Market Research Report: Center for Ecoliteracy
Company Overview
Name: Center for Ecoliteracy
Mission of the Company:
The Center for Ecoliteracy is dedicated to cultivating education for the sustainability of people and the planet. They envision a world where all students experience and understand how nature sustains life and are inspired to live in ways that benefit people and the environment. This mission is pursued through transformational experiences in the classroom, cafeteria, and garden that educate students about the food system and its connection to the environment.
Date Founded: 1995
Founders:
- Fritjof Capra: Author and systems thinker
- Peter Buckley: Business leader, farmer, and philanthropist
- Zenobia Barlow: Pioneer in creating models of schooling for sustainability
Key People:
- Alexa Norstad: Executive Director
Headquarters:
David Brower Center
2150 Allston Way, Suite 270
Berkeley, CA 94704-1377
Number of Employees: No information is available
Revenue: No information is available
What the Company is Known For:
The Center for Ecoliteracy is known for advancing change in TK–12 education and school food systems to support students and the people who nourish them. They are recognized for their work in systems change, ecological education, and policy and advocacy related to sustainable school food systems.
Products
California Food for California Kids® Initiative
Description:
The initiative supports school districts in providing students with fresh, local school meals and educational experiences that connect the classroom, cafeteria, and garden. As a network, it reaches more than two million students and provides one-third of school meals served in California each year.
Key Features:
- Support for over 130 public school districts across California.
- Focuses on fresh, local school meals.
- Advocates for educating students about the food system and its environmental connections.
Books and Educational Resources:
The Center for Ecoliteracy has authored or co-authored nine books, including:
- Transforming School Food Politics Around the World: Explores how to challenge and transform public school food programs with insights from eight countries.
- Ecological Literacy: Educating Our Children for a Sustainable World
- Smart by Nature: Schooling for Sustainability
- Ecoliterate: How Educators Are Cultivating Emotional, Social, and Ecological Intelligence
- Rethinking School Lunch Guide: A planning framework for school districts nationwide.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive guides and frameworks for integrating ecological literacy and sustainability into education.
- Focus on practical solutions and systems change for sustainable school food programs.
Educational Programs and Events:
- School Food Innovator Series: Virtual gatherings for school nutrition professionals focused on building resilient school food systems in California.
- Farm to School Education: Programs that connect local farms and schools to provide students with locally-sourced food in the cafeteria, classroom, and school garden.
- Eating Learning Growing: Resources for culturally relevant farm to school education.
Recent Developments
New Products Launched:
- Transforming School Food Politics Around the World: This compilation of essays from editors explores successful strategies for challenging and transforming public school food programs. The Center for Ecoliteracy contributed a chapter on their advocacy efforts for universal school meals in California.
New Features Added:
- No information is available about specific new features added to existing products.
New Partnerships:
- The Center for Ecoliteracy maintains strategic relationships with key state agencies, school districts, nonprofit organizations, policymakers, and leaders to amplify individual efforts through collective impact.
Continuous Initiatives:
School Meals for All Act (2021):
The Center for Ecoliteracy was a co-sponsor of the Free School Meals for All Act, making California the first state to adopt universal school meals permanently.
Planting Seeds, Plantando Semillas:
An initiative to connect the classroom, cafeteria, and garden for young learners to develop a lifelong love for California-grown fruits and vegetables. The program includes bilingual teaching and learning resources such as classroom activities, recipes, and gardening kits.
Conclusion
The Center for Ecoliteracy is a pioneering organization in promoting sustainable education and transforming school food systems. Through their educational initiatives, resources, and strong advocacy, they continue to support the nourishment and ecological literacy of students across California. Their focus remains on fostering sustainable practices in educational environments by connecting the cafeteria, classroom, and garden.