This document summarizes components of farm to school programs and their benefits. It provides examples of farm to school programs in different states, including Vermont, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Washington. Farm to school programs connect schools with local farms to serve fresh, locally-grown food in cafeterias. They integrate nutrition education and help support local farmers and the local economy. The document encourages getting started with small activities like taste tests and tours before implementing a full farm to school program.

1. National Farm to School Network Debra Eschmeyer Cuyahoga County School Built Environment Conference November 13, 2009 Transform the Tray

2. Let’s add some color!

3. Session Take-Aways Components of a Farm to School program Resources to engage communities

4. 8 Regional Lead Agencies Training & Technical Assistance Policy Networking Media & Marketing Information Services 2000+ programs in 42 states

6. Health: Kids Win The choice of healthier options in the cafeteria through farm to school meals results in consumption of more fruits and vegetables with an average increase of one serving per day, including at home.

7. Agriculture: Farmers Win Farm to School programs can open up the expansive school food market, estimated at more than $12 billion a year, to socially disadvantaged farmers.

8. Economy: Communities Win For every dollar spent on local foods in schools, one to three dollars circulate in the local economy.

9. Student: Why don’t we get fresh lettuce and local watermelon at school lunch ? Parent Food Service Director Principal National Food Distributor School Board Food Processor Teacher Nutritionist Contracted Food Service Provider

10. Inputs Food Consumption Food Distribution Food Processing Ingredient Production Natural Resources Waste and Recycling Food Transformation Schools Contracts with food manufacturers commissary kitchens prepared foods Contracts with national distributors and fast food chains Minimal preparation mostly heated and served surplus commodities from USDA constant and consistent supply

11. Food Consumption Food Distribution Food Processing Local / Regional Farmers / Ranchers Natural Resources Waste and Recycling Food Transformation School Local slaughterhouses Local food preservation Local commissary kitchen Regional aggregation sites and direct sales Seasonally-based cooking with all local menus direct partnerships with farmers for purchasing onsite growing contracted growing and farm visits by teachrs, students, and school food service staff school gardens classroom cooking , nutrition education, taste tetsts farm-based field studies Local foods in cafeterias Lesser food waste, reusables, compostable food trays, increased awareness Less pesticide / chemical use on land, water, air, less energy used Care for natural resources Healthier, local , less processed foods, Consumer knows where food is coming from

12. “ Farm to School programs connect school food with local agriculture to create a strategy that increases the profitability of farming, improves the quality of school meals, and re- create relationships in the community among consumers and the people who grow their food. ”

13. Fresh, local foods served in cafeterias

14. School Gardens

15. Cooking and Taste Tests

16. Farm tours

17. Nutrition and Agriculture Education

18. Family Meals Food – Culture Connections

19. Waste Management Programs

20. Farm to School: VERMONT Vermont FEED (Food Education Every Day) A community-based approach to school food systems change through 3 C’s: Classroom, Cafeteria, and Community 10 years and over 150 Vermont schools Farm to school movement in Vermont is building on food system partnerships and relationships: – farmers and food service - distributors and farmers – schools and communities - government and non-profit

21. Farm to School: PENNSYLVANIA The Kindergarten Initiative www.thefoodtrust.org Healthy Snacks made with locally sourced fruit, vegetable, grain and dairy products Integration of Nutrition and Agriculture Education Parent outreach and involvement activities Educational Farm Trips 2004 , 4 schools, 1 district 2009- 67 schools, 10 districts, 3 states

22. Farm to School: FLORIDA New North Florida Cooperative Farmer-led: 60-100 farmers 72 School Districts 1,000,000 students Leafy greens, sweet potato sticks, green beans, watermelon, okra, strawberries, muscadine

23. Farm to School: WASHINGTON 2002 one school, Olympia District, organic salad bar, local purchasing Fruit and Vegetable consumption increased 30%, participation 16% Washington State Department of Agriculture, Office of State Procurement, Environmental Council To protect farmland, improve kid’s health, and reduce energy and waste, all by promoting local foods March of 2008 – Local Farms-Healthy Kids HB 2798 / SB 6483 passes

24. Local Farms-Healthy Kids Act Policy alliance was spearheaded by environmental group with farm preservation, public health, anti-poverty advocates Comprehensive legislation: 2 Full Time positions to coordinate local food procurement inside of Departments of Ag and Education Requires all state food contracts to include a plan to maximize the availability of Washington grown food purchased through the contract. Expands and increases funding for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program- WIC and low-income seniors Washington Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program to low-income schools Farmers Market Technology Program- for wireless EBT cards Food Bank Pilot for fresh, locally grown product

25. Local Product used in: - salad bars -hot entrees / other meal items -snack in classroom -taste tests -fundraisers Educational Activities: - chef/farmer in class, cooking demos -greenhouses, waste management, recycling, and -composting -farm tours -harvest of the month -CSA in the classroom -School gardens Implementing Farm to School

26. Let’s Get Started! - Start small—taste testing, farm tour, apples - Organize various stakeholders/hold a meeting - Research area farmers - Contact food service director and school administration - Identify funding sources - Market the program - Volunteer

28. www.farmtoschool.org Debra Eschmeyer [email_address] 419-753-3412