Fair Oaks, CA, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — Raley’s Family of Fine stores has launched a new program to provide field trips for young students to local livestock cattle ranches and farms. Where Your Foods Grows & Grazes Program strives to create hands-on learning activities in agricultural education, conservation, nutrition, and healthy life styles. In partnership with California Rangeland Trust, Raley’s Where Your Food Grows & Grazes program will bring Sacramento’s Farm-to-Fork movement to life for the next generation.
“When children have a respect for where their food grows and grazes, they are both inspired and empowered to make healthier choices,” said Chelsea Minor, Raley’s Director of Public Relations & Public Affairs. “Many students lack a basic understanding of where fresh food comes from, and even fewer have ever stepped foot onto a farm or ranch. Raley’s is committed to helping our customers understand the connection our communities have with food production.”
This program will connect students with fresh, healthy and local food. Children who experience a farm or ranch will have an enriched understanding of where food comes from.
“The reception from both local schools and ranchers has been overwhelming,” said Randy Gustavus, Corporate and Community Relations Director for California Rangeland Trust. “The ranchers also love that we are bringing students out to learn more about their industry in hopes that they may pursue a career in agriculture.”
The day long, all-inclusive field trips will include the following components:
- Transport participants from local school by bus to a nearby local livestock cattle ranch.
- Introduction to the ranchers and how a cattle ranch operates.
- Knowledge of healthy, local foods.
- A walk through the grasslands to learn about pastures, flowers, wildlife and how they benefit from sound good ranch management practices.
- A healthy lunch and refreshments.
- Visit to a local Raley’s location to learn about fresh food in the grocery store.
The program roll-out will begin in Sacramento & Yolo Counties, benefiting students in the Washington Unified School District, San Juan School District and Sacramento City School District. The program will host six fieldtrips to local California Rangeland properties throughout the fall semester.
“When students from the Culinary Arts and Farm-to-Fork Education program visit a ranch, they will gain an entirely new perspective on the agricultural and food industries,” said Renee Collins, Director of Career and Technical Education, Washington Unified School District. “Being able to meet and interact with industry workers in their work environment is key. We hope students learn about jobs and career paths that they may not have otherwise considered. “
This is the first iteration of our program. Raley’s hopes to continue to work with the California Rangeland Trust and other partners to bring the food production experience to life for youth. The program is expected to expand to other regions Raley’s serves. For more information, please see www.raleys.com/give.
For information about our stores, please contact Chelsea Minor, Director of PR and Public Affairs at CMinor1@raleys.com.
SOURCE: Raley’s Family of Fine Stores