Farm to School Impacts Gail Feenstra UC Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program

Initial increase in purchase of farm fresh, local foods Greater variety and amounts of local fruits and vegetables served, used in menus Increase in knowledge and value of local foods Results School Food Operational Changes

Initial increase in purchase of farm fresh, local foods

Greater variety and amounts of local fruits and vegetables served, used in menus

Increase in knowledge and value of local foods

Modest increases in farmer income (<5%) Most-direct sales Connections with kids Farm tours for kids Classroom activities Greater connections with community Results Farm Sale Transactions

Modest increases in farmer income (<5%)

Most-direct sales

Connections with kids

Farm tours for kids

Classroom activities

Greater connections with community

Results Community/Family Impacts [Center for Rural Studies, Vermont] Child shared info with family (40%) Changed family’s eating habits (14%) Community awareness about more fresh produce distribution in schools (86% of town meeting) Support for more purchases from local farms (97%)

Child shared info with family (40%)

Changed family’s eating habits (14%)

Community awareness about more fresh produce distribution in schools (86% of town meeting)

Support for more purchases from local farms (97%)

Community Impacts Factors that Contribute to Success Leadership development Complementary partnerships Diverse stakeholders, community partners Creative, resourceful use of assets Community farm-to-school teams Leverage local policy development

Leadership development

Complementary partnerships

Diverse stakeholders, community partners

Creative, resourceful use of assets

Community farm-to-school teams

Leverage local policy development

Future Research Needs Research on food service staff Role of teachers in changing consumption Factors leading to sustained high participation in F2S Dietary changes sustained at home Relationship of F2S and concrete health outcomes

Research on food service staff

Role of teachers in changing consumption

Factors leading to sustained high participation in F2S

Dietary changes sustained at home

Relationship of F2S and concrete health outcomes

Future Research Needs Plate waste studies Farmer impacts (other than financial) Role of policy and impact on F2S viability Impact of F2S on communities (and reverse) Longitudinal data on health outcomes

Plate waste studies

Farmer impacts (other than financial)

Role of policy and impact on F2S viability

Impact of F2S on communities (and reverse)

Longitudinal data on health outcomes