Stakeholders Across the City Share Support for the FoodPrints Program
As District of Columbia leaders build the city budget for 2026, FRESHFARM FoodPrints stakeholders are voicing their support with first-hand accounts of how joyful food education positively impacts their children and students. Across the city, our stakeholders-turn-advocates see the tremendous value in how FoodPrints supports academic learning, fosters social-emotional development, builds community, and empowers the next generation of food citizens.
Thank you to the more than 60 stakeholders across the city who wrote letters to city leaders last January. In these letters, students, parents, teachers, and administrators shared the many reasons why they value FoodPrints and urged city leaders to continue supporting food education through FoodPrints in the city budget.
Read excerpts of these powerful messages below:
Parents Value the Community and Support that FoodPrints Brings to Schools
“Each class captures his imagination and has absolutely made him more interested in meal prep and taking care of our ecosystem.” – Parent, Marie Reed Elementary School
“My kids are picky eaters, and my son started eating kale salad because he tasted it in FoodPrints, which was HUGE for us!”
– Parent, Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School
“Without FoodPrints, my school also would not have this valuable opportunity for its parents and families to participate in their student’s education, meet a wide range of students, and better get to know administrators, teachers, and families.”
– Parent, Burroughs Elementary School
“This program… allows all students to feel ‘success’ during the day. Students who may not be the star in the academic classroom might be the star in a program like this. It can help students to see—and appreciate—their peers in a new light.” – Parent, John Francis Education Campus
Teachers and Staff View FoodPrints As Imperative to School Community and Student Learning and Development
“The FoodPrints staff not only feed our students’ and teachers’ stomachs, but they really feed the soul of the school.” – Staff, Kimball Elementary School
“Many of my students have sensory sensitivities and food aversions, making mealtimes and nutrition education particularly challenging. Through FoodPrints, my students are learning to be more adventurous and open-minded about trying new foods.” – Teacher, CW Harris Elementary School
“Students…connect their math and science learning with their experiences in FoodPrints as they adjust and scale recipes and instructions to achieve different outcomes with their food. In this way, they answer their own questions of ‘when will I use this?’ because they see that through cooking, they use these skills every day!” – Teacher, Truesdell Elementary School
“FoodPrints offers opportunities that go beyond academics. It helps build social-emotional skills, confidence, and a deeper connection to the world around them. Without FoodPrints, our students would lose a critical tool for engagement and learning. Programs like this are not just a bonus; they are essential for creating equitable opportunities for all students, particularly those in special education.” – Teacher, John Francis Education Campus
“FoodPrints has a great effect on our students’ reasoning, their care for the earth, and gaining knowledge of healthy food options.” – Teacher, Kimball Elementary School
“A través del aprendizaje en huertos escolares y clases de cocina, los niños adquieren conocimientos esenciales sobre nutrición, sostenibilidad y trabajo en equipo. Esto no solo apoya su desarrollo académico, sino que también contribuye a su bienestar socioemocional.” -Teacher, Powell Elementary School
“Through learning in school gardens and cooking classes, kids gain essential knowledge about nutrition, sustainability, and teamwork. This not only supports their academic development, but contributes to their social-emotional well-being.” -Teacher, Powell Elementary School
Students Convey the Value of FoodPrints from their Perspective
“FoodPrints is an awesome program that lots of kids in DC love! We get to learn by cooking, gardening, and working together, which makes school really fun. It helps us be healthier and kinder to our friends and our community.” – Third grader, Marie Reed Elementary School
“FoodPrints is important at my school because it is part of my heart. Without it, I feel sad.” – Fifth grader, Amidon Bowen Elementary School
“We get to try so many new foods and learn about them! One of my favorite foods that we made there is chocolate chip and pumpkin bread! I sometimes make it for breakfast at my house. Even my parents like it. Some kids think that only sweets are good, but FoodPrints shows you that healthy food can be delicious too!” – Fifth grader, John Francis Education Campus
