Massachusetts Involved Groups and Organizations
The following organizations have resources and information to help with your local Farm to School program.
Buy Fresh
Buy Fresh is a source of information on where to find locally grown, fresh, crisp and delicious food in Essex County and the Merrimack Valley.
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources' mission is to support, promote and enhance the long-term viability of Massachusetts agriculture with the aim of helping this state’s agricultural businesses become as economically and environmentally sound as possible. By so doing, it is hoped that our farmers will continue to support and maintain thousands of acres of valuable open space for the benefit of the state’s economy and environment. The Department’s divisions and bureaus are working to fulfill this mission through a variety of initiatives and programs.
Seeds of Solidarity
The Massachusetts School Nutrition Association
The School Nutrition Association of Massachusetts is one of the leading organizations committed to educating, supporting, and inspiring school nutrition and food service professionals.
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture
CISA links farmers and communities to strengthen agriculture and enhance the economy, rural character, environmental quality, and social well-being of western Massachusetts. Through our Farm Sales to Institutions program, we work with colleges, hospitals, workplaces and schools to increase local purchasing and with farmers to expand their markets. We also release a bimonthly Farm to School e-newsletter packed with stories about local efforts to incorporate agriculture into schools through cafeteria programs, school gardens, and ag-related curricula. To sign up for the newsletter, please email claire@buylocalfood.com. Website: www.buylocalfood.com
Claire Morenon
Program Coordinator
(413) 665-7100 ext. 16
www.buylocalfood.com
CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture)
1 Sugarloaf Street
South Deerfield, MA 01373
Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP)
Berkshire Grown
Berkshire Grown envisions a community where healthy farms define the open landscape, where a wide diversity of fresh, seasonal food and flowers continue to be readily available to everyone, and where we celebrate our agricultural bounty by buying from our neighboring family farms and savoring their distinctive Berkshire harvest.
Healthy Schools Meals Resource System
A list of chefs willing to volunteer their time as part of a food and nutrition education program