WANDA Partners with National Farm to School Network

Debuts WANDA’s World at the 10th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference

Albuquerque, New Mexico | December 1–4, 2025

At a moment when the future of food justice, children’s health, and nutrition education hangs in the balance, WANDA (Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics & Agriculture) is proud to announce a landmark partnership with the National Farm to School Network (NFSN) to introduce WANDA’s World at the 10th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

This year’s conference theme, “Rooted in Culture, Forward into the Future,” could not be more aligned with WANDA’s mission. WANDA’s World is an immersive edutainment universe that blends storytelling, science, song, and play to grow a new generation of healthy eaters, readers, and leaders—beginning in early childhood.

From our poster presentation to our interactive exhibit, WANDA’s World invites educators, caregivers, farmers, and policymakers to reimagine food literacy through the lens of culture, community, and joy.

🌾 A Movement Born in Urgent Times

This debut takes place as key federal nutrition programs face unprecedented threats, including proposed cuts to SNAP-Ed and Farm to School funding outlined in the 2025 “Make America Healthy Again (MAHA)” report. These cuts could weaken support for the more than 25 million children who rely on school meals and food education programs each year. Now more than ever, investing in joyful, culturally grounded learning isn’t just innovative—it’s essential.

WANDA Founder Tambra Raye Stevenson, MPH, MA reminds us why this work matters:

“Our partnership with the National Farm to School Network is about restoring the dignity, joy, and justice in how our children learn to love food. We’re giving our youngest learners the right to experience the fullness of farm-to-health: to know where their food comes from, to honor the hands that grow it, and to see themselves reflected in the stories, flavors, and traditions that nourish us. Every child deserves a joyful, culturally rooted food education — and together, we’re planting that future.”

NFSN Co-Executive Director Miguel Villareal echoed this commitment:

“We’re thrilled to partner with WANDA and bring Little WANDA’s dynamic storytelling to the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference. Together, we’re expanding what it means to nourish children—connecting culture, community, and healthy food with the local farmers, food producers, and values-driven practices that ground our movement.”

🎭 What to Expect from WANDA at the Conference

Throughout the 10th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference, WANDA will showcase the full breadth of WANDA’s World edutainment model, including:

🎤 Workshop:

“From Storytime to Suppertime: Little WANDA’s Farm to Health Edutainment Model for Growing Healthy Eaters, Readers & Leaders” is a dynamic session that explores how storytelling, sensory play, and culture-centered nutrition education can transform early childhood learning environments.

🖼️ Poster Presentation:

A case study that documents WANDA’s World journey from a bilingual children’s book and muppet to a multimedia learning ecosystem anchored by the patented Little WANDA character and her BFFs.

🎪 WANDA’s World Exhibit Experience:

A multisensory booth featuring:

• Little WANDA muppet

• Music and animation

• Picture bilingual books

• Farm-to-health activities

• Kid-friendly cultural food stations

• Partner highlights from farmers, educators, and community leaders

  
  

Together, these elements immerse attendees in the WANDA methodology: culture is medicine, food is freedom, and learning should feel like joy.

🌍 Why This Work Matters Now

A 2025 policy update from NFSN revealed that 100+ state-level policy proposals related to farm-to-school, local food procurement, and nutrition education have already been introduced this year. Despite this momentum, inconsistent federal investment threatens to undermine long-term progress and equity.

WANDA’s World is more than a program—it’s a cultural intervention. It is a space where children:

• see themselves in the food story

• learn the power of their cultural heritage

• connect food to health, healing, and hope

• understand that our food systems rely on real people

• discover that joy is a fundamental right, especially at the table

  
  

Through our partnership with NFSN, we are building the bridge between farm and classroom, classroom and culture, culture and health.

🌟 Call to Action: Join Us in Planting a WANDA-ful Future

You can help us expand WANDA’s World to more classrooms, more families, and more communities. Here’s how:

✔️ Educators: Bring WANDA’s World to your school or early childhood center.

✔️ Farmers & Food Leaders: Partner with us to uplift local and cultural foods.

✔️ Parents & Caregivers: Download resources and bring Little WANDA into your home.

✔️ Funders & Supporters: Sponsor WANDA’s World to help us reach more children.

✔️ Advocates: Protect Farm to School funding and nutrition education programs nationwide.

✨ Together, we can ensure every child has the right to learn, lead, and love food—from farm to health.

🌺 About WANDA

WANDA: Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics & Agriculture is a global nonprofit movement transforming the food system by empowering women and girls to lead change in their communities. From Little WANDA to NOURISH, WANDA blends storytelling, science, and sisterhood to advance food justice and health equity across the African diaspora.

Learn more: iamwanda.org

🌱 About National Farm to School Network

The National Farm to School Network (NFSN) connects children to healthy, local food and supports equitable food systems in schools, early care, and other institutions across the country. NFSN ensures every child has access to nourishing food and meaningful food education rooted in community, culture, and justice.

Learn more: farmtoschool.org