Portales teacher receives national accreditation

PORTALES — A teacher in Portales received national accreditation for connecting kids to locally grown produce. Patricia Cain, a second grade dual language teacher at James Elementary, was one of 30 that were recognized as 2020 Community Food Champions.

The National Farm to School Network celebrates National Farm to School Month every October since Congress designated it in 2010. This year marks the 10th anniversary of its celebrations, which included “expressing appreciation and amplifying underrepresented voices in order to shift power to these essential workers and create a more just food system,” according to the National Farm to School Network's website.

To be recognized as a Community Food Champion a person must be nominated by members of their community. Other nominees this year included farmers, gardeners, cafeteria workers, gardeners, bus drivers, and others who have helped feed children and their families through local food systems.

Over 200 nominations were made from across the country. The first round, consisting of 13 Community Food Champions, was announced on Oct. 14 and the second round of 17 was announced Oct. 30. Included in their recognition as a Community Food Champion is a $500 honorarium from the National Farm to School Network.

Cain was nominated by Caron Powers, the Healthy Kids Healthy Communities Coordinator for Roosevelt County, for her assistance at the James Elementary School/Community Garden.

A press release by Healthy Kids Roosevelt County said that their organization along with community partners helped to create the James Elementary School/Community Garden “to teach children about growing and eating fresh, healthy food.”

Powers said Cain showed exceptional leadership in overseeing the garden, especially during the pandemic.

“Mrs. Cain recruited volunteers to help keep the garden going after the school had to be closed,” Powers said. “She wanted to make sure that there would be produce growing when the students returned this fall, so she planted all 24 raised beds and maintained them over the summer months.”

While students have not been able to fully return for classes, Cain oversaw the distribution of what was harvested in the garden. Some produce was donated to community partners, and other portions were frozen for future cooking and nutrition activities when in-person instruction resumes.