The Fresh from the Farm project is a collaborative initiative between the Ontario Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Dietitians of Canada, and Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association to provide healthy fundraising options for Ontario schools. It involves schools selling bundles of fresh Ontario produce to raise money. In its pilot year, 70 schools participated, distributing over 115,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables and raising $128,000, with 40% going to schools and 50% to Ontario farmers. Pending a positive evaluation, the program aims to expand to more schools across Ontario.

1. November 18, 2013
Bring Food Home Conference

2. Fresh from the Farm,
Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools
• Healthy choice fundraiser
• Selling Ontario fruit and vegetables
• Collaborative initiative:
o Ministry of Education
o Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
o Dietitians of Canada
o Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association

3. Fresh from the Farm,
Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools
• Modeled after the successful Farm to School, Manitoba
Healthy Choice Fundraiser.
• Beginning in 2010, school Enrolment has grown from 66 in the
pilot year to 432 in year three (includes day care).
• In 2012, the program supplied families with approximately
900,000 pounds of Manitoba produce.

4. Fresh from the Farm,
Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools
Why is the Fresh from the Farm Project so important?
• Raises awareness about the important role good nutrition
plays in the development and well-being of children and
youth.
• Provides opportunities for introducing the related topics of
agriculture, food, and healthy eating into the classroom.
• Helps to create a more supportive nutrition environment in
schools.

5. Fresh from the Farm,
Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools
• Aligns with PPM 150: Ontario’s School Food and
Beverage Policy.
• Provides healthy fundraising/profits for schools.
• Serves to stimulate Ontario’s economy
through the promotion and sales of fresh,
Ontario fruit and vegetables.

6. Fresh from the Farm,
Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools
Participation
• 10 School Boards in Northern and
South-western Ontario were invited to
participate in the pilot.
• Chosen based on existing assets (e.g. champion, distribution)
through the delivery of complementary programming.

7. Fresh from the Farm,
Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools
Offered two bundles of Ontario fruit
and vegetables as follows:
• Bundle A, $10.00
o 5 lb Potatoes, 3 lb Carrots,
3 lb Onions, 1 lb Parsnips
• Bundle B, $20.00
o 8 lb box of Apples

8. Fresh from the Farm,
Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools
Profit/Costing Model
• 40% of sales go directly to the school
• 50% of sales are returned to Ontario’s
farmers
• 10% is returned to Fresh from the
Farm for program sustainability.

9. Fresh from the Farm,
Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools
* Francis H. Clergue Public School, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

10. Fresh from the Farm,
Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools
Results
• 70 schools participated in the pilot.
• 115, 000 pounds of Ontario fruit and
vegetables was distributed to Ontario
families.
– 53,000 pounds in the south, and 62,000
pounds in the north.
• $128,000 raised by Ontario schools – approximately $48,000
kept by Ontario schools, $68,000 returned to Ontario growers,
and $12,000 retained by Fresh from the Farm.

11. Fresh from the Farm,
Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools
Next Steps
• Project evaluation to be conducted in December 2013
• Pending the evaluation outcome, consideration will be given
to growing the program through targeted expansion to other
school boards / regions across Ontario.

12. Fresh from the Farm,
Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools
The Fresh from the Farm Advisory Committee appreciates the
cooperative efforts of the school communities, public health
teams, and Ontario growers who have enthusiastically embraced
this innovative pilot project, supporting schools to fundraise
healthier in 2013!
Thank you...

13. Fresh from the Farm,
Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools
For more information visit:
• www.eatrightontario.ca/en/freshfromthefarm
• www.eatrightontario.ca/fr/freshfromthefarm