​This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program- SNAP-Ed.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Cooking Matters

What Care Providers Can Expect:

  • Twice a month you will order and receive seasonal, fresh produce from The Common Market that will be delivered to your site. The purchase will be reimbursable for CACFP participants..
  • You will have access to video trainings, resources and recipes via this website that will reflect the Harvest of the Month produce selections.
  • You will also have two scheduled calls with the Farm to School Coordinator to discuss your experience with the Harvest of the Month including sharing your successes and problem solving issues specific to your child care facility. 


Through the Strong Roots ECE Co-Op, child care providers will benefit from:

  • Discounted rates on fresh, seasonal produce from local growers (Harvest of the Month)
  • FREE delivery of the Harvest of the Month
  • Training to incorporate fresh produce into operations (useage, storage, preparation)
  • CACFP approved recipes using the Harvest of the Month to enhance menus
  • Video training on how to conduct taste tests to increase reception and consumption of fresh produce 
  • Technical assistance on procurement, CACFP compliance and utilization of funds to purchase through the co-op
  • A Classroom Cooking Kit and classroom activities featuring the Harvest of the Month
  • An introduction to establishing your own Farm to ECE program
  • Family engagement resources to build bridges at home. 

Strong Roots Early Care Environments Co-op

We believe fresh food should be available and affordable for all of our neighbors. 

Strong Roots is a buying cooperative for early child care centers and family home care sites to pool their buying power in order to maximize their ability to procure fresh produce from local growers at affordable prices.

We’re here to help.

We all know that eating fruits and vegetables is essential for good health. We also know that most children (and adults) do not eat the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables.Through our decades of experience in feeding kids, families and communities (and backed by a lot of evidence-based research), we’re offering child care providers some of our best practices to encourage kids to consume more fruits and vegetables for better long-term health outcomes.

By forming a cooperative purchasing group, we are working with child care providers to increase the access and affordability of fresh produce. We also offer support and resources to increase the familiarity of fresh produce to children in your care, and we offer training for nutrition staff and teachers to make eating fruits and vegetables an enjoyable experience for your children (and staff). Participants in the Strong Roots ECE Co-Op will receive resources and materials for the classroom and for parent engagement, free delivery of fresh produce to your site, and on-going consultation to support you along the way.