NATIONAL FARM TO SCHOOL
NETWORK PLANNING PROJECT (2005-06)
An initiative of the National Farm to School
Advisory Committee (coordinated by the Center for Food & Justice,
Background:
With a planning grant from the W.K. Kellogg
Foundation (2005-06), the Center for Food & Justice (CFJ) and the Community
Food Security Coalition (CFSC) engaged over 30 farm to
school organizations from 35 states in a planning process to explore
opportunities for establishing a national farm to school network.
Planning Phase (2005-06):
The outcome of year-long discussions overwhelmingly
supported the need for greater collaboration among farm to school
practitioners, with the establishment of a national network as the primary
vehicle for coordinating and catalyzing the growing farm to school movement. The planning process led by CFJ and CFSC explored the
opportunities for a collaborative structure to support farm to school programs
across the country. The following are some highlights
of the planning phase:
·
Establishment of a National Farm to School
Advisory Committee comprised of about 30 persons from organizations engaged in
farm to school activities. The Advisory Committee
contributed to the development of the current proposal, and is committed to
supporting the future activities listed therein. The
Advisory Committee met in person twice through the year – in
· Selection of Farm to School Regional Lead Agencies (RLA) in five regions. RLAs were selected through a competitive process to lead the planning efforts around the country. The regional leads communicated with each other and with staff from CFJ and CFSC over the phone regularly through the year
· RLAs were successful in seeking input from a varied group of stakeholders in their region about the need for potential support from a national network. This was achieved through dialogue and interactions with over 200 persons from 35 states through five regional and other farm to school meetings.
· A national survey was sent out to 349 contacts for existing farm to school programs to seek detailed data on the coverage and extent of programs operational in the country. Preliminary data reveals that there are 1000+ farm to school programs currently operational in 35 states.
· A list of priorities was identified by all stakeholders for the emerging national network. The areas of focus include, in order of priority:
o Policy
o Marketing/Media
o Information Services
o Networking
o Training and Technical Assistance
· Agreement and recommendations on a proposed collaborative structure for a National Farm to School Network, which includes:
o A National Farm to School Advisory Committee comprised of regional lead agencies. There may also be expert resource people, from other national organizations.
o Coordination of the national network will be led by CFSC and CFJ. The Advisory Committee may decide to pursue additional or different partners depending on the needs and goals of the group.
o Regional Lead Agencies selected in eight regions (addition of three regions from planning phase to improve geographic coverage).
o A Regional Steering Committee will be formed to advise each Regional Lead Agency. The composition of this group is to be determined by the regional lead, and may include a farmer, child nutrition director, or representatives from each state.