From the Roots to the School

NEW Hmong Professionals: Introducing Hmong Cultural Foods to the school systems

 

NEW Hmong Professionals is working with the Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub, to help address healthy eating and wellness for Hmong students through cultural foods. This initiative is focused on system changes that will spur local economies, strengthen local food systems and create more nutritious and culturally specific meals for Hmong students. This project aligns with our commitment to promoting healthy eating habits, celebrating the cultural diversity of our communities, and ensuring that all students have access to meals that nourish both their bodies and minds, and their cultural connections.

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In this project, NEW Hmong Professionals will introduce different cultural foods to Hmong students through surveys and community engagement events with students, educators and parents around availability, access, and the importance of cultural foods in the school system. Engagement activities will consist of cooking demonstrations, intergenerational focus groups, tasting events, and cultural exchange celebrations in the school district. Additionally, we plan to work closely with the Hmong American Immersion School (HAIS) in integrating Hmong cultural foods into their curriculum and meals for Hmong students. By actively involving students and families in the planning and implementation of our project, we hope to empower them in embracing challenges and leveraging opportunities around cultural foods.

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Concurrently, NEW Hmong Professionals will collaborate with Hmong farmers to create a Hmong Farmers Food Hub where local Hmong farmers will receive training on cultivating produce and wholesaling to schools, Hmong restaurants, and Hmong grocery stores.  By supporting Hmong farmers in scaling their businesses, we can help them establish a robust farm to table process that provides a more enriching and inclusive school meal experience for Hmong students while contributing to the growth and viability of local food systems.