Massachusetts Profile

The Massachusetts Farm to School Project has been matching up schools and farmers since 2004, helping to create sustainable local foods purchasing relationships. With strong support from the Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources, this grassroots Project has encouraged the growth of preferential local foods purchasing in more than 160 public school districts, as well as at least 40 colleges and private schools. Profitable sales routes for local farmers and affordable purchasing for local schools have developed as we learn more about how to make this food system change possible. Educating school customers about ensuring local foods integrity when purchasing through a conventional distributor has also been important. It's inspiring that school systems as large as Lawrence and Worcester, or as small as Maynard and Plainville have begun to serve fresh local foods in their cafeterias! Click here to view profiles of existing programs.