Communities across the nation are fighting the increased incidence of childhood obesity and Type II diabetes. With funding from USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), a group in Illinois is promoting environmental sustainability and healthy eating habits in young Americans. Seven Generations Ahead's "Fresh from the Farm" program teaches children the health and environmental benefits of eating fresh, locally grown and organic food through nutrition education. The students are exposed to fresh fruits and vegetables at weekly tastings and experience hands-on activities like planting, harvesting and composting on the farm. The goal is for healthy eating habits developed during the program to be carried over into lifelong healthy eating habits. Recent program evaluations indicate that student knowledge about healthy eating and locally grown foods has increased significantly, and parents and students are reporting greater awareness about the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables and are reporting increased consumption of healthy foods.