National Resources & Publications
How to Get Started
The Little Green Schoolhouse: Thinking Big About Ecological Sustainability, Childrenby The Green Schools Initiative June 2006
The Little Green Schoolhouse establishes a framework that brings together a variety of school-related environmental health and sustainability issues under one conceptual and strategic roof. It documents how our current school systems are threats to our childrens' health and models of unsustainability. Drawing from a diversity of inspiring efforts going on around the country, the report also presents a broad idealistic vision of what green and healthy schools could look like. And it articulates a series of pragmatic policy recommendations, including organizing to pass school board resolutions that serve as blueprints for sustainable and healthy schools.
How Local Farmers and School Food Service Buyers Are Building Alliances
by Debra Tropp and Surajudeen Olowolayemo USDA
On May 1, 2000, more than 180 individuals - school food service directors, State and Federal commodity procurement officials, Extension agents, members of farm cooperatives, and agricultural marketing specialists - gathered at the Georgetown College Training and Conference Center in Georgetown, KY, to share information and strategies aimed at boosting the use of locally produced fresh food in school feeding programs.? The event, entitled the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Small Farm/School Meals Initiative Southeast Regional Workshop, was cosponsored and organized by the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the USDA, Food and Nutrition Service, the University of Kentucky's Cooperative Extension Service, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.? This report summarizes the educational highlights of the workshop in an effort to help small farmers and school food service buyers throughout the country explore how they might be able to establish similar business relationships in their own communities.
Farm to School: Minnesota Toolkit for Food Service
by University of Minnesota
Farm to school programs are receiving a lot of attention these days. Concern about a rise in obesity and diet-related metabolic disorders among children combined with increased interest in supporting local economies have lots of people thinking hard about the food that kids get in schools. Placing locally-grown food on school lunch plates can help spark students' interest in a healthier diet, get school food service dollars reinvested in the community, and provide concerned parents and administrators with a short, transparent, traceable route that the food traveled from farm to plate.
According to a recent survey of food service directors by the Minnesota School Nutrition Association (www.agobservatory.org/library.cfm?refID=105219), many school food service directors are interested in farm to school programs, but lack time to explore options or implement new strategies. This can be an overwhelming obstacle to a food service director who is already under enormous time and budget constraints. A toolkit of ready-to-use materials could go a long way toward increasing participation in farm to school programs.
The Willmar School District in western Minnesota has gradually incorporated locally purchased food into its cafeteria menu over the last four years. In response to requests to share their information, Annette Hendrickx Derouin (Willmar's Director of Food and Nutrition Services) and Lynn Mader (U of M Extension, Family Development) have been working with the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and an advisory team to develop an online toolkit for Minnesota school nutrition programs. The toolkit contains information and materials to assist in planning a farm to school program; sourcing, preparing, and serving local foods; and promoting the food to students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Ready-to-use items include cafeteria menus and recipes complete with nutritional information, sample newsletter and announcement pieces, posters, and tested methods for getting students to sample the food.
While most of this website toolkit is intended specifically for food service, the website also provides links to resources to learn more about farm to school programs, including classroom and community connections. Check out the website, www.mn-farmtoschool.umn.edu . For more information, contact Lynn Mader, made0036@umn.edu, 612-708-8635.
Mapping School Food: A Policy Guide
by Marlo R. Miura, Jason A. Smith, Jess Alderman Public Health Advocacy Institute December 2007
Improving the school food environment can be a difficult task, and understanding school food law and policy can be a barrier to getting started. Mapping School Food was written to help legislators, advocates, parents, teachers and anyone interested in improving school food navigate school food law and policy.
Mapping School Food is an innovative guide that describes school food policy from the perspective of different personnel in the school system. It also provides tools to help advocates find answers, resolve conflicts, and build consensus for improving school food in their community.
Mapping School Food is available as a free download.
Bringing Local Food to Local Institutions
by Barbara C. Bellows, Rex Dufour, and Janet Bachmann ATTRA
This Resource Guide for Farm-to-School and Farm-to-Institution Programs provides farmers, school administrators, and institutional food-service planners with contact information and descriptions of existing programs that have made these connections between local farmers and local school lunchrooms, college dining halls, or cafeterias in other institutions. To help communities initiate similar programs, this publication includes resource lists.
Start a Farm in the City (Comience una Granja en la Ciudad)
by Rex Dufour ATTRA July 2009
This publication outlines some of the pros and cons related to urban farming, illustrated by the story of a young girl starting a garden in the city. It includes 12 pages of resources, with information about urban soils and soil testing resources, as well as a state by state listing of organizations which have urban ag educational programs around the country. The Spanish version is a bit longer as it includes a listing of Spanish language resources. Click here for the English version, and click here for the Spanish version.
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s Guide to USDA Funding for Local and Regional Food S
by Kate Fitzgerald, Lucy Evans, Jessica Daniel National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition April 2010
Model School Board Resolution
by Public Health Law and Policy December 2011
School boards can bring the benefits of farm-to-school initiatives to their district schools by adopting a policy of support.11 State legislatures grant school boards the authority to set the direction and structure of their school districts by adopting policies, often in the form of resolutions. Policies establish directions for the district; they set the goals, assign authority, and establish controls that make school governance and management possible. By adopting a farm-to-school policy, by resolution or other format, school boards can direct school employees to initiate a program or offer support for programs to grow. In addition, they can direct staff to apply for grant funding to support their programs.
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How Can Farm to School Work in Different Climates?
by NFSN NFSN February 2008
Climate isn't a barrier to Farm to School. See how different regions make it work in this two-page overview.
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How Can You Get Involved?
by NFSN NFSN February 2008
This two-page fact sheet talks about getting involved with Farm to School and starting a program.
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Why Farm to School?
by NFSN NFSN February 2008
This two-page fact sheet talks about the reasons Farm to School is important: improving child nutrition and saving family farms.
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What is Farm to School?
by NFSN NFSN February 2008
This two-page fact sheet outlines the components of Farm to School.
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Curricular Resources
Professional Development for Educatorsby 360 Education February 2011
360 Education Solutions offers curriculum assistance and professional development opportunities for teachers and school administrators. As an advocate group for teachers they offer a number of resources to keep educators up to date with changing government policies as well as grant programs and career advancement ideas.
They can be visited at http://www.360-edu.com
List of Chefs Willing to Volunteer
by Healthy School Meals Resource System USDA
A list of chefs willing to volunteer their time as part of a food and nutrition education program.
"All About farmer's markets: A Teaching Guide for Classrooms, Camps, and Community Programs,"
by Peggy Sissel-Phelan, Ed.D. Brainchild Press
A useful resource to help children make the connection between the land, the food we eat, and our health and well-being.
The guide is 116 pages of original games, songs, and activities for PreK - 2nd grade classrooms, and includes ideas for field trips and parent involvement.
Fresh from the Farm
by TIME for Kids TIME for Kids May 2008
TIME for Kids Magazine Teachers Guide on Farm to School
CATCH
by
CATCH was the largest school based health promotion program ever done in the US - as a coordinated nutrition education - employing Go, SLOW , WHOA diet concepts to help children choose healthier foods and now utilized as part of CATCH along with the CATCH - EAT SMART Guide for school nutrition service providers and also CATCH Physical Education K-8. CATCH builds alliance with school staff, parents, community and administrators to focus on health, nutrition and physical activity. Certified CATCH Trainers also help schools and districts to build their coordinated school health efforts. And, most importantly, CATCH makes nutrition learning and physical activity FUN!
Fundamentals of Organic Farming and Gardening An Instructor's Guide - Revised for 2009
by Alexander McGregor, Lynn Pugh, and Jerry Larson Georgia Organics
Georgia Organics' curriculum on organic and sustainable growing is now free online. Intended for use by university extension agents, master gardeners, and high school educators, the program is the first of its kind in the state. It can be viewed online for free or it costs $10 as CD-Rom.
KidsGardening.org
by
KidsGardening.Org - Helping Young Minds Grow
Family Cook-In Toolkit
by Discovery Channel Family Cook-In February 2010
First, download our Screening Toolkit. (Go to: http://whatsonyourplateproject.org/blog/takeaction/toolkit).
It has all the stuff you need to have a fun and delicious Family Cook-In!
Second, watch What's on Your Plate? at 2:00 p.m. on Discovery's Planet Green. (Go to http:planetgreen.channelfinder.net to find your local channel).
Third, check out the games and activities in our Screening Toolkit.
Fourth, cook and eat together! Get everyone in the kitchen chopping, stirring, pouring and baking. Then sit down together for some fresh and yummy home-cooked food.
Think food justice is too tricky for kids? Think again.
What's On Your Plate? proves that not only can kids understand the issues, they can actually teach other kids about how they are what they eat.
The film follows two eleven-year-old multi-racial city kids as they explore their place in the food chain. Sadie and Safiyah take a close look at food systems in New York City and its surrounding areas. With the camera as their companion, the girl guides talk to each other, food activists, farmers, new friends, storekeepers, their families, and the viewer, in their quest to understand what?s on all of our plates.
According to Michael Pollan: ""What's On Your Plate?" is exactly the film we need now."
And Alice Waters says: "It was an amazing experience to hear kids talking about these issues. This movie can have a real impact on the way we think about what we?re eating."
Don't miss this chance to see this witty and provocative film on national television!
Join in the conversation on how we can change what we eat, and in the process, change our world.
Visit our website for more information on the film and how you can get involved.
www.whatsonyourplateproject.com
Can't make the Family Cook-In! broadcast? No problem.
The film will be showing throughout the week, with additional broadcasts on:
Saturday February 6th, 2010 at 10 pm
Thursday February 11th at 11 pm
Friday February 12th at 7 am
Friday February 12th at 3 pm
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Whats On Your Plate? Tool Kit
by Discovery Channel Planet Green Discovery Channel Planet Green February 2010
Join families across the country for a Family Cook-In! on Sunday, February 7th and spend an afternoon learning with your kids about food - what it's made of, where it come from and how to enjoy every bite.
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Buying & Selling Local Foods
Selling Strategies for Local Food Producersby Bill McKelvey, Mary Hendrickson, Joe Parcell University of Missouri Extension January 2008
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Minnesota School Food Survey
by Sam Hurst Gourmet.com March 2009
Last fall, JoAnne Berkenkamp from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy teamed up with the Minnesota School Nutrition Association to survey school food-service directors about their interest in direct farm-to-school marketing. Sixty-nine Minnesota school districts responded. They were overwhelmingly enthusiastic, but also cautious.
Guide to Developing a Sustainable Food Purchasing Policy
by Matthew Buck November 2007
The guide is intended to help universities, colleges, hospitals, and other institutions - as well as those advocating for food system change - create, promote and implement practical sustainable food purchasing policies.
Fresh from the Farm: Using Local Foods in Afterschool and Summer Nutrition Programs
by FRAC July 2011
Food is an important part of any quality afterschool or summer program. It helps attract children to the program and ensures that they have the energy to fully participate in all of the educational and enrichment activities. The nutrition quality and appeal of the meals and snacks is crucial. One creative strategy to improve quality and appeal is to make local produce part of the meals and snacks, and Farm to School programs are one key strategy to do that.
This guide outlines strategies and approaches for accessing local products such as working with an organization that is already using local produce, collaborating with the area food service director or operating the Farm to School program independently.
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Nuevos Mercados Para Su Cosecha (New Ways to Sell What You Grow)
by Community Food Security Coalition and the National Center for Appropriate Technology ATTRA January 2007
Click here to download the publication in PDF format [1M] or contact NCAT at (800) ASK-NCAT for a printed copy.
Click here to download the audio recording (mp3) of this publication
This Spanish-language publication details strategies for farmers interested in marketing their products to local institutions such as schools, colleges, hospitals, retirement homes and day care centers. Included is a resource list of organizations around the country that work with Latino farmers looking for ways to market their products.
Click here for a description of this publication and other resources in Spanish (Descripci?n de esta publicaci?n y otros recursos en Espa?ol)
School Garden Q&As
by United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service USDA July 2009
In this memo, USDA recently clarified that school food service funds may be used to purchase seeds, gardening tools, fertilizer, etc for school gardens. Such funds may also be devoted to starting and maintaining gardens on school property and schools are allowed to purchase produce from the gardens, even if the garden is managed and maintained by another school organization.
USDA Food & Nutrition Services - Regulations & Policy
by USDA Food & Nutrition Services USDA Food & Nutrition Services January 2010
USDA Geographic Preference Memo
by Cynthia Long, Director Child Nutrition Division USDA February 2011
In light of recent Farm to School efforts to connect schools with local or regional farmers and the need for guidance and technical assistance on the State and local levels, we have created Q&As to further explain the geographic preference option. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide Q&As on the application of the geographic preference option in procurement of unprocessed locally grown or locally raised agricultural products.
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How to Apply Geographic Preference
by NFSN March 2011
On February 1st, 2011 USDA released a memo, SP_18-2011, that offers a Question and Answer format on how a geographic preference may be applied. This document contains highlights and major points from the memo.
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Geographic Preference Final Rule Summary
by NFSN May 2011
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Together at the Table
by Sue B. Balcom - FARRMS from information provided by the Department of Public Instruction and the Ent August 2011
A checklist for food service providers and producers. Questions to ask to begin relationships around local foods in schools or cafeterias.
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Guide to Serving Local Food on Your Menu
by Glynwood Center April 2007
The guide is a primer to help foodservice managers and directors, caterers, chefs, restaurateurs and others consider creative ways to incorporate local food products into almost any foodservice setting. Topics include where to begin, identifying sources of supply, developing relationships with farmers, working through existing distributors, and things to consider about the regional food system. Chefs, institutional purchasing agents, and others share their experience in short case studies within the 32-page guide.Available in PDF form. Printed copies will be provided with a charge for postage and handling. For more information, please contact info@glynwood.org or 845-265-3338.
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Farm to School in the Northeast: Making the Connection for Healthy Kids and Healthy Farms
by Jennifer Wilkins, Heidi Mouillesseaux-Kunzman, Meredith Graham, Betsey Bacelli, and Martha Goodsell The Cornell Farm to School Program, NY Farms!, and the New York School Nutrition Association May 2007
In 200 pages, Farm to School in the Northeast provides a step-by-step guide to making farm to school connections, walking practitioners through a process from planning, to implementation and evaluation. Each chapter includes a 'Toolbox' filled with a variety of resources from assessment and evaluation forms, to sample position announcements, contracts, and flowcharts designed to help keep you organized, confront inevitable challenges and celebrate successes as you work towards your farm to school objectives.
Counties and Local Food Systems
by Casey Dillon National Association of Counties, Center for Sustainable Communities July 2007
This 22-page report highlights four approaches that county governments can use to strengthen their local food systems: ?food policy councils, farm to school programs, infrastructure for local producers, and agriculture conservation easement programs. ?It includes an overview of methods and a fairly detailed case study for each approach.The Farm to School Case study is from the Missoula Farm to School Program, MT.
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Farm-Raisers
by Vanessa Zajfen The Center for Food and Justice November 2007
As rates of childhood obesity rise across the nation, schools are under pressure to serve healthy foods in cafeterias as well as establish policies to curb the availability of unhealthy foods and sodas on school campuses. Many schools have banned the sale of sodas and candy during school hours. However, outside of the cafeteria and vending machines, school fundraisers are another source of unhealthy foods on campus. Ninety-one percent of schools nationwide use fundraisers as a means to raise school funds, 81 percent of these schools sell cookie dough or greeting cards (Conners, 2006). There is a growing interest in exploring creative ways to raise funds without using unhealthy foods.
The Organic Chronicles
by January 2007
This pamphlet conveys some basic principles of organic agriculture (and the ag-ecosystem) and is in a comic book format. There are English and Spanish versions of this publication, which is titled, The Organic Chronicles.
Greening the Plate of School Lunch
by Moira Beery Presentation December 2007
Slides from a presentation of the whys and hows of starting a Farm to School program.
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Lessons and Impacts of the Farm to School Program
by Moira Beery Presentation December 2007
This presentation explores the growth of Farm to School programs nationally and the impacts they have made.
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What's For Lunch?
by Deborah Kane May 2008
'What's for Lunch' provides a historical overview of school food and school gardens in the United States and details activities in the Portland Public Schools district. Interestingly enough, there was a time in our history when school food and school gardens were considered matters of national security.
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Chronology of Farm to School
by Debra Eschmeyer April 2008
When did farm to school programs start? What were the major milestones? This brief factsheet lays out the history of farm to school.
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Farm to School Programs - A Powerpoint presentation
by Anupama Joshi & Steph Larsen Webinar presentation - Action for Healthy Kids June 2008
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Farm to School Presentation
by Anupama Joshi Action for Healthy Kids Webinar June 2008
Farm to School webinar introducing the National Farm to School Network and how farm to school programs work.
Farm to School Policy Presentation
by Community Food Security Coalition State Farm to School Policy July 2008
State farm to school policies displayed by state in a PowerPoint presentation.
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Applying Geographic Preference in Procurements for Child Nutrition Programs
by USDA: Food and Nutrition Service United State Department of Agriculture July 2008
This memo provides information on a provision to encourage institutions operating Child Nutrition Programs to purchase unprocessed locally grown and locally raised agricultural products.
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Bid Local: Local Farm Projects Allowed in School Bids
by National Farm to School Network August 2008
With the passage of the 2008 Farm Bill, schools can now use a local preference in big language. This handout describes the specifics as to what is included in unprocessed agricultural products.
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Child Nutrition Reauthorization - Background
by National Farm to School Network November 2008
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Section 122 Farm to Cafeteria Language
by January 2009
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Nourishing the Nation One Tray at a Time
by Community Food Security Coalition, National Farm to School Network, School Food FOCUS March 2009
The policy recommendations in this document are solutions that are fair to American children, schools, farmers, food producers, and communities. The following lists the most effective ways Washington can rebalance the way American children eat in schools. We hope you will join us in our effort to nourish the nation, one tray at a time.
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Farm to School Brochure
by Debra Eschmeyer March 2009
Nourishing kids and communities: an introduction to farm to school
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Wellness Policy Tracking Made Easy
by January 2010
Wellness policy implementation has just gotten easier! Action for Healthy Kids has added a monitoring component to its 8-step Wellness Policy Tool to help school districts improve nutrition and physical activity practices. This new, web-based tool is fully customizable and includes a scoring system to evaluate progress, and links to resources for areas of the policy that need improvement. 'Because this tool is organized in a linear fashion and fairly comprehensive, including coordinated school health components in addition to nutrition and physical activity, it makes it easy to consider ways to improve our implementation and monitoring plan,' says Jennie McCary, wellness coordinator for Albuquerque Public Schools and president-elect of the New Mexico Dietetic Association. Click here for the monitoring component of AFHK's Wellness Policy Tool, and to register for a webinar on March 23 or 26 to learn how to help your school monitor their wellness policy.
Is There a Relationship Between Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement: Positive Results From Pub
by Journal of School Health January 2009
This is a new feature on research supporting the link between kids' health and success in school. A new study in the January 2009 Journal of School Health found that increasing opportunities for kids to participate in physical activity, fitness and sports may help support their success in the classroom. While further research is required, there is mounting evidence that opportunities in school to help children meet the recommended one hour of physical activity per day not only will enhance their health but also may have a positive effect on learning and academic achievement. Click here to read the article.
Grow Your Own Food Made Easy: Nutritious Organic Produce from Your Own Garden - A Step-by-Step Guide
by Gardening & Nutrition January 2005
Grow Your Own Food Made Easy is the only low-cost guide of its kind that integrates nutrition and gardening. Its nutritional content meets USDA nutritional guidelines, as well as those of the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society. All gardening information is Earth-friendly and state-of-the-art. Some of you may already know about our 32-page composting guide Home Composting Made Easy. Over 1 million copies are in print; distributed by hundreds of municipalities, waste management districts, state governments, and educational organizations throughout North America! (Go to: www.homecompostingmadeeasy.com). We believe that Grow Your Own Food Made Easy is a publication and idea whose time has come, for the millions of people who are now just getting into food gardening (or re-dedicating time and energy to it) as a need for food and financial security. It is perfect for any organizations, educators or businesses dedicated to food security, food independence and food sustainability, be it for direct distribution and/or for fundraising. Please contact us for special availability to non-retailers. You can view GYOF, including 18 sample pages (.pdf) at www.onesanctuary.com. You can also email us at peace@onesanctuary.com.
10 Reasons to Buy Local Food
by Adapted from Growing For Market October 2002
A one page document that explains how local food...tastes better, is better for you, preserves genetic diversity, is GMO-free, supports local farm family, builds community, preserves open space, keeps your taxes in check, supports a clean environment and benefits wildlife, and is about the future.
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A New Way to Look at Food and Agriculture: Community Food Systems
by http://www.farmtoschool.org/files/publications_219.pdf January 2004
This one page document makes the idea of sustainable community food systems not only accessible, but also desirable. Looking at food and agriculture issue through the lens of community food security requires one to look at the whole food system and understand how each part affects the whole food security of a given community.
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Cooking With Kids
by January 2005
An order form for various curricular resources K-6, including guides and a DVD.
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Farm to School 101: Farm Aid Toolkit
by Farm Aid June 2009
Nachos and cheese, French toast sticks, days and days of chicken nuggets. Is this what we want to nourish our children's growing minds? Summer may seem a strange time to think about the food our kids eat in school, but it's actually a great time to consider Farm to School programs. Check out Farm Aid's Farm to School 101 Toolkit for information on starting one in your area.
Finding Land to Farm: Six Ways to Secure Farmland (Encontrando Tierra para Trabajar: Seis Maneras de
by Kendra Johnson, Rex Dufour, and Marisa Alcorta ATTRA July 2009
This publication, a collaboration between CA Farmlink and NCAT, highlights some common ways to lease or own land. It follows a farmer as he talks to other farmers about how they accessed land. It outlines important considerations about each of these leasing options and paths to ownership. There are 6 pages of resources listing land-linking organizations as well as websites, publications and other organizations that will be helpful to farmers seeking land to farm. Elements of a good lease are also included. Click here for the English version, and click here for the Spanish version.
Farm-to-School Factsheet
by Community Alliance with Family Farmers May 2007
Farm-to-School is an integrated program developing in schools across the country to teach kids about the cycles of life from seed to table. View this factsheet to see overall project goals, components of a farm-to-school program, and CAFF's farm-to-school activities.
USDA Official Highlights Support for Local Food Systems
by Deputy Secretary Kathleen A. Merrigan USDA Report August 2009
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Kathleen Merrigan, explores the benefits of local food systems in a USDA memo.
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Schools Gardens and Food Service
by Bon Appetit Management Company September 2009
Bon Appetit has developed a guide for aspiring student farmers to help them build good business relationships with their best potential customers-the college food service providers that are right in their backyards. The guide will be made available to students in garden groups all over the country and on the company's website. www.circleofresponsibility.com/student-garden-guide
Small Farm / School Meals Initiaitve - Town Hall Meetings
by USDA Food & Nutrition Services USDA Food & Nutrition Services March 2000
A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Bring Small Farms and Local Schools Together
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Eat Smart?Farm Fresh!
by USDA Food & Nutrition Services USDA Food & Nutrition Services December 2005
A Guide to Buying and Serving Locally-Grown Produce in School Meals
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Speciality Crop Block Grant Program Funded Farm to School Projects
by USDA March 2010
This is a listing of the Speciality Crop Block Grant Program Funded Farm to School Projects.
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The Whole Plate: A Return to Real Food
by Jane Marie Siemon Youth Initiative High School Press April 2010
The Whole Plate is composed of 4 Units, which stand alone and also work sequentially: Unit 1 - What is food?, Unit 2 - Nourishing People and Planet, Unit 3 - Learning to Love Organic, and Unit 4 - The Spice of Life. These Units have been tailored for young adults, but have also been successfully used with full-blown adults. In addition to the main Units, there are 2 mini-Units that address specific topics in nutrition: Wild Foods and Nutrition for Pregnancy.
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Balance My Day™ Nutrition Education Curriculum
by Healthy Kids Challenge April 2011
This engaging, fun, ready to use nutrition and physical activity lessons for K-8th graders include goal setting, parent tip sheets, worksheets, student assessment and 12 Food Skills taste and learn activities for the classroom and cafeteria. The school nutrition services section is packed with ideas for marketing school nutrition. Aligned with HECAT (Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool) Healthy Eating Behavior outcomes and standards, sample pages, content listing and order form can be viewed at http://www.healthykidschallenge.com/catalog/26
Case Studies & Feasibility Analysis
Going Local: Paths to Success for Farm to School Programsby Anupama Joshi, Marion Kalb and Moira Beery National Farm to School Program February 2007
A brand new resource from the National Farm to School Program, Center for Food & Justice, Occidental College and the Community Food Security Coalition. With case studies from eight states - California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hamphire, North Carolina, and Oregon, the publication provides a snapshot of the diverse ways in which farm to school is making a difference nationwide.
West Coast Direct Marketing Summit Presentations Available
by Agricultural Marketing Service West Coast Direct Marketing Summit: Case Study Presentations August 2009
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today released West Coast Direct Marketing Summit: Case Study Presentations. These presentations were made at The Direct Farm Marketing Summit: Developing Sustainable Foodsheds to Enhance Food Access and Nutrition, which brought together government agencies, nonprofit organizations and farmers to investigate ways farmers can sell directly to the public.
USDA Farm to School Team 2010 Summary Report
by USDA July 2011
This document summarizes the best practices, challenges, potential solutions and lessons learned from the USDA Farm to School Team’s 2010 site visits. The report also provides suggestions to the Department for further support of Farm to School.
Other Resources
Lunch Lessons: Changing the way we feed our childrenby Chef Ann Cooper
Farm to School Policy: A State by State Listing
by Community Food Security Coalition November 2010
Farm to School policy is listed by state with key legislation and funding amounts highlighted.
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Fresh, Healthy and Safe Food: Best Practices for Using Produce from School Gardens
by National Farm to School Network January 2009
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Farm to School Basics and Contacts
by NFSN April 2011
This 4-page document gives a brief overview of Farm to School and the National Farm to School Network and lists contact information for all of the regional leads, state leads and national staff.
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Commenting on USDA Nutrition Standards
by NFSN April 2011
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How to Apply a Geographic Preference
by National Farm to School Network April 2011
On February 1st, 2011 USDA released a memo, SP_18-2011, that offers a Question and Answer format on how a geographic preference may be applied. To view the memo, go to: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Policy-Memos/2011/SP18-2011_os.pdf.
This document highlights major points from the memo.
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Position Announcement - Associate Director, National Farm to School Network
by National Farm to School Network September 2011
Application Deadline is September 15, 2011
National Farm to School Network (NFSN) is seeking a committed, dynamic individual to join as Associate Director. The selected candidate will be actively involved in fundraising, and assisting the NFSN Director in administrative and programmatic tasks as necessary. The Associate Director will also work to ensure implementation of the NFSN strategic action plan in the priority areas of policy; media, marketing and outreach; training and technical assistance; information services; research
and networking.
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Action Strategies Toolkit
by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Leadership for Healthy Communities May 2009
Working in close collaboration with 11 influential policy-maker organizations, Leadership for Healthy Communities developed this toolkit to equip state, municipal, county and school leaders with promising and evidence-based policy approaches designed to improve children's health and reduce childhood obesity. This comprehensive resource includes strategies in 10 policy areas, lists of key stakeholders, tips on how to start programs, and examples of policies that states and communities have implemented successfully. It is prefaced with an unequivocal leadership statement signed by executive directors from each of the 11 participating policy-maker organizations.This statement underscores the organizations' recognition that childhood obesity is a national problem and reflects their commitment to work collaboratively across levels of government to build healthier communities.
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What Can USDA Do?
by One Tray Team September 2009
This document is a ten-point roadmap for national coordination between government at all levels and partners promoting Farm to School and sustainable procurement practices developed by the National Farm to School Network, Community Food Security Coalition, and School Food FOCUS.
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Succession and Enterprise Adaptation at the Rural Urban Interface
by Shoshanah Inwood and Jeff S. Sharp Social Responsibility Initiative, Department of Human and Community Resource Development, The Ohio S June 2009
To find out the succession strategies of farms near urban areas, Shoshanah Inwood, a research associate with the Social Responsibility Initiative in Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences interviewed farm families located near Columbus, Ohio, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Succession and Enterprise Adaptation at the Rural Urban Interface (PDF/581KB) describes four types of strategies being used to keep farms viable. Click here for an article about this report.
The School Nutrition Operations Report: The State of School Nutrition 2009
by School Nutrition Association The School Nutrition Operations Report June 2009
The School Nutrition Operations Report: The State of School Nutrition 2009 , to be released June 30th, benchmarks detailed information on operational issues of school nutrition programs and policies including participation rates, meal charges, trends in food offerings, food safety, procurement, lunch periods, payment systems and more!
Food Stamp Use Linked To Weight Gain, Study Finds
by Science Daily August 2009
Researchers found that the average user of food stamps had a Body Mass Index (BMI) 1.15 points higher than non-users. The link between food stamps and higher weight was almost entirely based on women users, who averaged 1.24 points higher BMI than those not in the program, the study found. For an average American woman, this would mean an increase in weight of 5.8 pounds.
Legislative History Related to Farm to School
by USDA March 2010
National Farm to School Network Accomplishments since 2007
by May 2010
The National Farm to School Network has grown in depth and breadth since 2007. Check out our list of accomplishments!
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Proposed Rule on Geographic Preference
by USDA June 2010
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National Farm to School Network Contact Sheet
by National Farm to School Network May 2010
This one pager provides an overview of the National Farm to School Network and who and how to contact us.
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Farm to School Everywhere!
by Debra Eschmeyer National Farm to School Network May 2010
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Sample letter for comments on Geographic Preference
by National Farm to School Network June 2010
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Strategic Action Plan (2010 - 2012) - National Farm to School Network
by National Farm to School Network December 2010
A snapshot of the National Farm to School Network's Strategic Action Plan (2010-2012).
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Building a Future With Farmers: Challenges Faced by Young, American Farmers and a National Strategy
by Lindsey Lusher Shute November 2011
The National Young Farmers’ Coalition (NYFC) was formed by and for the next generation of American family farmers. NYFC’s issues and mission are directly informed by the needs of young, first-career farmers in rural America. To that end, drawing on a survey of over 1,000 farmers in our national network, we present a vision of policy change and achievable recommendations that will help the next generation of American farmers thrive.
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Farm to School Competitive Grants Program
by National Farm to School Network January 2011
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act establishes a Farm to School competitive grant and
technical assistance program to increase the use of local foods from small and
medium sized farms in schools. Grants will be available up to $100,000 per project,
and may be used for training, planning, purchasing equipment, building school
gardens and developing partnerships to create new or support existing programs.
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State Farm to School Legislation
by NFSN June 2011
To date, 33 states have passed legislation regarding farm to school programs. Below are summaries and links to the text of this legislation. This information should reflect legislation that has passed as of November 2, 2010
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National Farm to School Network State Leads
by NFSN February 2011
This document contains the names and contact information for all 50 of the National Farm to School Network's state leads. Each lead will serve as a point-person in their state, advocating for the growing National Farm to School Network and providing expert advice, training and assistance to start new programs.
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WSDA Farm-to-School Web-Based Toolkit
by Washington State Department of Agriculture Farm-to-School Program Web-based toolkit of farm-to-school resources
The WSDA Farm-to-School Toolkit is designed to provide farms, schools, families, and communities with resources to help them meet their farm-to-school goals. Through stories, photos, templates, documents and more, this toolkit highlights farm-to-school and school garden successes throughout Washington and draws together best practices and farm-to-school tips from our in-state and national network partners. The toolkit includes a Washington-Grown Food Kit for food service, with recipes, nutrition facts and sample menus for serving Washington grown foods in schools. Resources will continue to evolve, with increased inclusion of food service resources for those in childcare and senior meal program settings.
Farm to School Basics and National Contacts
by NFSN April 2011
This 4-page document briefly explains the mission of the National Farm to School Network and lists contact information for all national staff, regional leads, and state leads.
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National Farm to School Network Advisors
by NFSN May 2011
This is a list of our advisors and their contact information.
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Farm to School Month Poster 11x8.5
by September 2011
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Farm to School Month Poster 11x17
by September 2011
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Farm to School Month Poster 20x16
by September 2011
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Maternal and Child Health Library at Georgetown University
by Various September 2011
The MCH Library at Georgetown University offers access to accurate, timely information about maternal and child health (MCH) topics. The library presents a wide variety of electronic resources, including the MCH Alert, resource guides, databases, and other materials developed for professionals and families. View the library online at http://mchlibrary.info.
Evaluation Tools & Reports
A Growing Movement: A Decade of Farm to School in Californiaby Anupama Joshi and Moira Beery October 2007
A Growing Movement: A Decade of Farm to School in California is a brand new resource from the California Farm to School Program at the Center for Food & Justice. The farm to school movement began in California more than 10 years ago. This report tells the story of work undertaken by farm to school proponents in California and chronicles the emergence of the program, and the impacts it has had on students, farmers, and communities around the state.
Bearing Fruit: Farm to School Program Evaluation Resources & Recommendations
by Anupama Joshi & Andrea Misako Azuma National Farm to School Network, Center for Food & Justice, Occidental College April 2009
Released in Spring 2009, Bearing Fruit is a comprehensive guide to Farm to School program evaluation with highlights of the overall impacts of farm to school for stakeholders- teachers, food service, farmers, parents, policy makers, and community - providing excellent resources and tools to incorporate when assessing a program.
Hard copies are available for the cost of shipping by contacting Anupama Joshi at ajoshi@oxy.edu
Setting the Record Straight: Nutritionists Define Healthful Food
by Strategic Alliance and Prevention Institute
Setting the Record Straight, puts forth a definition of healthful food that looks beyond nutrients to acknowledge that truly healthful food comes from a food system where food is produced, processed, transported, and marketed in ways that are environmentally sound, sustainable and just.
Dishing up Local Food on Wisconsin Campuses (Research Brief #55)
by Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems January 2012
The brief studies strategies for buying fresh and local on college and university campuses across the state. The study includes a consideration of campus size and price in their effect on farm to school programs.
Farm to School Evaluation Toolkit
by UNC/NFSN July 2011
As Farm to School programs develop, there is a need to create a strong evidence base for these efforts to strengthen programs, practices, and policies. NFSN worked with The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to develop this evaluation toolkit.
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School Lunch Recall
by UNC-CH Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention January 2011
The School Lunch Recall (SLR) was developed to evaluate the dietary impact of farm to school programs on fruit and vegetable consumption during school lunch in elementary schools. It is a valid and efficient tool to capture what children eat at school from the school-provided meal.
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UNC Research Summaries
by UNC/NFSN NFSN May 2011
These four one-page documents summarize the research done as part of a coordinated Farm to School program evaluation at four sites (Riverside,CA; Springfield, OR; Saratoga Springs, NY and Union 74, ME). Supported by the National Farm to School Network; conducted by the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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USDA Farm to School Team 2010 Summary Report
by USDA Farm to School Team
This document summarizes the best practices, challenges, potential solutions and lessons learned from the USDA Farm to School Team’s 2010 site visits. The report also provides suggestions to the Department for further support of Farm to School.