Sheltering Arms has announced it will be hosting the sixth in a series of thought leadership panel discussions on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, at the Sheltering Arms Center at Barack and Michelle Obama Academy. The topic will be on farm to early care and education, formerly known as farm to preschool.
 
Cocktails & Conversation engages industry experts and professionals in an intimate networking environment to discuss trends in early childhood education that could impact service to children and families. During the next event, attendees will watch a healthy cooking demonstration by Pre K-12 health educator and professional chef Asata Reid and share in an interactive discussion about farm to school activities that are taking place in early learning environments, which support healthy development and offer extensive benefits to young children.
 
“Through the Georgia Farm to ECE program, our little ones will get early exposure to healthy, local foods in a variety of ways - through meals and snacks, taste tests, gardening, field trips and so much more,” said Blythe Keeler Robinson, president and CEO of Sheltering Arms. “This is a common topic of discussion for K-12 programs, but it’s not often addressed in early learning centers when a child’s brain development, and taste buds, are most critical.”
 
The panel discussion will cover food-based activities and strategies, including hands-on connections and parent and community education and engagement. It will be moderated by Blythe Keeler Robinson and feature the following panelists:
 
·         Erin Croom, Owner, Kale Salad Strategies, LLC and Farm to Early Care and Education Coordinator, Georgia Organics

·         Eleni Rigsby, Outreach Coordinator, The Common Market

·         Jon West, Vice President of Programs, Atlanta Community Food Bank
 
Tickets are available for $18.88 per person. For more information about the event, please visit bit.ly/SAConvo18. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served and complimentary parking will be available.