DMUSD Students Experience Farmers Market Assemblies Focused on Nutrition and Learning

Del Mar Union School District students recently participated in hands-on and interactive Farmers Market Assemblies hosted by the district’s Child Nutrition Services Department in partnership with Food 4 Thought, LLC. To date, three schools have hosted the assemblies, including Sycamore Ridge School and Ocean Air School on Feb. 12 and Carmel Del Mar School on Feb. 13, with additional school sites scheduled to host assemblies before the end of the school year.

Held outdoors on school blacktops, long tables were arranged and filled with a literal rainbow of fresh produce, from yellow squash and pears to bright orange citrus, red apples, green broccoli, and purple carrots and cabbage. Each session was intentionally designed with varied levels of engagement, integrating nutrition, wellness, math, and science to ensure age-appropriate learning for all students.

Younger students learned how produce is grown and practiced differentiating between fruits and vegetables before selecting a variety of items to take home at no cost to their families. Upper grade students participated in a simulated shopping experience using “Mascot Bucks” instead of real currency. They calculated totals using variables and bonus incentives, such as earning a free extra fruit with the selection of a certain vegetable. The activity blended financial literacy, mathematical thinking, and nutritional awareness in a meaningful, real-world context.

All of the produce was brought in by Food 4 Thought, LLC and sourced from small California farms, reinforcing DMUSD’s Global Citizen competency and commitment to environmental responsibility. “Our district prioritizes locally grown produce from small California farms because it reduces our carbon footprint and ensures fresher food with stronger nutritional value,” said Jamie Phillips, Director of Child Nutrition Services.

Teachers shared overwhelmingly positive feedback about the assemblies. Ocean Air sixth grade teacher Allison Hodges shared, “My class said that was the best assembly they've ever been to."