh flavors while discovering where their food comes from. Trying these foods early makes them more open to new tastes as they grow, and it gives their bodies the strong nutrients they need to play and learn. Exploring local foods also helps children feel connected to their community—because each new bite teaches them about the people and places that help their town thrive.

The Find Local Food Map from Healthy Harvest of North Iowa is a powerful tool for helping early care providers connect children to the local foods grown and produced in their own communities.

By using the map, educators can easily locate nearby farms, farmers markets, CSAs, and food businesses, then bring those discoveries directly into the classroom. The map can guide recipe planning by helping teachers choose ingredients that come from local growers, turning simple snacks into lessons about where food comes from. It can also inspire farm visits, field trips, and guest farmer interactions, giving children real‑world experiences with the people who grow their food. Educators can also build activities around exploring the map—such as identifying farms, matching foods to farmers, or planning a pretend shopping trip—to deepen children’s understanding of their local food system.

For inquiries regarding the Farm-to-Early Care Toolkit, please contact connections@healthyharvestni.com