The Kalamazoo Nature Center is open Monday, September 7 for Labor Day.
Fair Food Matters
The KNC’s Fair Food Matters (FFM) program has partnered with Woodward School (Kalamazoo Public Schools), to improve youth access to healthy foods, nutrition education, and meaningful outdoor learning experiences. Designed to address barriers faced by students in an underserved community, FFM fosters lifelong healthy habits while connecting young people to the natural world through hands-on exploration, food preparation, and environmental education.
As Woodward School transitions to its temporary location, Oakwood Elementary School, FFM is evolving to meet the changing needs of its students while preserving the program’s core mission. The program continues to provide consistent, high-quality educational experiences through classroom instruction, after-school programming, and immersive field experiences.
Contact Us
Laurel Wong Fair Food Matters Coordinator
Club Grub, the after-school enrichment component of FFM, combines food and nutrition education with environmental science concepts, including pollinators, aquatic ecosystems, local agriculture, and ecological stewardship. Lessons encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and healthy decision-making while helping students understand the connections among food systems, personal wellness, and the environment.
Experiential learning is central to every aspect of Fair Food Matters. Students prepare healthy meals and snacks using fresh produce sourced through KNC’s Community Supported Agriculture program, allowing them to experience the journey from farm to table while developing practical cooking skills and confidence in preparing nutritious foods. Activities also extend outdoors through nature exploration, ecological investigations, and field-based learning that reinforce classroom concepts through direct experience.
Students also benefit from Kalamazoo College volunteers who assist with the after-school program and serve as field-trip chaperones. Their involvement provides younger students with additional encouragement, mentorship, and one-on-one support during cooking, environmental education, and outdoor activities. In turn, college volunteers gain valuable experience working directly with children and families, helping prepare them for future careers in education, health, human services, and other community-focused professions.
Through Fair Food Matters, students receive consistent access to fresh produce, nutrition and cooking instruction, and nature-based learning in a welcoming and supportive environment. By meeting students through their school community and providing transportation for experiences at the KNC and other community partners, the program helps ensure that family income, transportation, and other access barriers do not prevent children from participating.
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