Escondido Agriculture Learning Program (EALP)

Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP) is leading the Escondido Agriculture Learning Program (EALP), a Farm to School initiative bringing hands-on agricultural education and fresh, local foods to students in the Escondido Union and San Pasqual Union School Districts.

Through EALP, CHIP is implementing a five-session Farm to School curriculum in six schools, connecting students with where their food comes from while promoting healthy eating habits. The curriculum is being reviewed, updated, pilot tested, and evaluated with input from a dedicated Work Group made up of teachers, food service staff, and parent volunteers. These community members will also participate in Train-the-Trainer sessions to support long-term sustainability of the program.

In addition to classroom learning, EALP is working to increase access to locally grown produce in school meals. CHIP staff are partnering with school food service teams to assess menus, identify fresh, local options that meet USDA guidelines, and connect with local farmers through micro-purchasing. Food service staff will also receive culinary and nutrition training through workshops and ongoing technical assistance to help them incorporate fresh, scratch-cooked meals into their daily offerings.

Launched in July 2023 and concluding in June 2025, EALP has built stronger connections between local agriculture, school meals, and student learning in the Escondido community.

San Pasqual Elementary School – Garden Club

Bernardo Elementary

Quantum Academy

Trainings with Chefs Alex and Ron

Farm to School Taskforce

Presentations/guest speakers

• 3/21/25 Meeting – Presentation from Ben Schleifer at the Center for Environmental Health (CEH)
• 1/10/25 Meeting – Grant Writing Panel with Christine Corrao, Carmen Longoria, Amanda Tarantino
• 3/8/24 Meeting – F2S Farmer Panel Discussion with Cathryn Henning, Derek Davis, Nick Stridsberg