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Community Outreach Coordinator
The Farm to ECE Advisory Committee. Photo credit: Jason Hill
We are honored to share audio stories from the seven members of the Farm to ECE Advisory Committee.
Members of the advisory committee are inspiring advocates for systems change at the intersections of food and early childhood. They are fully committed to improving the lives of communities in holistic ways that honor the culture, diverse needs, and aspirations of children in their care. They lovingly encourage the continued support of their work and hope to inspire others to join them in it.
The advisors can be reached at Farm2ECE@ecotrust.org.
Early Head Start Education Training and Development Coordinator/CDA Advisor, Albina Head Start, Inc.
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It’s my job as the teacher to introduce new things to the kids, but I never thought about how that affected the adults. I was like ‘Oh okay, my own little light bulb moment!’ How can I incorporate the teaching staff that I’m working with, making sure that I’m building them up as well?
Jason Hill
Child Nutrition Coordinator, Adelante Mujeres
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Trust in children. They are a white canvas, and we have the opportunity to throw some seeds in and help them grow. And don’t overlook them. It is true when we say the children are our teachers.
Jason Hill
Bilingual Instructional Coach, Preschool For All, Multnomah Co.
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Eating is not just checking a box. It’s one of the most important moments in the classroom, where you can build connection with the kids… I think we need to remind people to look back inside, find those connections. And see that it’s possible to do it with kids as well.
Jason Hill
ECE Quality and Compliance Coordinator, Adelante Mujeres
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I think one thing has been having schools understand the importance of having nutritious meals that also taste good and that are culturally relevant.
Jason Hill
Early Learning Senior Manager, Early Learning Multnomah Hub · United Way of Columbia-Willamette
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Food has always been one of my focuses. As the education funds get cut year after year, the food the children eat becomes less nutritious and less diverse. That was my major concern.
Jason Hill
Early Childhood Education Specialist: Infant Toddler Network Coordinator · Child Care Resource and Referral of Multnomah County
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I see this work as critical stage-setting for future generations, as well as changing our own mindsets. Nothing has inspired that more than children just being curious. They bring such innocent curiosity that we as adults have really lost.
Jason Hill
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Retired, Former Site Manager at Mt. Hood
Community College Head Start
In early childhood, I think exposure to foods they’ve never eaten or seen or tasted is very important. But on the other side of that is serving food that is familiar to children. So it’s a delicate balance.
Jason Hill
