Farm to school efforts link local producers with schools and other organizations participating in child nutrition programs working to purchase and include locally grown fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, dairy, and seafood in program meals, as well as efforts that include hands-on education, school gardens, taste tests, farm field trips, and integrating food-related education into classroom curriculum.
Why is Farm to School Important?
Kids Win!
Farm to school efforts help teach children where their food comes from and how food fuels their bodies. It enhances classroom education through hands-on learning, such as school gardens and other educational activities related to food, health, agriculture, and nutrition. These activities ignite excitement around food and this holistic approach to learning enhances the chances for students to adopt these practices beyond the classroom.
Farmers Win!
According to the 2019 Farm to School Census, approximately two-thirds (65 percent) of school food authorities reported participating in farm to school in school year 2018-19. School districts who engaged in farm to school activities said they enjoy positive impacts, including increased support from parents and community members, improved acceptance of and participation in school meals, lower school meal program costs, and less plate waste. Farm to school gives schools and other child nutrition program operators local control and flexibility to offer seasonally available, regionally produced foods on their menu, often sourced directly from local farmers.
Schools Win!
Over two-thirds of school districts engaged in farm to school activities said they enjoy positive impacts, including increased support from parents and community members, improved acceptance of and participation in school meals, lower school meal program costs, and less plate waste. The most popular activities included serving local foods in school meals, holding taste tests and demonstrations using local foods, and conducting student field trips to nearby farms or orchards.
Communities Win!
Farm to school activities strengthen the American economy, in urban and rural areas: for every dollar spent on school food, an additional $0.86 is spent in the local economy1, and schools provide producers stable markets and long-term revenues. Everyone benefits from the linking of communities to their local farmers, ranchers and fishers, farm to school efforts help foster resiliency and sustainability in our food systems by building stronger local connections.
1Ecotrust. The Impact of Seven Cents
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