National Media Coverage
So what about those who are out standing in their fields? Are we going to represent them at employment fairs? Are children going to learn that being a farmer is a career option, and are young adults going to feel supported to learn about gardening and farming? Most of the world's population now lives in urban areas. Many urban children don't grow up around farms. Many don't have any idea where their food comes from. For a while, they may not realize that it comes from plants and animals - after all, often food comes in packages and cans, and it's pretty well disguised. Where are these children going to get to know about farming and market gardening as career options? · Read the entire article.
Farm-fresh school lunches on the way by Joan Qazi The Wenatchee World Published 02/01/2010
“What’s for lunch?” Sometimes I don’t want to answer this question, especially when I know my kids and I don’t always agree about what constitutes a good meal. If it’s not pizza or burgers, then they show less enthusiasm about sitting down to eat. There are people whose paid employment means facing up to this question asked by hundreds of kids every day. School food service personnel are charged with feeding our children well-balanced, nutritious meals and snacks during their school day. This task is made even harder by constrained budgets and national health statistics trending upwards for childhood obesity and diabetes · Read the entire article.
Obama Budget Doesn’t Thrill School Lunch Advocates by Kim Severson NY Times Published 02/01/2010
President Obama’s budget proposal is getting mixed reviews among the people watching over the quality of public school lunches. Some say it’s too little to make any meaningful change, while others are relieved school food programs are getting anything when other agricultural programs have been cut. · Read the entire article.
Mary Cheh on Fighting Obesity with “Healthy Schools” by N/A TheSlowCook.com Published 02/01/2010
D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) has introduced landmark “Healthy Schools” legislation that integrates nutrition standards, locally produced foods, school gardening, broader access to subsidized meals and increased physical exercise to address obesity and other children’s health issues in the nation’s capitol. I recently submitted 34 written questions to Cheh about her bill, resulting in this interview by e-mail. The questions were submitted before I reported a six-part account of the food being served in D.C. schools. · Read the entire article.
State of the Union's School Lunch: Nutrition as National Defense and Fiscal Health by Debra Eschmeyer Huffington Post Published 01/27/2010
Don't make us tighten our belts on child nutrition programs while the girth of the nation grows. The government spends $1 million per soldier in Afghanistan, yet barely spends $1 on the food in a school lunch. When President Obama addresses the nation in his State of the Union, he will outline his priorities for 2010: jobs, the deficit, and health care reform. The President will then call for a three-year freeze on domestic programs. Will a program created to "promote the health and well-being of the nation's children" survive the freeze? · Read the entire article.
Businesses Find Improved Work Environment and Health With Green by Sheila Regan Twin Cities Daily Planet Published 01/21/2010
A few school districts in Minnesota have been recognized recently for their efforts in creating healthier, more locally grown meals for school lunches. In March, St. Paul Schools will complete its 18 month pilot program in finding new and innovative ways to create a more local, sustainable and healthy school lunch program. Meanwhile Mary Anderson, the Culinary Director of Wayzata Public Schools, received the Silver Leadership Award from the National Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence (FAME) Award program on January 10. · Read the entire article.
$25 MILLION FOR NEW SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT by USDA USDA Online Published 01/15/2010
WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of $25 million in grants to help schools operating a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) replace outdated equipment with new, energy efficient, appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, and other food service related equipment. The new funding, authorized in accordance with Section 7(a)(2) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1776(a)(2)), is a one-time fiscal year 2010 appropriation to State educational agencies. · Read the entire article.
People on the Move for Jan. 14, 2010 by N/A DesMoinesRegister.com Published 01/14/2010
Charlie Fazio has joined Re/Max Opportunities. Fazio had been with Coldwell Banker Mid-America Group. Lynn Fallon has joined the National Center for Appropriate Technology as the Midwest regional lead agency farm-to-school network coordinator. This is a project of the National Farm to School Network. Fallon has been working with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition as a statewide grassroots organizer in Iowa since May 2009. · Read the entire article.
Recent Obsessions: Candied bacon, jigsaw puzzles, handbags, fantasy chocolate, love soup by N/A 77 Square Published 01/12/2010
Candied bacon was one of the stand-out dishes at the REAP Farm to School “Pork-Off” benefit on Sunday, Jan. 10, at the Weary Traveler. Mike Kiener, food manager at Barriques, developed the recipe: He coats applewood-smoked bacon in a dry rub of brown sugar and about 14 herbs and spices, including chili pepper; then bakes it to a crisp, cuts it into two-inch slices and dips them in dark chocolate. Yes, it’s divine. Chewy, salty, sweet and fatty, all in one bite. · Read the entire article.
Pork-Off chefs and guests choose pig over pigskin at the Weary Traveler by Kyle Nabilcy Isthmus Daily Published 01/11/2010
For a couple hours on Sunday, while the Green Bay Packers were fighting for their playoff lives, The Weary Traveler put on a good impression of a bar that actually has televisions. Over a hundred people filed hungrily into the front half of the restaurant to take part in the first ever Pork-Off. Chefs from eight kitchens in the Madison area put their best spin on pork shoulder, plus a few bonus goodies. · Read the entire article.
IATP congratulates Wayzata Public Schools nutrition leader for national award by Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy Published 01/11/2010
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Call for Site Visits by USDA Farm to School Tactical Teams by USDA Food & Nutrition Services Published 01/08/2010
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Leaders of the Pack: Farm-to-School Programs Feed Kids Across the Country by Kathy Shorr Simple Steps Published 01/04/2010
Quietly, whether in rural communities or large cities, schools are finding novel ways to feed kids healthier, locally grown food, often cultivated by the children themselves as part of the curriculum. You might picture this as the province of wealthy school districts only, but the hundreds of farm-to-school programs across the country include places like the Baltimore public schools, where over 83% of the students qualify for free- and reduced-rate meals. · Read the entire article.
Healthy, Locally-Sourced School Lunches Focus of Conference WCLT Radio Published 12/29/2009
Fish sticks, tater tots, and sloppy Joes. Does this sound like your child’s school lunch? Author, activist, and self-professed “Renegade Lunch Lady” Chef Ann Cooper is working to transform America’s school lunch program from one that serves up fast food to one that provides healthy, locally-sourced school lunches that satisfy more than just a child’s appetite. · Read the entire article.
Christina’s a Lunchroom Hit — John Steward’s Next by Madie Murray Orcas Issues Published 12/23/2009
Lunches like these, which are mostly made from scratch and from fresh, locally procured sources, take a considerable amount of preparation time over the pre-packaged, highly preserved items previously served in school cafeterias across the Country · Read the entire article.
West Michigan farmers, schools discuss getting local produce to student lunches by Matt Vande Bunte The Grand Rapids Press Published 12/21/2009
GRAND RAPIDS -- While fresh fruits and vegetables are fed daily to area students, few of those items are local. But that's not because Paul Baumgartner and other school food service directors are opposed to serving West Michigan produce. Baumgartner this week took part in a panel discussion, sponsored by Michigan State University's Farm to School program, about how local farmers can get products into campus cafeterias. The consensus was that school food service directors are open and eager to hear a sales pitch from farmers. · Read the entire article.
Jefferson County school cafeterias serve local food by Cecelia Mason West Virginia Public Broadcasting Published 12/21/2009
For nearly a year now, Jefferson County schools have served locally-grown apples, peaches, blueberries and potatoes in the cafeterias and soon two schools will also serve locally-raised ground hamburger. · Read the entire article.
Soil & Water annual dinner and awards Upper Rogue Independent Published 12/21/2009
The annual celebration and awards ceremony for Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District will be held in Eagle Point, Friday, Jan. 15. The catered dinner will feature local products in keeping with the event theme of ?from Farm to School.? · Read the entire article.
Farr bill would increase fruits, vegetables in schools by Team X Fruits Age Published 12/18/2009
Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) on Wednesday introduced legislation aimed at increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in school breakfasts and lunches, according to a press release from his office. The bill includes several strategies that will improve health and limit obesity among America's schoolchildren, the press release contends. · Read the entire article.
Dover-Eyota Food Service Promotes Healthy Foods by Iris Clark Neumann Dover-Eyota Eagle Published 12/18/2009
Serving meals including locally-grown foods is one strategy being used in D-E lunchrooms for promoting a healthy lifestyle. Dover-Eyota is participating in SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Plan), a statewide plan which works with schools and communities to improve nutrition, increase physical activity and reduce exposure to smoke. Bill seeks more fresh produce in U.S. school meals by Charles Abbott Rueters India Published 12/17/2009
The government would spend $150 million to put more fresh fruits and vegetables into school meals under a bill filed by 16 lawmakers on Wednesday with an eye to next year's overhaul of school food programs. Congress delayed work on child nutrition until 2010, partly to round up more funding. The administration backs a $1 billion a year increase but there is no agreement on how to pay for it. · Read the entire article.
Farr bill would increase fruits, vegetables in schools by Charles Abbott Hollister Free Lance Published 12/16/2009
Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) on Wednesday introduced legislation aimed at increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in school breakfasts and lunches, according to a press release from his office. The bill includes several strategies that will improve health and limit obesity among America's schoolchildren, the press release contends. · Read the entire article.
Farr bill would increase fruits, vegetables in schools by The Free Lance Staff HollisterFreeLance.com Published 12/16/2009
Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) on Wednesday introduced legislation aimed at increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in school breakfasts and lunches, according to a press release from his office. The bill includes several strategies that will improve health and limit obesity among America's schoolchildren, the press release contends. · Read the entire article.
D.C. bill aims to improve nutrition, exercise among students by Bill Turque Washington Post Published 12/15/2009
The District's schools would be required to serve students fresh produce from local growers and to dramatically expand physical education programs under a bill introduced by D.C. Council member Mary M. Cheh and Chairman Vincent C. Gray. · Read the entire article.
Ending the Reign of the Chicken Nugget by monitor staff Concord Monitor Published 12/15/2009
Last week, the New Hampshire Commission on Prevention of Childhood Obesity laid out 14 recommendations for promoting healthy eating and exercise habits in children. They ranged from the general to the specific and included suggestions such as requiring restaurant chains to post nutritional information in their menus, requiring schools to measure students' heights and weights at regular intervals and urging communities to promote bicycling and walking. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-school programs can and do work by Dave Peyton Charleston Daily Mail Published 12/14/2009
Last week, I wrote that I thought it was nearly impossible for West Virginia public school systems to use local produce to feed their kids for breakfast and lunch. I was wrong. · Read the entire article.
School participating in Farm To School initiative WWMT.com Channel 3 News Published 12/14/2009
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Fresh to the core by Annie Martin Battle Creek Enquirer Published 12/14/2009
Students sat at long tables in the Lakeview Middle School cafeteria Monday, munching on typical school lunch fare: a slice of pizza, tater tots, an apple and a small carton of milk. Quantcast But it's a little different than the lunches the school has served in the past because the apples and potatoes the school uses are grown in Michigan. Getting locally grown produce into school cafeterias was a four-year project for Paul Yettaw, director of food services. Meeting U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines and finding vendors that provide food from Michigan farms proved to be hurdles. · Read the entire article.
Gilford schools lead healthier youth charge by Victoria Guay citizen.com Published 12/13/2009
In the effort to prevent childhood obesity, the Gilford School District and Woodland Heights Elementary School in Laconia were noted as schools with exemplary health policies in place, according to a report by the New Hampshire Commission to Prevent Childhood Obesity. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-cafeteria bandwagon rolls on with meetings in Port Angeles, Port Townsend by Jennifer Jackson Peninsula Daily News Published 12/13/2009
Two meetings to advance the discussion started last month at the North Olympic Peninsula Farm to Cafeteria conference are scheduled this week. In Port Angeles, a short documentary about two Washington state school districts that buy and serve local foods to students, "Stepping Up to the Plate," will be shown Monday. The film by Candice Cosler, which will begin at 6 p.m. at the Port Angeles Public Library, 2210 South Peabody St., will be followed by a review of highlights of the conference, said Beth Loveridge, a conference organizer and member of the Port Angeles School District's Committee for Nutrition and Exercise. · Read the entire article.
Economic development lies in agriculture, not away from it by Jordan Scheibel Scarlet & Black Published 12/10/2009
Since I moved off campus in June I?ve started reading the Des Moines Register. Over the past six months I?ve gotten a sense of what passes for economic development in Iowa for the state government, and many municipal governments and citizens. One part of statewide economic development is offering tax credits to certain areas of industries such as renewable energy and scientific research. · Read the entire article.
National Farm to School Network has exploded from simple beginnings by Bob Luder The Packer Published 12/09/2009
Those were the humble beginnings of what today is the National Farm to School Network, a program that brings food ? a vast majority of which is fresh produce ? from local farms to school children nationwide. What started as a few pilot programs in California and Florida in 1996-97 grew to about 400 by 2004 and 1,000 by 2007. In 2009, there were more than 2,000 Farm to School programs in the U.S. · Read the entire article.
'Spirit of Slow Food' awards presented at Farm City Banquet by Special to the Record StAugustine.com Published 12/06/2009
Slow Food First Coast recently presented the 2009 John Barnes "Spirit of Slow Food" Awards at the annual Farm City Banquet, held in partnership with the St. Johns County Extension Service. The award recognizes individuals or businesses in the community that best represent the ideals of good, clean and fair food that Slow Food seeks to promote. It is named in honor of John Barnes, former owner of Johnny's Kitchen restaurant in Hastings, whose unfailing support of local agriculture, community development, and Slow Food principles have made a significant positive impact on the region. Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: AmeriCorps farm to school: Healthier kids and h by N/A WisPolitics.com Published 12/04/2009
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http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=178761 by N/A Unicameral Update Published 12/04/2009
An interim study resolution directing the Agriculture Committee to develop a plan for facilitating farm to school food programs has spurred a grant application for a pilot project. LR42, introduced by Fullerton Sen. Annette Dubas, calls for a study of methods and systems needed to assist farmers in providing food for schools. The study calls for input from various stakeholders, which led to the formation of a task force. · Read the entire article.
Rutgers facility helping preserve food for school by N/A NJ.com Published 12/03/2009
The Rutgers Food Innovation center in Bridgeton may soon serve a major role in the university's statewide initiative to address hunger and poor nutrition. The East Broad Street facility is assisting the school in finding ways to better preserve New Jersey-grown produce so the food can be served at school cafeterias year-round, even when the produce is out of season. · Read the entire article.
Summit Calls for Local Food in Schools by Erin Stevenson KOMU Published 12/02/2009
A Farm to School summit had Missouri schools and farmers talking Wednesday about a partnership. A meeting at the Boone County Health Department joined agriculture and education for a discussion that could impact Missouri's children. The forum was held by University of Missouri Extension. Farm to School is a group aimed at bringing locally grown and produced foods into school cafeterias. The group advocates "farm fresh" foods, saying they are healthier for students. · Read the entire article.
Northey Announces IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE?S PLAN TO IMPLEMENT GOVERNORS 10 PERCENT ACROSS THE by N/A KMEG Published 12/02/2009
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today released the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's plan to respond to the 10 percent across the board budget cut announced by Governor Culver in October. The Department was able to avoid 36 layoffs due to the announcement this week that members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) voted to approve five furlough days and other concessions by contract covered employees this fiscal year. · Read the entire article.
GOP may have primary for state treasurer by The Globe Gazette Des Moines Bureau Globe Gazette Published 12/02/2009
A pair of Republicans has announced they may run for State Treasurer, a position Democrat Mike Fitzgerald has held since 1982. Story County Treasurer Dave Jamison has filed paperwork and assembled a campaign committee to explore entering the race and Dyersville Mayor Jim Heavens also announced plans to seek the Republican nomination. · Read the entire article.
School lunch fresh from farm by Sarah Lemagie Star Tribune Published 12/01/2009
Even in farm country, getting local foods on the menu can be surprisingly complicated for school districts that serve thousands of hot lunches every day. That isn't stopping the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan district, which has joined schools across the state in a push to serve more food from Minnesota growers. · Read the entire article.
The Top 20 Real Food Advocates To Follow On Twitter by Beth B. care2 Published 12/01/2009
Here are 20 Twitter Users (in no particular order) who have dedicated their lives, both on and offline, to changing the way we grow, purchase, and eat food. Farm to School is included in this list. · Read the entire article.
Kalamazoo: Oh, the Webs They Weave! by Patty Cantrell Michigan Land Use Institute Published 12/01/2009
Ms. Leach?s real passion is connecting farmers with eaters, particularly those moving into once-rural areas. That's why she teamed up with Paul Yettaw, food service director for Battle Creek's Lakeview School District. · Read the entire article.
Your Turn by Steven Lane San Antonio Express Published 11/30/2009
Let's add to the discussion how to provide healthy food like funding for Kitchen Garden and Farm to School programs along with what artificial ingredients should be added to get kids to drink milk, unless, of course, our thinking is, ?Yep, what's a little obesity and diabetes if it gets them to drink it. · Read the entire article.
School Lunches Go Back to the Land by Fran Smith Edutopia Published 11/29/2009
One year ago, in a defunct orphanage on 33 weed-choked acres outside of Baltimore, Anthony Geraci found his field of dreams. Today, the Great Kids Farm is all that he imagined and more: the centerpiece of a focused effort to transform school food service into a more sustainable, healthy, and educational enterprise. And to change it fast. · Read the entire article.
A Journey to 'Farm to School' by Tara Flakker DC Food For All Published 11/29/2009
In September of 2008 I started both packing my son?s lunches and searching for more creative ideas. That search led me to the National Farm to School Network. · Read the entire article.
Schools serve wholesome, local foods by Krista Garand The Durango Herald Published 11/27/2009
As part of our continually-growing Farm to School program, we serve local, grass-finished beef for all of our ground beef needs. You will not find refined white breads, only whole- grain and whole-wheat breads and breadings on our menu. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School fundraiser ?squashing? success BoZone.com Published 11/27/2009
Gallatin Valley Farm to School administered the second annual offering of this ?alternative school fundraising program? and, while doing so, addressed the Gallatin Valley?s desire to support Montana farmers, help local schools, and purchase beautiful holiday gifts for friends and family. Students will be delivering early this month, just in time for holiday gift-giving. · Read the entire article.
Allen, Kelley to be guests on Fallon Forum Newton Daily News Published 11/27/2009
The Fallon Forum is co-hosted by Ed and Lynn Fallon. Lynn founded the Connection Café, a daily meal program for the homeless and working poor, has worked on several political campaigns, and currently works on the national Farm to School program. · Read the entire article.
Decatur Schools Freshen Up by Kyle Dominy Mid Dekalb Published 11/25/2009
The City Schools of Decatur are looking to provide healthier meals by cooking meals with fresh produce. The program plan calls for planting gardens at each Decatur school for educational purposes. It also requires a group of Decatur parents to help the school system find farms and vendors to supply fresh produce to the cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
The New and Improved USDA Supports Local, Sustainable Food by Vanessa Barrington EcoSalon Published 11/25/2009
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'Evangelist' for Organics Going Against the Grain in Iowa by Allison Winter New York Times Published 11/25/2009
This is a totally new direction for us," said Debi Durham, president and CEO of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. "We are an agribusiness economy, but there is room for an alternative lifestyle." Durham added, "Within the next 10 years, we will be known as the organic capital -- of the world." Such a prediction is almost mind-boggling, considering that the county had not one registered acre of organic farmland in the 2007 U.S. Department of Agriculture census -- and this in a county with a total 450,000 acres of farmland. · Read the entire article.
MN Farm to School Programs Model for Nation by IATP DFL3CD Published 11/24/2009
In November, US Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan toured the St. Paul Schools? commissary to get a first-hand look at the district?s Farm to School program. ?St. Paul schools are pioneers in this, and I want to learn what they?re doing . . . and extend it across the country,? said Merrigan at a November roundtable discussion in St. Paul. · Read the entire article.
Law School administrator appointed to Farm Services Agency Committee under Obama by Tory Olson Drake University Published 11/24/2009
Matt Russell, state food policy project coordinator at Drake University Law School, recently was appointed to the Iowa Farm Services Agency (FSA) Committee under the Obama administration. Russell will continue to work as state food policy coordinator at Drake. His projects include, institutional purchasing and research into Iowa's evolving pork industry, Farm-to-School programs and the nexus healthy eating and regional food systems. · Read the entire article.
The 100-Mile Thanksgiving by Timothy Beatley The Design Observer Group Published 11/23/2009
What will be the energy footprint of your Thanksgiving dinner? How far will your turkey travel to the table? These are the kinds of question we?re learning to ask at our planning program at the University of Virginia, where for several years we?ve been teaching courses in community food. · Read the entire article.
Princeton Student Wins Rhodes for Farm to School Study by Jason Jung The Daily Princetonian Published 11/23/2009
Henry Barmeier ?10, a Wilson School major earning certificates in environmental studies and Spanish, is the University?s sole Rhodes Scholarship recipient for 2010. The Rhodes Trust announced this year?s winners late Saturday evening. · Read the entire article.
Barmeier ?10 wins Rhodes Scholarship by Jason Jung The Daily Princetonian Published 11/23/2009
Henry Barmeier ?10, a Wilson School major earning certificates in environmental studies and Spanish, is the University?s sole Rhodes Scholarship recipient for 2010. He actually designed a farm-to-school program involving the sale of produce from New Jersey farms to local schools for his term project. · Read the entire article.
Kitzhaber, Bradbury wager friendly campaigns by John Sowell NR Today Published 11/22/2009
If they didn't know better, the 215 people who attended Saturday evening's Flegel Victory Dinner might have thought John Kitzhaber and Bill Bradbury were working on the same campaign. · Read the entire article.
What ?Farm-To-School? Will Mean For Your Kids Decatur Metro Published 11/20/2009
At it?s most recent meeting, the Decatur School Board unanimously approved the extensive Farm-to-School action plan. · Read the entire article.
Food Safety: Another Benefit of Healthy School Lunch Programs? by Kim Ukura Eatdrinkbetter.com Published 11/20/2009
At the risk of sounding repetitive, I?d like to add to the growing list of the benefits for healthy school lunches and school lunch reform that we blogged about yesterday. On Tuesday, USA TODAY ran an investigative story about tainted school lunches that shows how safety lapses in food production or distribution can put children at risk. The lead of the piece is a story of almost 70 students at a Wisconsin elementary school who got sick two years ago after eating tainted tortillas. A subsequent investigation discovered that flour tortillas from the providing company were responsible for outbreaks at ?more than a dozen schools in two other states? over five years. The FDA issued a warning about the tortillas, but the article says the warning never made it to school officials. · Read the entire article.
Many benefits to regional food system by BRAD BURBAUGH jacksonville.com Published 11/20/2009
As National Farm City Week and the Thanksgiving holiday approach, we can be proud of our vast agricultural industry. As a nation, our farmers produce high quality, nutritious, safe and affordable food. Florida has a rich agricultural history that has transformed in recent years due to many internal and external factors. You might be surprised to find that the price of most agricultural products has increased only slightly during the last 30 years, while the cost of seed, fertilizer, farm equipment and labor has increased dramatically. · Read the entire article.
A fresh approach to school lunch Greene County Record Published 11/19/2009
?The only vending machines that spit out snacks are in staff areas,? said Debbie Brown, assistant superintendent for the Greene County School Division. She suggested that those machines be stocked with ?such things as SunChips and granola bars.? Moreover, Greene?s school system is going all out to see that the produce it serves its students is as fresh as it can be. Last week the school division started serving locally grown produce to students via the Virginia Farm to School Program, developed by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. · Read the entire article.
Farm to Table calendar captures the beauty of Humboldt County Redwood Times Published 11/19/2009
The Community Alliance with Family Farmers’ (CAFF) Farm to Table calendar is an annual fundraiser that helps keep important programs running for farmers and supports outreach to the community. Farm to Table illustrates a story of place. Local photographer and long time employee of Food for People, Chris Wisner, has captured the remarkable bounty of Humboldt County farms, emphasizing the color, textures, and spirit of the food and the farms from which it comes. The humble beauty of produce such as chard, cabbage, tomatoes and leeks are a tribute to the Humboldt farmers who work tirelessly to provide our sustenance. · Read the entire article.
Foods from farm to school by Amanda Cregan The Intelligencer Published 11/18/2009
At Palisades School District, school board members are among a growing number of school officials across the country looking to bring organic and locally grown food from the farm to the school. · Read the entire article.
Farm to school program starts at PR-B by Katie Anderson Pine and Lakes Published 11/18/2009
Locally grown food has found its way into the kitchens at Pine River-Backus School. The school kitchen has been working hard this fall to get more locally grown fruit and vegetables into student's diets. · Read the entire article.
School Lunch, Made From Scratch, Draws Rave Reviews by Martinique Davis The Watch Published 11/18/2009
Close to sixty pumpkins came home with the Telluride Intermediate School?s sixth graders following a recent field trip to a pumpkin farm near Delta. Those pumpkins wound up in new Telluride Schools? chef Jonny Taylor?s kitchen, and by the end of the week, Telluride students found fresh, low-sugar and low-fat pumpkin muffins in the school lunch lines. · Read the entire article.
New program to help farmers sell food to schools by Dawn House The Salt Lake Tribune Published 11/17/2009
Organizers are putting together a program to help local farmers sell fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products to Utah schools. The announcement came Tuesday during the urban farming conference at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center. The program, called Food to School, makes Utah among the last three states to set up a system that puts fresh, locally grown foods into school cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
Wash. awarded specialty-crop grants by Dan Wheat Capitol Press Published 11/15/2009
Washington state organizations will receive $2.6 million in federal assistance as they work to expand economic opportunities for specialty crop farmers and develop more efficient farming practices. Grants from the USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program are being administered by the state Department of Agriculture for projects to increase the competitiveness of state fruit, vegetable and horticulture growers. · Read the entire article.
Local Pupils, Local Food by Editorial St. Paul Pioneer Press Published 11/13/2009
Speaking of food, Minnesota farmers grow a lot of it. There's corn and wheat and sunflowers and barley and oats and canola and flax and spuds and beets and soybeans and other beans of many colors. There are cows and pigs and sheep and turkey and chicken and bison. A summer stroll through the St. Paul Farmers Market produces a list of delectables much longer, if less by volume. · Read the entire article.
Fruits of labor by Bob Stuart NewsVirginian.com Published 11/12/2009
Area school students are enjoying lunches this week that include apples from a Timberville orchard, lettuce from gardens in Dayton and organic Asian pears from Natural Bridge. · Read the entire article.
Highlights of the 2009 Alabama Food Summit by Amanda Storey Birmingham Weekly Published 11/12/2009
Why does food matter to you? And what kind of food matters to you? The convenient kind? The local kind? The fast kind? It probably depends on where you live, how much money you make and how much time you have available. For example, a weekend trip to Pepper Place Market might be considered a no-brainer to some, while others see it as a luxury if they can find transportation to get there. A midday meal comprised of a Big Mac and fries also might be a no-brainer to some, while others recognize that that kind of consumption is part of national food crisis of sorts ? a system in which obesity is epidemic and access to fresh, healthy food is limited. · Read the entire article.
Getting real about school lunches by Amanda Storey Birmingham Weekly Published 11/11/2009
If you aren’t packing your children's lunch each day, you trust the cafeteria is feeding them nutritionally balanced and safe foods. In fact, over 30 million kids across the country are relying on federally funded school lunches which are often prepackaged, processed, and a far cry from healthy. Here’s how it works: The National School Lunch Program assists schools (public and non-profit private) with a meal program that promises to provide “nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches.” The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reimburses participating schools with cash and/or donated commodities for each meal they serve. Sounds great, right? Well, not so fast. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School at Lakeview Union School in Vermont?s Northeast Kingdom by Lauren Ware Civil Eats Published 11/10/2009
Several years ago, a movement began with students and has grown into a revamping of the school lunch program, with direct-farm purchasing, a school garden, and even a whole-school composting system. It started when two fourth-grade students accompanied Lakeview?s principal, Linda Aiken, to a Vermont Rural Partnership conference and returned with an enthusiastic plan to start a salad bar. With the help of their teacher, they surveyed the students to find out which foods they would want and with food service staff support they set up and began offering it one day a week. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Week by Henry Graff NBC29 Published 11/09/2009
Students at Hollymead Elementary School are getting a taste of local veggies this week. This week Albemarle county schools are celebrating ?Farm to School Week.? · Read the entire article.
?It Takes You ?Eat Local? Produce Campaign Raised Awareness and nearly $3 million in Sales by N/A COMPASS GROUP NORTH AMERICA Published 11/09/2009
The week of September 21, 2009, Compass? clients and customers enjoyed the flavors of the seasonal harvest as thousands of locations across the country implemented the company-wide ?It Takes You ?Eat Local? campaign. · Read the entire article.
Ag Producers, Consumers pushing farm-to-table concept by Tom Lutey Billings Gazette Published 11/08/2009
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Farm to Cafeteria conference brings buyers, sellers to table by Jennifer Jackson Peninsula Daily News Published 11/06/2009
The message of the first North Olympic Peninsula Farm to The Cafeteria Conference on Thursday was that the farmer and the food buyer should be friends. · Read the entire article.
Unfit youths pose national security crisis in an emergency by N/A Idaho Mountain Express and Guide Published 11/06/2009
Credit the genius of American marketing and advertising for a large role in what has become a national scandal, perhaps even a national crisis in the event of a true security catastrophe. · Read the entire article.
Decatur?s Farm-to-School Program Takes Off by N/A Decatur Metro Published 11/06/2009
Michael Wall at Georgia Organics posted this video of CSD?s ?nutrition staff? taking a cooking class on working with more local and organic products at Cook?s Warehouse in Decatur. [h/t:Decaturfm via Twitter] This class is just one of many steps in the Farm to School program?s aggressive strategic plan to improve school nutrition in Decatur?s schools by incorporating more local, natural foods in school lunches. The full Strategic Plan and its many, many steps can be viewed as part of the School Board?s agenda for next week, when they will vote on its approval. · Read the entire article.
Minnesota farm to school efforts catch eye of USDA Deputy Secretary Merrigan by Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy Press Release Published 11/05/2009
Minnesota farm to school efforts that provide students with healthy, locally grown food are attracting national attention. Earlier this week, USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan toured St. Paul Schools? commissary to get a first-hand look at the district?s Farm to School program and hear about other similar efforts around the state. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Workshop with the Decatur school nutrition team by Georgia Organics- Michael Wall Published 11/05/2009
Today the City Schools of Decatur?s school nutrition staff met at the Cooks Warehouse in Decatur to learn how Farm to School activities can get kids to eat healthier and support the local economy. Plus, they were shown nut-and-bolts knife and cooking skills that they can use in school cafeteria kitchens. They also prepared a delicious meal that highlighted fresh, local and seasonal foods, including chicken vegetable soup, sweet potato wild rice, cranberry apple sauce, and a seasonal salad made with cauliflower, broccoli, and goat cheese chevre. · Read the entire article.
Nature Goes to School by James Hataway & Jordan Sarver WNEG Published 11/05/2009
Nearly 175 parents and teachers from all over Georgia came to Chase Street Elementary School last weekend for the 13th Annual Outdoor Classroom Symposium. · Read the entire article.
Obama's chef and policy wonk by E. B. Solomont Mother Nature Network Published 11/05/2009
On any given day, White House chef Sam Kass can be found grilling fish for the Obama family, tending the first lady?s organic garden or hashing out food policy ideas with senior administration advisers. Indeed, it is a unique role for a 29-year-old chef described as ?part chef and part policy wonk,? by the New York Times. But for Kass, his affinity for healthy eating has propelled him from the kitchen and into the spotlight, as a vocal advocate for Michelle Obama?s healthy eating and healthy living agenda. · Read the entire article.
Minnesota Farm to School Efforts Catch Eye of USDA Deputy Secretary Merrigan by Ben Lilliston Commondreams.org Published 11/05/2009
Minnesota farm to school efforts that provide students with healthy, locally grown food are attracting national attention. Earlier this week, USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan toured St. Paul Schools? commissary to get a first-hand look at the district?s Farm to School program and hear about other similar efforts around the state. · Read the entire article.
USDA: St. Paul Public Schools 'Pioneers' in Farm-to-School Programs by Laura Thornquist Public News Service Published 11/04/2009
St. Paul Public Schools have attracted so much recent attention that Kathleen Merrigan, U.S. Department of Agriculture deputy secretary, says she's "going back to school," touring the public school commissary to learn how the district is implementing a successful farm-to-school program. · Read the entire article.
From farm to school: Lunches get more local in District 196 by Erin Johnson This Week Live Published 11/04/2009
The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District this year is aiming to introduce a new locally grown food item to students each month as part of a national program called Farm to School. So far, district students have munched on Honeycrisp apples, corn on the cob, and grass-fed beef hot dogs, all from area farms. · Read the entire article.
Grant to help school food program expand by N/A Rutland Herald Published 11/04/2009
· Read the entire article.
USDA Announces More Funding for Beginning Farmers by Paula Mohr The Farmer Published 11/04/2009
USDA deputy ag secretary Kathleen Merrigan visited with farmers in Elgin, school officials in St. Paul and agri-business owners in Minneapolis Tuesday on her trip through Minnesota. In Elgin, she announced USDA's intent to distribute $17 million in grants to 29 institutions that will help beginning farmers and ranchers. In Minnesota, recipients are Land Stewardship Project ($413,820) and Farmers' Legal Action Group, Inc. ($506,170). · Read the entire article.
Tater tots out, apples in by DREW KERR PostStar Published 11/04/2009
Little Debbie has left the building. So have the French fries, the high-fructose fruit snacks, the faux chicken nuggets and the packages of potato chips - items previously available to students in the Saratoga Springs City School District during their lunch hour. In their place: roasted potatoes from Sheldon Farms in Salem, honey crisp apples from Saratoga Apple in Schuylerville and myriad other examples of local produce - including some grown by students in their own school-based gardens. · Read the entire article.
A White House Chef Who Wears Two Hats by Rachel L. Swarns The New York Times Published 11/03/2009
Indeed, Obama administration officials describe him as a vital conduit to the first family. ?How do I get to the first lady, how do I try to transmit ideas and messages to her? Sam Kass,? said Kathleen Merrigan, the deputy agriculture secretary. ?He?s been a real ally when we talk about farm to school.? · Read the entire article.
Sussex Tech wins award for health initiatives in school by N/A Cape Gazette Published 11/03/2009
The Sussex Child Health Promotion Coalition recently conferred one of three Promoting Healthy Lifestyle Awards to Sussex Technical High School in recognition of the school?s efforts to promote healthy activities. The coalition is a Nemours Health and Prevention Services Initiative in collaboration with the citizens of Sussex County. · Read the entire article.
Nation's oldest by Ike Wilson The Frederick News Published 11/02/2009
Having spent a lifetime in the industry, Buddy Hance's agriculture credentials are impressive. The Maryland Department of Agriculture secretary still farms today after putting in a hard day's work in Annapolis. · Read the entire article.
Support fresh food for kids by Sara Flanery Missoulian Published 11/01/2009
Children are hungry for foods that will nourish them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children born the year that my daughter was (2000) are the first to have a lower life expectancy than their parents, and have no doubts that this is in large part because of the food we are feeding them. · Read the entire article.
Farm to spork: Children see fruits of partnering schools with farms by Rachel Gleason Great Lakes Echo Published 10/29/2009
At McAuliffe Elementary School in Chicago, kids are more likely to see local fruits and veggies on their lunch trays than mystery meat and greasy pizza. They also visit local farms and learn about how the food is grown. ?It gives them a sense of appreciation,? said Gary Cuneen, founding director of an organization that partners schools with local farms. ?We are trying to teach kids that taking care of the earth and taking care of their bodies are interrelated goals.? · Read the entire article.
Sanford students learn the joy of tomatoes by Judy Swenson Montevideo American News Published 10/29/2009
Sanford Elementary students received a special treat last Thursday. Representatives from the Land Stewardship Project Terry VanDerPol and Tom Taylor, along with Lynn Mader from the University of Minnesota Extension program, Pauline Strand lund of PK Strand lund Farms, and Audrey Arner of Moonstone Farm, paid a visit to the school last Thursday with bunches of tomatoes in tow. Hawaii Community Foundation Announces Historic $50 Million Gift Business Wire Published 10/27/2009
The Hawai`i Community Foundation announced today a six-year, $50 million commitment from Pierre and Pam Omidyar ? believed to be the largest single gift by a living donor in the state of Hawai`i?s history. The investment will be used to launch several community initiatives over the six-year period as well as support the Omidyars? ongoing philanthropic interests through the Omidyar `Ohana Fund at the Hawai`i Community Foundation. · Read the entire article.
eBay founder, wife pledge $50 million to Hawaii charities over six years. Honolulu Advertiser Published 10/27/2009
eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam have pledged to donate $50 million over six years to the Hawaii Community Foundation. The foundation said it believed the donation is the largest single gift by a living donor in Hawaii's history. The investment will be used to launch several community initiatives over the six-year period as well as support the Omidyars' ongoing philanthropic interests through the Omidyar Ohana Fund at the Hawaii Community Foundation. · Read the entire article.
Farr bill aims to get students to eat their veggies by Kurtis Alexander Santa Cruz Sentinel Published 10/26/2009
Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, is renewing his push for salad bars in schools through legislation that would require more fruits and vegetables on campus menus. The Children's Fruit and Vegetable Act of 2009, which Farr expects to introduce in coming weeks, directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to spend more of its school food budget on produce and provide additional money for cafeteria upgrades like salad bars. · Read the entire article.
Specialty crops grants include Garrett County Cumberland Times-News Published 10/25/2009
The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced winners of $450,560 in grants that will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Maryland. ?We are pleased to announce awardees of the Maryland Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The 2008 Farm Bill provided significant grant funding dedicated to specialty crops to become available,? said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. · Read the entire article.
Food system reform starts with children by Jennifer Wilkins The Ithaca Journal Published 10/24/2009
Evidence from numerous studies points to the critical role diet plays in chronic disease risk. Treatment costs for diet-related diseases are mounting: $147 billion for obesity, $116 billion for diabetes and hundreds of billions to treat cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Making healthier food choices more affordable and available to all Americans is a logical complement to - if not an essential component of - reform. · Read the entire article.
National panel taps Lebanon teacher by Jennifer Moddy Albany Democrat Herald Published 10/24/2009
Organizers of a national panel on environmental practices in school nutrition have tapped Lebanon's Pam Lessley as a participant. Lessley, the Lebanon Community School District's director of nutrition, will travel at the expense of the National Food Service Management Institute to Hattiesburg, Miss., this Monday. She will serve on a panel that is researching conservation practices to develop a survey for schools nationwide. She plans a presentation to the Lebanon School Board on the experience sometime after her return on Oct. 29. · Read the entire article.
National panel taps Lebanon teacher by Jennifer Moddy Albany Democrat Herald Published 10/24/2009
Organizers of a national panel on environmental practices in school nutrition have tapped Lebanon's Pam Lessley as a participant. Lessley, the Lebanon Community School District's director of nutrition, will travel at the expense of the National Foo · Read the entire article.
Sussex Tech Recognized with Promoting Healthy Lifestyles Award Sussex Countian Published 10/23/2009
Sussex Tech has partnered with Nemours to promote health and wellness for children. It has established three goals that can be sustained for many years. First, the school promotes nutritional awareness by participating in the Farm to School initiative allowing fresh, local produce to be provided for school lunches, as well as a new salad bar. Next, beginning in January, it will be promoting physical activity by beginning the ?5 Anytime? program where teachers can turn on the TV monitor during the school day for five minutes of physical activity. Finally, the school will host Student and Staff Health Week later in the school year. · Read the entire article.
Home Grown School Lunch Week makes connections by Jean Caspers-Simmet Agri-News Published 10/22/2009
Eleven northeast Iowa schools served local foods on school lunch menus and participated in nutrition education and fitness activities as part of Home Grown School Lunch Week. Coleslaw served for lunch will be made with cabbage and carrots grown by Oelwein FFA. The FFA, which manages a vegetable plot, will also provide food for a supper the district is hosting for third graders and their parents. · Read the entire article.
To Cut Global Warming, Swedes Study Their Plates by Elizabeth Rosenthal New York Times Published 10/22/2009
But if a new experiment here succeeds, she and millions of other Swedes will soon find out. New labels listing the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the production of foods, from whole wheat pasta to fast food burgers, are appearing on some grocery items and restaurant menus around the country. People who live to eat might dismiss this as silly. But changing one?s diet can be as effective in reducing emissions of climate-changing gases as changing the car one drives or doing away with the clothes dryer, scientific experts say. · Read the entire article.
WJHS Students enjoy a local harvest lunch by Reg Bennett York County Coast Star Published 10/22/2009
This was the first Maine Harvest Lunch at WJHS and is part of a growing statewide movement encouraged by the Maine Department of Education simply known as "Farm to School." For one school day, many schools across Maine make it a point to serve locally grown food. · Read the entire article.
How Healthy Are Your Child's School Meals? by Sue Shellenbarger Wall Street Journal Published 10/22/2009
Just yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack challenged the nationâ??s middle schools and high schools to provide healthier meals and more time for exercise and physical activity for their students, according to the New York Times. · Read the entire article.
University of New Hampshire Adds Zipcar to Campus Sys-Con Media Published 10/22/2009
Beginning today, a mix of six self-service hybrid and fuel efficient Zipcars will be available for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The vehicles are located in reserved spaces at the Dairy Bar, Thompson Hall and Quad Way in Lower Campus, and are available to all faculty, staff and students ages 18 and older. Durham residents ages 21 and older will also be able to join. Gas, insurance, 180 free miles, reserved parking and roadside assistance are included in low hourly and daily rates. · Read the entire article.
Annual ethnic guide sets diverse table by Heather McPherson Orlando Sentinel Published 10/21/2009
Finally! There's enough chill in the air to not feel guilty about stew and chili on the menu. Today, my blog is filled with recipes worthy of your soup pot. While you heat up the stove, I'll serve up the daily dish: Eat global, buy local. Today you'll find our annual ethnic grocery guide inside the section. We keep this list online year-round, so I want to hear about any places we've overlooked. Simply shoot me an e-mail, quick note or call and we'll update it immediately at OrlandoSentinel.com/ethnicgroceryguide. The Central Florida larder has a wealth of diversity for all to enjoy. There's a world of flavor for you to discover. Use our annual listings to begin your culinary explorations! · Read the entire article.
School uses dinner as learning opportunity by Tarah Campi Statesman Journal Published 10/21/2009
The line for dinner didn't let up for more than an hour earlier this month as students, parents and staffers celebrated the new school year at McKinley Elementary School with a meal together. It was the first big get-together after summer break, so there was lots to talk about. But at this gathering, most people were talking about the food â?? tomatoes, zucchini and other vegetables from Mount Angel growers; hormone-free herb-marinated chicken breast; and bushels of apples and pears delivered by the farmers who grew them. · Read the entire article.
Growing Pains by Marcia Vanderlip Columbia Daily Tribune Published 10/21/2009
Offered but not taken was yesterdayâ??s special, a cold chicken fajita wrap â?? a newer menu item featuring chicken, a jalapeño -infused flour tortilla, American cheese and fresh spinach. Canned corn is popular in the cafeteria, but other fresh salad bar items are not. Ice cream is dispensed and heartily eaten. Elementary children get ice cream once a month for Happy Birthday Day, but in middle school, junior high and high school, everyday choices include pizza, deli sandwiches and ice cream. · Read the entire article.
Advertising Cooking, Not Reheating by Marcia Vanderlip Columbia Daily Tribune Published 10/21/2009
National School Lunch Week came and went last week without much fanfare. For much of it, I toiled on a story about our local lunch program. After discovering the arcane methods by which federal mandates define a nutritious lunch â?? based on a fat/carb data-gathering system â?? I understand why the local folks told me, â??Food is not simple.â? · Read the entire article.
Obama's Next School Message: Eat Your Veggies by Marcus Weaver-Hightower Education Week News Published 10/20/2009
President Barack Obama is fond of saying that parents have a responsibility to their childrenâ??s education to turn off the TV and video games, an idea reiterated in his back-to-school speech to U.S. schoolchildren. That speech featured advice to take personal responsibility for oneâ??s own education, set goals, do homework, behave, and never give up, despite personal or institutional barriers. · Read the entire article.
Nationwide, there's a small movement to get local produce onto school lunch trays by Julie Anderson Southwest Iowa News Published 10/18/2009
"The overall goal for us really is to be able to come to the point where farm-to-school is somewhat easy to institutionalize," said Marion Kalb, co-director of the National Farm to School Network. "Over the years, it's become more popular. Ultimately, we would like it to be the norm, not the exception." · Read the entire article.
Henderson County Children Eat Local Apples WLOS Published 10/18/2009
Elementary students in Henderson County eat and learn about local food. Apples in coleslaw! · Read the entire article.
Local schools join Farm to School program Bozeman Daily Chronicle Published 10/17/2009
Six Bozeman-area schools -- Whittier, Irving, Longfellow, Hawthorne, Morning Star and Gallatin Gateway -- have teamed up with Gallatin Valley Farm to School program to sell healthy, Montana-made foods and gifts as a fundraiser. · Read the entire article.
Students favor local flavor by Julie Anderson Omaha World Herald Published 10/16/2009
?The kids'll eat wonderful,? said Rice, food service manager for Central City Public Schools. Admittedly, it's a bit unusual for a lunch lady to go directly to the fields to purchase produce. She is part of a national movement to put more fresh, locally grown produce on school lunch trays. Local products are seen as more nutritious because they can get from field to table quicker, with less time to lose nutrients. Less fuel typically is used in transporting them, and local markets mean opportunities for area farmers. · Read the entire article.
Farm to school lunch slow to fruition by Julie Anderson Kearney Hub Published 10/16/2009
In Nebraska, there's no count of how many schools are using locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats and eggs. A task force is wrapping up work on a study, authorized by a legislative resolution last session, to find ways to connect schools and farms. "There's so much in the news about health - obesity, juvenile diabetes - that I think the public is really ready to look at how we eat and our local food economy," said State Sen. Annette Dubas of Fullerton, who sponsored the resolution. · Read the entire article.
School lunches: fresh, nutritious, and affordable by Scott Blackburn Bethany Beach Wave Published 10/15/2009
This week is National School Lunch Week. Schools across the country celebrate this week to highlight the importance and benefits of school lunches. The National School Lunch Program has come a long way since its inception in 1946, when Congress felt it was necessary to have a food program in schools that promoted a good, hot meal for students. · Read the entire article.
Downtown Throwdown Joins Local Food Events by Sarah Lemon Mail Tribune Published 10/15/2009
As the season for food-centered events gears up, downtown Medford is emerging with a popular new tradition: the Downtown Throwdown. Regular participants in the Third Friday Art Walk are already familiar with the throwdown, which debuted in July. It?s the brainchild of Nora LaBrocca, a designer for Terra Firma Home and owner of the quasi-catering company Downtown Market Co. Incidentally, LaBrocca has earned top marks in all three previous throwdowns against the stiff competition of 38 Central, Elements Tapas Bar & Lounge, Jackson Creek Pizza Co. and Deli Down. · Read the entire article.
Grants Awarded for Specialty Crops by Brian Allmer Brian Allmer Radio Network Blog Published 10/15/2009
Sixteen grants totaling more than $625,000 have been awarded through the Colorado Department of Agriculture?s Specialty Crops Program. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, seeds, greenhouse and nursery products, and sod. Funds are received by CDA from the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s Agricultural Marketing Service initiatives aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Colorado?s fruit, vegetable and green industries. A complete copy of the U.S.D.A. news release is below. · Read the entire article.
Mascot for Broncos to help kick off Lunch Week Greeley Tribune Published 10/15/2009
The School Nutrition Association is pursuing a theme of eating healthfully and being active for this year's National School Lunch week. During the ?Eat Right Get Movin' with Miles? assembly, Miles will encourage students to fuel up on low-fat or fat-free milk, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, as recommended by the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. · Read the entire article.
$2.6 million in federal grants will promote Washington agriculture by Jason Kelly Access Washington Published 10/15/2009
After reviewing more than 100 initial concept papers and 35 proposals, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) selected 14 projects that will increase the competitiveness of the state's fruit, vegetable and horticulture growers. Funding for the research, education and marketing projects is provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. · Read the entire article.
School Gardens Co-op Questions Quality of District's School Lunches by Ellen Gilbert Town Topics Published 10/14/2009
?Why do we have Chartwell?s, one of the largest food service companies in the world serving lunches to our children in the beautiful garden state?? asked Princeton School Gardens Cooperative coordinator Diane Landis recently. In response to the recent appearance of Chartwell representative Cindy Hill at a PRS Board meeting to tout the company?s efforts to improve school lunches, Ms. Landis said that ?We are cautiously hopeful that Chartwells will come through. They do still serve highly processed foods. I rarely see fish or eggs on the menu ? they do serve pizza dunkers, French toast with syrup, and other party type foods to our kids.? · Read the entire article.
Exporting Asheville's know-how by Hannah Rachel Raskin Mountain X Press Published 10/14/2009
To achieve the goal of eating closer to home, last month some food activists took a trip to a very faraway place. Asheville's Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project this fall hosted its first-ever Local Food Institute, designed to familiarize local-food-market developers from Tennessee to Toledo with ways to energize their economies. For three days, participants tromped around downtown Asheville, eating lunch in the Isaac Dickson cafeteria, touring Greenlife Grocery and confabbing with the tourism officials who've crafted the Foodtopian Society initiative, helping to thrust edible experiences to the top of many Asheville visitors' itineraries. · Read the entire article.
Boulder Waldorf kindergarten lets children learn from the ground up by Meghan Tschanz Daily Camera Published 10/14/2009
Farmer Dave, a.k.a. Dave Brady, a co-founder of the kindergarten, assures the children that they will all get turns, as he leads Daisy Mae, the biggest of the goats, out of her pen and onto the milking stand. He begins milking and gives the first couple of squirts to Cody, a Great Pyrenees dog, who catches it in his mouth. · Read the entire article.
Students Enjoy Local Foods in Cafeterias My Backyard News Published 10/14/2009
Schools across the state are purchasing and serving fresh, locally grown food to students in celebration of Massachusetts Harvest for Students Week, September 21-25, 2009. During the Week, schools are highlighting local foods on their menus and supporting their local economy by purchasing food grown in Massachusetts. · Read the entire article.
In Iowa, Vilsack touts local food, regulation by Mike Glover Associated Press Published 10/13/2009
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack returned to Iowa on Tuesday to promote locally grown food and urge that states be given a key role in tighter regulation of the financial services industry. Vilsack, the state's governor for eight years, spoke Tuesday morning at a food security conference, saying his agency supported local food production that keeps consumers closer to the food supply. · Read the entire article.
School Lunch Revolution Blossoms in Baltimore by Ralph Loglisci Civil Eats Blog Published 10/13/2009
Ralph Loglisci with the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future wrote up a fabulous summary on Civil Eats of the Baltimore City Schools cafeteria accomplishments highlighting: -Students' Cafeteria Bill of Rights -Great factoids, i.e.:A case of Maryland apples costs the Baltimore City Public Schools about $6, while a case of government-approved apples costs them about $56. --Coverage of the House Hearing where Tony Geraci and students testified : http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=EdLaborDemocrats#p/u/1/eZwBFN5HlYA Excerpt: Sometimes change happens in the most unexpected places. When I learned that Baltimore City Public Schools was on a mission to change the way its more than 80,000 students thought about food, I have to admit, I was surprised. The cash strapped school system has long faced difficult challenges and the last place I expected to see noticeable reform was with its food services department. To top that off, you could have bowled me over when I heard that the City Schools? new chef/dietitian, Melissa Mahoney, convinced her boss, Tony Geraci, to let her develop her own Meatless Monday lunch menus. To be honest, I doubt that Mahoney needed to do a lot of convincing. When it comes to dreaming up innovative and cost effective ways to feed kids healthy, tasty, whole foods, Geraci isn?t shy about pushing the envelope. It?s Geraci?s bold and sometimes brash entrepreneur spirit that has captured the attention of food policy experts across the country, including the White House. · Watch the video · Read the entire article.
Gardenshare Presents Annual Awards The Gouverneur Times Published 10/13/2009
GardenShare presented its seventh annual Growing Community Awards to Julie Holbrook for Keene Central School's gardening and composting project and to Cindy Harnas for South Jefferson Central School's farm-to-school project. · Read the entire article.
Food Policy and Security: from Farm to Table and Classroom Progressive State Network Blog Published 10/13/2009
Food is at the center of our lives - the average American spends 1 of every 8 dollars on food and public policy plays a crucial role in whether that food is healthy and safe for our families. Disease outbreaks due to unsafe food, rising obesity rates and environmental concerns about wasteful agricultural practices have all focused attention on advancing new policies to improve both food safety and better nutrition in our communities. · Read the entire article.
Vilsack: For locally grown food, not against GMOs by Dan Looker Agriculture Online Published 10/13/2009
Speaking to a group of food activists in Des Moines, Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack got a standing ovation after describing the Obama administration's efforts to promote farmers markets and expand locally-grown foods into schools, hospitals and other government institutions. But when he refused to agree with a questioner that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are ineffective and dangerous, he was greeted by a smattering of boos. · Read the entire article.
Vermont FEED receives $476,000 from the Centers for Disease Control to Advance Farm to School progr by Koi Boynton Market Watch Published 10/12/2009
Centers for Disease Control awards Shelburne Farms, partner and fiscal agent for VT FEED, $476,000 for Farm to School efforts in Vermont. This award comes on the heels of a U.S. government study released last week showing that most Americans don't eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. As a senior member of both the Appropriations and Agriculture Committees, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) was instrumental in securing this funding. Leahy said, ?The funding I secured through the CDC will allow VT FEED to continue and expand Farm to School efforts throughout the state, giving kids the opportunity to eat more fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. With obesity prevention a national health priority, it is encouraging to see Vermont doing so much for childhood nutrition.? · Read the entire article.
Barre to honor 5 at 28th annual Community Service Recognition Night Barre Montpelier Times Argus Published 10/12/2009
A group of outstanding community volunteers will be honored this Thursday when the Knights of Columbus Hall hosts the 28th annual Community Service Recognition Night. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a social hour, cash bar and hors d'oeuvres. The recipients of this year's awards will be welcomed into the hall at 6:45 p.m. by piper Ian Gauthier, accompanied by representatives of the four Barre service clubs, the Altrusa, Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary. At 7 p.m., a dinner of mostaccioli and chicken will be served. · Read the entire article.
Locally-grown produce part of WDC schools? lunch program by Dana Pavek Morris Sun Tribune Published 10/10/2009
As hungry high school students line up for lunch, the tangy aroma of sweet peppers drifts from the Wadena-Deer Creek (WDC) High School kitchen. One of the choices on the menu ? chicken fajitas with fresh, sautéed peppers. Outside in the High School Commons where students eat and congregate, WDC Food Services Director Sandie Rentz and University of Minnesota Extension Nutrition Education Coordinator Donna Anderson offer students a ?taste? of fresh sliced peppers grown at a farm near Henning. Behind Rentz and Anderson is a display touting the nutritional benefits of peppers. · Read the entire article.
The South's fruit and vegetable crisis by Sue Strugis Institution for Southern Studies Published 10/09/2009
You might not think it could happen in the region noted for a cuisine featuring sweet potatoes, greens, okra and watermelon, but a groundbreaking new federal report shows that no U.S. state is meeting national goals for consumption of fruit and vegetables -- and the situation is especially dire in the South. · Read the entire article.
Failing the fruit test by Suzanne Havala Hobbs News and observer Published 10/07/2009
North Carolina teens are failing the fruit and vegetable test. They're not alone. No state meets national recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption, according to a report issued late last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On average, fewer than 10 percent of U.S. high school students get the recommended three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruits each day. North Carolina falls well below that average, with only 6 percent of teens getting enough fruits and vegetables. · Read the entire article.
CDC to NC residents: Eat your fruits and veggies WRAL.com Published 10/07/2009
A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report shows that North Carolinians aren't eating enough fruits and vegetables. According to the State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 25 percent of North Carolina adults meet the recommendation of at least two servings of fruit a day, compared with 33 percent nationwide. Thirty percent of adults statewide meet the vegetable recommendation of at least three servings daily, compared with 27 percent in the U.S. · Read the entire article.
Better Diets, Healthier Nation by Jennifer Wilkins Albany Times Union Published 10/06/2009
Most Americans agree that the United States needs health care reform in in a big way. The debate about how to change the system has centered on its many inefficiencies and lack of competition, the economic logic of physician-ordered tests and procedures, and mind-boggling layers of bureaucracy. Many support a public option so that no one in this country need go without health coverage. · Read the entire article.
Homegrown is Preferable for School Lunches by Buddy Hance and Nancy S. Grasmick Delmarva Now! Published 10/05/2009
Imagine the impact on families and communities if even one local item is included in school lunches for each of 950,000 Maryland public school students. Farmers would have additional income, thereby strengthening the local economy and keeping farm land open and productive. Our children would receive the nutritional benefits of fresh, local products, as well as knowledge of why this matters. And the financial, environmental and nutritional costs of transporting food would decrease. · Read the entire article.
Weathers will seek new term as agriculture commissioner by Gene Zaleski The Times and Democrat Published 10/05/2009
Bowman dairy farmer and S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers says he will run for re-election in November 2010. "I am going to run for re-election to continue building upon what we have started," Weathers said. "I think we have gotten some good things initiated on the part of agriculture, forestry and the state. I hope to continue to build on that." · Read the entire article.
Anderson hires Farmer?s Market manager by Mike Ellis IndependentMail.com Published 10/05/2009
Anderson County?s new Farmer?s Market manager, Tandy Wickiser, began work today. Wickiser said she aims to keep working on the sustainable agriculture programs that have been at the center of the Farmer?s Market for more than a year. ?I want to encourage our members to start thinking local,? she said. ?If we can spend more money in our county on locally owned businesses and farmers, that would make us bulletproof from an economic recession.? · Read the entire article.
Micro eco-farming and organic small farming: New school markets opening up www.MicroEcoFarming.com Published 10/03/2009
The micro and small farming community knows that to make money farming, it isn?t about growing more corn, it?s about connecting directly to great markets. A brand new initiative will give $50 million for schools to buy local produce. Previous to this, the 2008 Farm Bill already allowed more flexibility and help for farm to school programs. · Read the entire article.
School Notes and Updates: Florida The Ledger Published 10/03/2009
A comprehensive look at events and happenings at select schools across Florida. · Read the entire article.
District aims to help kids make healthy choices by Nathan Hansen Rosemount Town Pages Published 10/02/2009
When Rosemount students sat down for lunch on Tuesday they had a something a little different on their trays: fresh Minnesota sweet corn, grown in Stewart, steamed that morning in the school?s own kitchen and served warm with a pat of butter. · Read the entire article.
EV district takes fresh approach to lunch by Nina Culver The Spokesman Review Published 10/01/2009
East Valley school district is moving toward more fresh fruits and vegetables, and is sourcing from local farms in season. Excerpt: [Kitchen manager] Cash said that the kitchen workers requested the menu changes. ?We were not happy with the old program,? she said. ?They worked with us, and it changed for the better.? The cooks are busier now that they?re making more things from scratch, but they don?t mind. ?It?s worth it,? said Cash. ?The kids are giving us compliments.? · Read the entire article.
From local farm to school lunch tray by Victor Alvarez EastBayRI.com Published 10/01/2009
New England?s finer restaurants have long been part of the national trend of sourcing local ingredients for their menus. Now it?s time for Seekonk?s schools to get into the act. · Read the entire article.
Hawaii adults rank higher than national average in fruit, vegetable consumption by Baron Hawaii247.org Published 10/01/2009
A national report card on healthy eating habits for the first time provides Hawaii data on fruit and vegetable consumption, environmental supports and policies that may help Americans eat more fruits and vegetables. · Read the entire article.
Halton: Farm to School program expands halton.ca Published 10/01/2009
Representatives from the Farm to School Steering Committee, of which Halton Region is a member, joined students, staff, community representatives at a school barbeque yesterday at Gardiner Public School in Georgetown to launch the expansion of the Farm to School program. Attendees at the event enjoyed fresh corn that was delivered to the school by Allison's Farm Market. After a successful pilot last year with St. John?s Catholic School in Burlington, the initiative has expanded to include 10 schools in Halton for the 2009-2010 school year. The program provides participating Halton elementary schools with links to a local food supplier, $400 for the purchase of locally grown vegetable and fruit, menu ideas, and healthy eating curriculum supports. · Read the entire article.
Know Your Farmer -- Better Yet, Know Your Farm Worker by Angles Garbes Seattle Weekly Published 10/01/2009
Anyone who works in the food industry knows that the Latino workforce is essential to its success. But to the average "foodie," these workers are practically invisible. From line cooks to dishwashers to farm workers who harvest fruits and vegetables, Latinos remain largely out of view, which means the issues they face are rarely discussed in the food community. But it looks like this is beginning to change. · Read the entire article.
Changing the Look of School Lunch One Tray at a Time The Jackson Blazer Published 10/01/2009
We often think of school lunch as cardboard pizza and grey green beans, but for students at Concord Community Schools, lunch looks very different. Over the past year, students have enjoyed fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables as part of their school lunch. In the fall of 2008, Food Service Director Alan Breneman began a Farm to School program in the school district and started sourcing produce from area farmers. Mr. Breneman became connected to local farmers through a partnership with Food System Economic Partnership, a non-profit in southeast Michigan that works to link farmers with consumers. · Read the entire article.
Outdoor Classroom by Mark Sage and Caitlin Sullivan Southwest Virginia Today Published 09/30/2009
Three hundred sixth-graders descended onto Johnson?s Highland Dairy Farm on Tuesday and another 300 are scheduled to show up today at part of the sixth grade Conservation Farm Field Day organized by Holston River Soil & Water Conservation District. The students picked at benthic macroinvertebrates from the stream, fed calves and learned about how a dairy works and where the manure goes. They also learned about topographic maps, cover crops, soil and erosion, the water cycle, water conservation and the effects of land use on water quality. These are all things the sixth-graders would be learning anyway, from their textbooks, but on this day they get to see, smell and feel it. Dave Johnson began opening up his family farm to school children about 20 years ago. Usually a teacher would call him and a class of schoolchildren would take a tour of the farm. Since the first Farm Field Day five years ago, his farm reaches more people. · Read the entire article.
Eating in America Still Unhealthy: CDC U.S. News and World Report Published 09/29/2009
The goal for the Healthy People 2010 program is to get at least 75 percent of Americans to eat the recommended two or more daily servings of fruit and for at least 50 percent of Americans to consume three or more daily servings of vegetables. · Read the entire article.
New Documentary on Local Food Movement has an Oregon-Heavy Cast by Scott Learn The Oregonian Published 09/28/2009
A new local-food documentary, "Ingredients," has a Portland-based producer and a set of stars that's a bit of a who's who in Oregon's locavore movement. The cast of the feature-length film, which debuted in Portland this weekend, includes farmers and chefs from Oregon to New York talking about the benefits and challenges of buying food from local producers. · Read the entire article.
LETTER: Locally Grown Food for Our Students by Buddy Hance and Nancy Grasmick Southern Maryland Headline News Published 09/28/2009
We would like to extend our congratulations to school food and nutrition services directors throughout Maryland. Thanks to their overwhelming support and enthusiasm, all of our 24 public school systems participated in the 2nd annual Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week (Sept. 14-18). This exciting week is part of the Farm to School Program which is designed to bring more Maryland-grown products to school lunches and to help educate students about the source of their food, how it is produced, and the benefits of a healthy diet. · Read the entire article.
Activist: School Lunch Can Be Fresh and Tasty by Morgan Josey Glover News and Record: Greensboro-North Carolina Published 09/27/2009
When Alice Waters visited the city last week, she did more than help raise money for the new Edible Schoolyard at the Greensboro Children?s Museum. She also advanced a national campaign to add vegetable gardens and serve healthier, locally produced meals in all public schools. · Read the entire article.
Local foods featured in schools by Cynthya Porter Winona Post Published 09/27/2009
There is a groundswell for local food in this region and the epicenter of it is right in the kitchens at District 861. Monday 72 food service professionals from across Southeastern Minnesota visited the district to learn more about how food service officials here have made it their mission to serve children fresh food grown close to home. · Read the entire article.
Area pumpkin patches popular fall familly fun destinations by Robert Pore The Grand Island Independent Published 09/26/2009
As fall transforms the landscape, one of its many colors and sights are the orange pumpkin patch. A symbol of seasonal change, like falling leaves, enterprising area growers have turned the traditional pumpkin patch into a fun fall family destination, along with a way to improve the bottom line of their operations. · Read the entire article.
Thinking Outside The School Lunchbox by Jenna Johnson Washington Post Published 09/24/2009
Lunch menus at several local schools are getting a makeover: Less mystery meat, canned fruit and sad-looking green beans. More fresh fruit, veggies, eggs, cheese and meat from farms just down the road. · Read the entire article.
Thinking Outside The School Lunchbox by Jenna Johnson The Washington Post Published 09/24/2009
Slowly, the buy-local phenomenon, which has made farmers markets and harvest subscriptions all the rage, is hitting school lunch programs. Maryland dubbed last week Homegrown School Lunch Week and encouraged cafeteria staffs to use local produce. Virginia plans to organize a similar statewide event in November. · Read the entire article.
Local, vegetarian food comes to city schools by Laura Vozzella The Baltimore Sun Published 09/24/2009
On Mondays throughout the year, cafeteria menus will be all vegetarian - a first for city schools and, it's believed, any large school system nationwide. But city school lunches are moving in that direction, and attracting national attention, including a visit last week by assistant White House chef Sam Kass and U.S. Department of Education officials to Hampstead Hill, a public charter school near Patterson Park. · Read the entire article.
Community Foundation awards $1 million to quality of life efforts by Sherri Begin Welch Crain's Detroit Business Published 09/24/2009
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has awarded $1.04 million to local nonprofits working to improve the quality-of-life in the region. · Read the entire article.
Challenges, successes for schools by Richard Devlin West Linn Tidings Published 09/24/2009
The 2009-10 school year is under way and I would like to welcome all the students, teachers, and school employees back to school and hope everyone has a productive and rewarding year. The Legislature faced many challenges this session and the global economic downturn forced us to make significant cuts across state government. · Read the entire article.
Many limbs of family tree help berry business grow by Clarice Keating Catholic Sentinel Published 09/23/2009
Theirs is a sweet life. Harvests begin to slow down this time of year for the Unger family, farmers of Oregon strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and grapes. As the trees turn to autumn colors, farmers? markets ? 17 in all where Unger berries are represented ? carry the fruits of the family?s labor through early October. Farming is in the blood for this family. And like the tangled vines of the grapes they grow, the harvest season touches many different lines in their ancestral tree as well as within their community. · Read the entire article.
Students get a taste of farm life by Laura Buck Southern Maryland Newspapers Online Published 09/23/2009
Three Calvert County schools last week for "Maryland Home Grown Lunch Week," held at Appeal and Plum Point elementary schools and The Tidewater School in Huntingtown. · Read the entire article.
Slow Food works quickly to put harvest in Cape schools by Laurie Higgins Cape Cod Times Published 09/23/2009
Folks at the Cape Cod chapter of the Slow Food Movement invited strangers to dinner earlier this month in an effort to improve the Child Nutrition Act, which governs what children are served in school lunches. The nonprofit Slow Food Movement held 300 "eat-ins" nationwide to let people know the act is coming before Congress for reauthorization soon. People shared a meal and collected signatures on a petition demanding that Congress makes it a priority to put more nutritious food on school lunch menus. · Read the entire article.
School Food and Healthy Choices by Nancy Taylor Robson The Chestertown Spy Published 09/23/2009
Margaret Ellen Kalmanowicz has got her hands full. She?s the director of both transportation and food service for Kent County schools. Transportation is sorted now, but food service is ongoing. In an effort to improve the school food, Kalmanowicz got a fresh fruit and vegetable grant for two schools, Rock Hall and Garnet. Similar to a farm-to-school program, which more directly connects local growers to school breakfast and lunch programs, it tries to reintroduce real food to kids who were not only raised on Cheetos and chicken nuggets, but have come to expect those things in school, too. · Read the entire article.
Greener food, local agriculture on agenda by Janet Rausa Fuller Chicago Sun Times Published 09/23/2009
Wright detailed parts of the new campaign, including a farm-to-school program to get more locally grown foods into schools. The weekly White House farmers market, which opened last week, is part of the "Know Your Farmer" project. · Read the entire article.
School children feast on farm fresh food Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber Published 09/23/2009
It?s not officially a part of the farm-to-school movement, since the school district neither purchases from a local farmer nor officially educates students about the benefits of eating locally. However, Chautauqua has a highly productive food garden, which is used as a outdoor classroom for biology and nutrition and cultivated by the students in the school?s multi-age first- through third-grade program. · Read the entire article.
Agriculture, Education Departments Launch Farm to School Program Earth Times Published 09/22/2009
Pennsylvania's students stand to benefit from better nutrition and enhanced education through a new program linking schools with local farms, Pennsylvania Agriculture acting Secretary Russell Redding and Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak announced today. · Read the entire article.
Lunch lady in Alaska catches a wild idea by Melissa A. Trainer The Oregonian Published 09/22/2009
Patty Luckhurst is an incredible lunch lady. She makes lunch from scratch for her 500 students, including cranking out 1,500 handmade yeast rolls each week. As if that weren't enough, the food service manager and head cook for the Dillingham School District has found a way to serve a local food, save the school district money and dramatically improve the diet of her students. · Read the entire article.
An Oasis in Chicago's Food Deserts Extra Newspaper Published 09/22/2009
An estimated 633,000 Chicagoans live in "food deserts," a term experts give to a densely populated area with limited access to grocery stores and healthy food options. Residents in these areas have to travel nearly twice as far to get to a grocery store than to a fast food restaurant. Lack of fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables in urban neighborhoods has been linked to high rates of childhood obesity and diabetes in low-income families. Fresh from the Farm, a farm-to-school program administered by Seven Generations Ahead (SGA), is combating this trend by introducing urban kids to gardening, farming, ecology and nutritious food choices. Fresh from the Farm recently wrapped a seven-week summer program at Ames Middle School in Logan Square. The kids met three times a week for hands-on instruction. · Read the entire article.
Averill Park BOE discusses policies by Joseph A. Phillips Troy Record Published 09/22/2009
The Averill Park Central School district board continued to hash out a series of governance and ?ends? policies aimed at better defining accountability within the district, and received a report on a new program with implications for school lunches, curriculum and community relations. · Read the entire article.
Program Opens School Cafetarias to Local Farms by Paul Tuthill WAMC Published 09/22/2009
With the fall harvest approaching and students back in school, officials in Massachusetts are promoting a program to get locally grown food served in public school cafeterias. Since it's launch five years ago, the Massachusetts Farm to School Project has enrolled more than half of the state's public school districts. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Initiative offers Field Guide for parents to bring food curriculum to schools by Suki Wessling Santa Cruz Parenting Examiner Published 09/22/2009
The Community Alliance with Family Farmers, a California non-profit that promotes the interests, rights, and health of small farms, has released a Farm to School Field Guide with information for parents and community members about integrating farms with school curriculum. · Read the entire article.
School Lunch Punch by Editorial Board Washington Post Published 09/21/2009
CHILDREN ARE back in school. For many, that means regular meals as part of the federally subsidized school lunch program. Unfortunately, it also means, too often, food that isn't good for them. We're encouraged that there is a growing movement to do something about that. · Read the entire article.
Secretaries of Agriculture, Education to Launch Joint Farm to School Program Reuters Published 09/21/2009
Department of Agriculture acting Secretary Russell Redding and Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak will hold a news conference at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Great Valley School District in Malvern, Chester County, to announce a joint partnership to encourage schools to plant sustainable gardens. · Read the entire article.
Leon County Schools Offering Vegetarian Meals by Sylvester Jackson The FAMUAN Online Published 09/21/2009
In Leon County, all elementary and middle schools are offering at least one vegetarian meal a day. Meals will include cheese quesadillas, cheese and bean burritos or cheese pizza. Vegetables and salads will continue to be served. Farm to school, which is a national program linking farmers with schools, also provides the schools with fresh collard greens."The superintended has always been striving for healthy meals in the schools," says Tim Tankersley, director of Nutrition Services in Leon County. Due to high school students eating off campus, elementary and middle school students have more choices of meals at lunch. · Read the entire article.
STATE AG OFFICIAL TO VISIT GRANVILLE HIGH Newark Advocate Published 09/20/2009
In celebration of Sustainable Agriculture Week, Ohio Department of Agriculture Assistant Director Greg Hargett will visit Granville High School on Monday to learn more about the school district's Farm-to-School program, according to an announcement Friday. · Read the entire article.
Knowledge is power when choosing your food by Candace Hammond Cape Cod Times Published 09/20/2009
If you?re involved in your child?s school, you might want to see if the administration would be interested in looking into the Farm to School (farmtoschool.org) program that connects local farms and schools in providing healthful, local food. The program teaches the students about healthful eating, the importance of small farms and knowing where their food comes from. · Read the entire article.
Leon County Schools offering lunch alternatives for students by Iricka Berlinger Tallahassee.com Published 09/20/2009
As of Sept. 8, all elementary and middle schools in Leon County offer at least one vegetarian main dish daily. Meals include cheese quesadillas, cheese and bean burritos or cheese pizza. Vegetables and salads are also continuing to be served daily. · Read the entire article.
Get local foods on the school menu by Lynn Fallon Des Moines Register Published 09/19/2009
Providing schools with fresh, local food is a national priority that could ensure better health in our nation's children. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-School in Harford County Public Schools HartfordNeighbors.net Published 09/19/2009
Crunch! Crackle! Snap! Slurp! Those are just a few of the sounds made by students eating locally grown produce in all Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) cafeterias. In an effort to promote locally grown fruits and vegetables in HCPS, the Second Annual Farm-to-School Week was held September 14 ? 18, 2009. · Read the entire article.
Green Report Card: Is Your Child's School Flunking the Environment? by Adria Vasil RaisingThemGreen.com Published 09/19/2009
You’d think schools would be role models for good behavior now wouldn’t you? Oh sure they might talk a good game about the importance of recycling paper and protecting polar bears, but are they walking the walk? Not if they’re leaving the lights on day and night, spraying the school grounds with toxic pesticides and mopping up with hormone-disrupting chemicals! Here’s a subject-by-subject breakdown on how your kid’s school might be failing the planet, as well as some pointers for helping them boost those grades. · Read the entire article.
Kids First by Pamela Bhatia Photography Facebook Published 09/18/2009
All Rhode Island Schools will serve only healthy foods that are fresh, delicious, and enjoyed by students and staff everyday. RI Nutrition Requirements in Action has been used to purchase local food in school. This video was prepared for the First Breakfast for School Leaders, where over 300 people (Superintendents, Business Officials, School Board members) attended to represent every RI district. · Read the entire article.
Adrienne's Slideshow by Adrienne Burroughs Kodak Gallery Published 09/18/2009
Local apples appear in the school cafeteria in this photo from the Maryland State Department of Education. · Read the entire article.
julie's Slideshow by Julie Oberg Kodak Gallery Published 09/18/2009
The Maryland Department of Agriculture took pictures of students learning about local foods. · Read the entire article.
Kids' Beef The Durango Herald Published 09/18/2009
Area schools are doing the right thing in purchasing increasing quantities of locally produced food. Not only does that give a boost to local farmers and ranchers and keep taxpayers' money circulating in the community, it puts better food on students' plates - a happy outcome all around. Ignacio and Durango schools are leading the way. Ignacio schools plan to buy 4,000 pounds of ground beef from Fox Fire Farms, southeast of Ignacio, and Bond Brands in Bondad. School District 9-R plans to buy 1,500 pounds of beef from James Ranch, north of Durango, and 4,000 pounds of ground beef from Fox Fire Farms. · Read the entire article.
Newport Schools Named State Wellness Award Winner by Newport Now Staff Newport-Now Published 09/18/2009
The city?s public school system was the recipient of the 2009 RI Healthy Schools Coalition Award of Honor presented by Kids First R.I. for its efforts in addressing student wellness at an awards ceremony earlier today. According to Kids First, Newport was singled out for what it describes as an ?Active, vibrant, engaged, well organized and highly supported District Wellness Committee.? · Read the entire article.
Local produce served in school lunches by Janet Heim The Herald-Mail Published 09/18/2009
Corn on the cob, watermelon and other locally produced food items were on the menu this week in Washington County Public Schools and at schools across the state during the second annual Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School effort launched Mandan News Published 09/17/2009
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring announced on Monday that 11 North Dakota communities will be assessed for the possibility of establishing a direct link between local agricultural producers and school lunch programs. · Read the entire article.
Local lunches: County schools buy food for week from area farmers by Penny Riordan Carroll County Times Published 09/17/2009
Across Carroll County this week, school cafeteria managers were serving fresh, area fruits and vegetables from local farms as a part of Homegrown School Lunch Week. · Read the entire article.
New R.I. mandates aim to make school lunches more healthful by Barbara Polichetti The Providence Journal Published 09/17/2009
Brayley, who serves on national nutrition committees, says the new requirements will make Rhode Island school cafeterias among the healthiest in the nation since she does not know of any other state that has implemented such stringent requirements. The new requirements, which were instituted by the state Department of Education, boost the number of servings of fruits or vegetables that must be offered at every school lunch and breakfast with the added caveat that legumes (dried beans, dried peas or lentils) be in the mix at least once a week. · Read the entire article.
Health Check: School nutrition standards by Barbara Morse Silva turnto10.com Published 09/17/2009
Public schools in Rhode Island are now following new food standards. The nutrition requirements spell out forbidden foods?like French fries?and mandate required foods?like more fruits and vegetables. And fruit drinks must be as the name suggests: 100 percent fruit. · Read the entire article.
Program gets kids in the garden by Charlotte Albright Vermont Public Radio Published 09/17/2009
The Green Mountain Farm to School project took root about four years ago in Jay. Since then, another 14 Northeast Kingdom schools have signed on, giving elementary students year-round hands-on lessons in planning, growing, and harvesting vegetable gardens. Katherine Sims directs the outreach program from her office above a health food store in Newport. She says northeastern Vermont is a perfect place to grow this program, which gets both public funding and private donations. · Read the entire article.
Time for Lunch by Hema Tatafu Ke Alaka'i Published 09/17/2009
People from all walks of life enjoyed the ?Time for Lunch? awareness campaign on the lawn area outside BYU-Hawaii cafeteria on September 5. The event was a joint effort between SIFE, BYU-Hawaii Food Services and other community organizations as part of a national movement trying to ?draw attention to The Child Nutritional Act? and ?to bring awareness to healthier school lunches?, as stated by Natalie McKincey who was running the event. · Read the entire article.
Harford Schools Celebrate 2nd Annual ?Farm To School Week? by Dagger News Services The Dagger Published 09/16/2009
Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) Superintendent Robert M. Tomback, accompanied by County Executive David R. Craig, will recognize ?Farm to School Week? on Wednesday, September 16th, at Fountain Green Elementary School. · Read the entire article.
Harford Schools Celebrate 2nd Annual ?Farm To School Week? by Dagger News Services The Dagger Published 09/16/2009
Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) Superintendent Robert M. Tomback, accompanied by County Executive David R. Craig, will recognize ?Farm to School Week? on Wednesday, September 16th, at Fountain Green Elementary School. · Read the entire article.
Lolo company helping school kids eat healthy KPAX News Published 09/16/2009
Missoula school kids can dip their bread sticks in marinara with confidence because the sauce is local, and the school district's efforts to serve locally grown food in school cafeterias has some other school districts hungry for more information. · Read the entire article.
School lunch menus to feature local foods this week by Jane Bellmyer Cecil Whig Published 09/16/2009
Apples from Elkton, peaches grown in Colora, Asian pears from Cecilton and burgers from Conowingo will be on lunch menus this week as the county public schools celebrate Homegrown School Lunch Week. · Read the entire article.
Dignitaries and local produce on the menu at Hanover school by Marc Shapiro The Maryland Gazette Published 09/16/2009
The second annual Maryland Homegrown School Lunch week, designated by Gov. Martin O'Malley, is part of the Farm to School Program established last year. "We're taking this time to let you know where your food is coming from," Hance told a group of students. "When you go home, tell your parents you want to buy local products." · Read the entire article.
Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Program Begins California Farmer Published 09/16/2009
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan says Americans are more interested in food and agriculture than at any other time since most families left the farm. To stir that interest and develop a national conversation, USDA has introduced a program called "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food". Merrigan says "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" seeks to focus that conversation on supporting local and regional food systems to strengthen American agriculture by promoting sustainable agricultural practices and spurring economic opportunity in rural communities. · Read the entire article.
USDA to America: "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" by Leslie Cole The Oregonian Published 09/16/2009
Clearly there's a new sheriff in town in Washington, D.C. How else to explain USDA's new "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative, announced yesterday? Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack and deputy secretary Kathleen Merrigan say their department intends to begin a national conversation to build stronger local and regional food systems across the country. · Read the entire article.
School Lunch: Are We Doggin' It? by Cynthia Lair SeattlePi Published 09/16/2009
In 2007 I served on the voluntary Nutrition Advisory Committee of the Seattle public school lunch program. Members made field trips to schools, ate the cafeteria lunch food and wrote reports with observations and comments. · Read the entire article.
New USDA Farm to School Tactical Teams by Kathleen Merrigan USDA Office of Communications Published 09/15/2009
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced a new initiative to better connect children to their food and create opportunities for local farmers to provide their harvest to schools in their communities as part of USDA's 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative. · Read the entire article.
Hartford's New Farm to School Program Fights Childhood Obesity by Sarah Platt WITI-TV Published 09/15/2009
WITI-TV, HARTFORD - It's no secret childhood obesity is an epidemic in our nation, and kids here in Wisconsin aren't immune. Some local schools are taking steps to make sure their kids are eating the healthiest and freshest foods possible. FOX 6's Sarah Platt explains Hartford's Farm to School program. · Read the entire article.
Chef Ann Cooper launches school lunch revolution by AJC Opinion Access Atlanta Published 09/15/2009
?Everyone knows not to eat the hot dogs, Mom. They bounce. And the fish makes everyone sick.? Wait just a tic. Are we living in the United States of America? Shouldn?t a healthy, good-tasting school lunch be the right of each and every child in public schools across this country? Doesn?t it peeve you just a little that your child is likely eating food products instead of actual food in their school cafeterias? · Read the entire article.
USDA Officials Help Kick-off Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week with Educational Activities and Lo by Maryland Department of Agriculture Published 09/15/2009
To draw attention to the connection between healthy food and the local farms that grow it, Governor Martin O?Malley officially designated September 14-18, 2009 as Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week. ?Many students today do not know where their food comes from and many residents aren?t aware how important a part of Maryland?s environment, economy and quality of life that farms are,? said Governor O?Malley. · Read the entire article.
USDA promises to help school districts buy locally grown produce by Tom Karst The Packer Published 09/15/2009
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said new farm-to-school initiatives will help school administrators? transition to purchasing more locally grown foods in remarks about the just-launched ?Know your farmer, know your food? initiative. · Read the entire article.
Md. School Lunches Include Homegrown Food by Suzanne Collins WJZ 13 Published 09/15/2009
There were local veggies on the pizza bagels at Hebron Harman school Tuesday and a display of melons and other fresh fruits. This kicks off a program to put local produce on the school lunch menu. · Read the entire article.
Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Program Starts Today TheBaynet.com Published 09/15/2009
St. Mary?s County Public Schools will celebrate Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week, Sept. 14 through 18, by including locally-grown products in school lunches. Select schools will also showcase this event with outside display stations set up and manned by local farmers, while lessons on healthy eating and farming will be delivered in classrooms. · Read the entire article.
Homegrown School Lunch Week Lunch Nugget Published 09/15/2009
This week in some of the Maryland Public Schools, it is Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week. This means the fruits and vegetables at Nugget's school are locally grown and offered to the children. · Read the entire article.
Made in Rhode Island: RI Students Get Homegrown School Lunch by Chris Boardman abc6.com Published 09/15/2009
School lunches aren't typically comprised of items kids go crazy over. But today in Jamestown, students at one school were raving over their meals, all courses of which were Made in Rhode Island. ABC6 Reporter John Guice has more. · Read the entire article.
MCPS Farm-to-school program featured in national documentary Missoula Foodie Published 09/15/2009
A clip from a new documentary featuring the MCPS Farm-to-school program! · Read the entire article.
Big Plans for Small Farmers by Kim Severson The New York Times Published 09/15/2009
?Americans are more interested in food and agriculture than at any other time since most families left the farm,? said Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan in a statement announcing the initiative. The U.S.D.A.'s new ?Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food? campaign which includes a series of programs to help farmers better market their food and the people who run large institutions buy it. · Read the entire article.
Many regions have declared September Local Food Month' by Robin Shreeves The Bradenton Herald Published 09/14/2009
Local restaurants featuring local foods and a fundraiser that will benefit the counties Farm-to-School program are two of many events that will take place in Humboldt County this September. · Read the entire article.
School Lunch: Where the Real Weapons of Mass Destruction Lie by Hesh Goldstein Natural News Published 09/14/2009
The USDA needs to realize that there needs to be a sound program to deliver food, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, from farm to school. · Read the entire article.
11 NORTH DAKOTA Communities Considered for Farm to School by Associated Press KX News Published 09/14/2009
Surveys will be conducted next month in the communities of Bowdon, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Grant County, Hazen, Jamestown, Mandan, Minot, Napoleon and Valley City to consider whether they can be part of the program. He says the surveys also will measure the growth of area food production. · Read the entire article.
Eleven NORTH DAKOTA Communities Considered for Farm to School by Associated Press KFYR-TV News Published 09/14/2009
North Dakota`s agriculture commissioner says 11 communities will considered for a program to bring food from area farms to school lunches. Commissioner Doug Goehring said the Farm to School program teaches healthy eating habits while providing farmers with a direct market. He says Farm to School programs already are in 40 states. · Read the entire article.
Close Encounters of the School Lunch Kind by Robin Shreeves Mother Nature Network Published 09/14/2009
Onetray.org has put out short, to the point video about the changes that need to be made to school lunches. I don?t know if the kids in the video get the reference to the mashed potato mountain, but most of us will. · Watch the video · Read the entire article.
Sartell-St. Stephen is all ears when it comes to local food by Jane Laskey St. Cloud Times Published 09/14/2009
Sartell school buses roll past fields of corn on the way to school each fall. Yet when corn hits the cafeteria tray at lunchtime, it?s processed, frozen corn that?s been shipped from miles away. Until today. · Read the entire article.
Maryland Schools Serve Up Local Produce by Charya Lon Your4State.com Published 09/14/2009
Schools across the state kick off Homegrown School Lunch Week on Monday. The Maryland Department of Agriculture organizes the week, which encourages school cafeterias to use locally grown food in their lunches. · Read the entire article.
Homegrown Food in School Lunches by The Associated Press abc2 Published 09/14/2009
This is the second straight year the Maryland Department of Agriculture has organized Homegrown School Lunch Week. Cafeterias in all 24 school districts will serve fruits, vegetables, bread, cheese and meats from Maryland. · Read the entire article.
Maryland Schools Serve Locally Grown Food for Lunch News Channel 8 Published 09/14/2009
Maryland students have a good reason to eat the cafeteria food at school this week. Sources say schools will be serving up locally grown food all week. · Read the entire article.
What?s Up With That? by Rachel Hergett Bozeman Daily Chronicle Published 09/13/2009
So this Saturday, The Emerson Grill is inviting guests to bring their own cutting boards and knives to help process some of those ingredients under the guidance of Chef Donald MacArthur for its second annual Salsa Day. Cost is $15 per person and a portion of the proceeds goes to Farm to School, an organization that is working to bring local produce into the public school system. · Read the entire article.
Area schools battle obesity by Adrielle Harvey The Topeka Capital-Journal Published 09/13/2009
Two students indulge in locally grown watermelon as part of the Farm to School program, which connects children to local farmers. At the same time, the school is encouraging healthier eating habits in attempts to reduce childhood obesity by introducing more fruits and vegetables during school hours. · Read the entire article.
Local food movement still gaining momentum by Lindsey Nair The Roanoke Times Published 09/13/2009
The Virginia Department of Agriculture recently created a Farm-to-School program to encourage public schools to spend some of their $6 million annual produce budget with local growers. The department also recently unveiled an interactive Web site to help Virginians find local products. · Read the entire article.
Farming our Schools by Jesse Kurtz-Nicholl The Dakota Day Published 09/13/2009
As a Government and Economics teacher in a deeply urban school in California, I come face to face with disturbing daily realities. Recently, a 16 year old Latina student came up to me in astonishment and asked, "Are you telling me that a lemon is a fruit?" Equally astonished are the students that walk out to the school garden and marvel at the sweet peas they can pick fresh off the vine. "I never knew that came out of a flower," I've heard them gasp. They recoil at the sight of dirt touching a piece of produce, yet they don't blink at paying $2 for bottled water that is less regulated than the water coming out of their tap. I don't blame my students for a system that produces 3,800 calories per day per person (we only need half that amount) and then uses the most sophisticated marketing tools on the planet to get our youth to consume them. As a teacher, I have learned that you must accept your students "where they are" because getting angry about how they got there is wasted energy. · Read the entire article.
Md. school lunches to include homegrown food by Associated Press Washington Examiner Published 09/13/2009
This is the second straight year the Maryland Department of Agriculture has organized Homegrown School Lunch Week. Cafeterias in all 24 school districts will serve fruits, vegetables, bread, cheese and meats from Maryland. · Read the entire article.
Md. school lunches to include homegrown food by The Associated Press The Baltimore Sun Published 09/13/2009
This is the second straight year the Maryland Department of Agriculture has organized Homegrown School Lunch Week. Cafeterias in all 24 school districts will serve fruits, vegetables, bread, cheese and meats from Maryland. Some schools will continue to use locally grown food throughout the school year. · Read the entire article.
Building a Bridge to Somewhere: Farm to School by CookingUpaStory.com Eat Well Guide Blog Published 09/13/2009
With great excitement about the USDA?s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative, which rolled out this week, and particular joy over the White House farmers? market, which opens today, here is an inspirational video from our friends at Cooking Up a Story. This one is about a farmer who?s helping build his local economy while feeding local schoolchildren more nutritious food. Farm to School networks, like farmers? markets, are excellent methods by which we can rebuild our local economies and our local food distribution systems. · Read the entire article.
The Farm to School Program for School Lunches: Sowing Seeds of a Healthier Future for Children by Beverly Bright suite101.com Published 09/12/2009
There are 30 million children eating school lunches, 5 days a week, 180 days a year in the United States. Schools participating in the Farm to School Programs purchase fruits, vegetables, eggs, grains, honey, meat, and beans for use in the school cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
School district serves up local food by Jill Kasparie The Heartland Connection Published 09/11/2009
With lunch just hours away, workers are buzzing around the kitchen at Douds Elementary in Van Buren County. They?re whipping up what looks like a typical school meal, but it includes an extra ingredient - local food. · Read the entire article.
Local delights in the lunchroom by Matt McKinney Star Tribune Published 09/10/2009
School lunch managers around the state are working to get more locally grown items onto their noontime menus. · Read the entire article.
Program supplies fresh produce from Jackson-area farms to students by Mike D. Lammi Mlive.com Published 09/10/2009
Students at all Jackson Public Schools elementary and middle schools this year will be offered fresh fruits and vegetables during lunch. Those who purchase lunch, or receive free or reduced lunch, are allowed one trip to a serving area · Read the entire article.
National coalition wants to improve school lunches by Judy Walker NOLA.com Published 09/10/2009
Slow Food USA is organizing the national push, urging member groups to hold potluck events this week. Some were scheduled on or before Labor Day and some later, including the New Orleans Chapter event, which also involves Kids Rethink New Orleans Public Schools, the New Orleans Food and Farm Network, marketumbrella.org (organizers of the two Crescent City Farmers Markets) and the Food Policy Advisory Committee of Tulane University. · Read the entire article.
Strengthen Child Nutrition Act by Bob Conner The Olympian Published 09/10/2009
I?m writing to thank The Olympian for its coverage of the national debate on health care reform, and to point out a great opportunity for Congress to support the health of children and families everywhere by reauthorizing and strengthening the Child Nutrition Act ? the law that governs school lunch programs. · Read the entire article.
School food service trying to rebound from deficit by Dorothy Jasperson Westby Times Published 09/10/2009
The Westby Area School District food service program is hoping to rebound from a $62,700 shortfall during the 2008-09 school years and become self-sufficient by the end of the 2009-10. To accomplish their goal the program will be forced to take some unpopular measures, including not allowing high school students with deliquent meal accounts over $20 to participate in the program until the family account is out of the red. Such action will not apply at the elementary or middle school level at the present time. · Read the entire article.
Homegrown School Lunch Week Promotes Locally-Grown Products Southern Maryland Online Published 09/10/2009
St. Mary's County Public Schools will celebrate Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week, September 14-18, by including locally-grown products in school lunches. Select schools will also showcase this event with outside display stations set up and manned by local farmers, while lessons on healthy eating and farming will be delivered in classrooms. · Read the entire article.
Potluck promotes local food for schools by Colleen Redman Soutwest Virginia Today Published 09/10/2009
Black bean paté, pork ribs from Bright Farm, bread from Sweetwater Bakery, a casserole, fresh peaches, and apple pie were some of the dishes enjoyed at the Time for Lunch potluck, held on Labor Day at the Floyd Country Store. The event was initiated by Slow Food USA to promote locally grown and produced food in public schools and was organized by Slow Food USA member Yvonne Hodgkins.Co · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Program Helps Local Farmers by Tara Herrschaft WCTV Published 09/10/2009
School children eagerly scoop food onto their plate, happy that lunchtime has finally come. "We have choices, so we can have that or that," said Cade Weldon, a 5th grader at Sealey Elementary School. But where do these choices come from? Farm to School has been working with Leon County Schools for 8 years, partnering local farmers with the district. "So our job is to go out there and try to make sense out of what a farmer wants for a bushel and what a food director wants for a per serving fee. And most of the time it works real well," said Glyen Holmes, who is the Executive Director for New North Florida Cooperative Association, Inc. · Read the entire article.
Parents to Join Kids for '15' Mile Menu by Stacy Joins Jamestown Press Published 09/10/2009
In the world of food, nothing has been more maligned than the school lunch. But things are about to change ? at least here in Jamestown ? as the district partners with Kids First, a non-profit focused on improving the nutritional and physical well-being of children, and Sodexo, the district?s food service provider, to redefine the image of cafeteria food. On Tuesday, Sept. 15, Jamestown schools will serve the ?15- mile menu? ? an all-local lunch ? to students at the Melrose Avenue and Lawn Avenue schools. All the food served during the event will have been sourced from within 15 miles of Jamestown. · Read the entire article.
Start school year off right with healthy, home-packed lunches by Jeanine Justice The Durango Herald Published 09/09/2009
What to pack for lunch at school or work often is relegated to last-minute morning decisions of what's left over in the refrigerator, or settling for a snack bar of some kind. · Read the entire article.
Michigan by Laura Shapiro Gourmet Published 09/09/2009
If there?s anyplace that ought to be immune from a California-style food revolution, it?s Michigan. Long winters, high unemployment, an economy that?s been staggering for years, no instantly recognizable culinary culture?Berkeley it ain?t. But the truth is, Michigan farmers raise the second-greatest variety of agricultural products in the country, after California. Traditionally most of the fruits and vegetables grown there have gone straight to giant food processors, but that system isn?t working the way it used to, now that processors have access to cheap produce from across the globe. · Read the entire article.
Minestrone, and Three Other Things That Will Save American School Lunch by Deborah Lehmann Huffington Post Published 09/09/2009
For some, the prospect of reforming American school lunch is dauntingly complex. But for one feisty Italian old woman, the solution was simple: "Minestrone!" she cried out in her heavy accent, interrupting a speech at the Slow Food USA Eat-In I attended today in Tiverton, Rhode Island. "So cheap, so good, and you have the beans, and the vegetables. And you put in the chard, and it makes it so sweet, and they like it." · Read the entire article.
Farmers' market ready for fall produce by Joel Turner The Franklin News-Post Published 09/09/2009
Even though the summer is coming to an end, farmers' markets in Rocky Mount and other localities in Virginia are not closing for the season. Post-Labor Day produce is more plentiful than in the past, according to the Virginia Farm Bureau. · Read the entire article.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Get Ready Kids ? Fresh, Local Lunches Are Coming to Your School Cafeteria! by Maryland Department of Agriculture Published 09/09/2009
School lunches are getting a makeover this fall with more interesting and more nutritious foods. School children in hundreds of public schools across Maryland will get a taste of fresh, Maryland-grown and produced food in their lunches during the second annual Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week, September 14-18. · Read the entire article.
Schools add locally grown foods by Brenda Ward Northfield News Published 09/08/2009
If parents of students were to grade the food service at Northfield Public Schools, they just might give an ?A? for adding fresh, locally grown food to this year?s menu. · Read the entire article.
Group promotes better lunches for America's school kids by Amit Pathania TopNews Published 09/08/2009
30 million children participate in the National School Lunch Program therefore Eat-Ins are an effort to draw attention to the need for more nutritious food. The program is part of the Child Nutrition Act that Congress will reauthorize later this year. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School: Local produce can benefit your school and community! Healthy Kids Missouri Blog Published 09/08/2009
With a garden on the White House lawn, recent food safety scares, and daily media reports about the child obesity and health care crises, more schools and communities are looking for solutions through Farm to School programs. · Read the entire article.
School tests local-foods lunch, kids eat it up by Mike Kilen Des Moines Register Published 09/07/2009
So last week, the barf and canned corn were replaced. An effort led by parents, who had rallied for changes after tainted beef was sold to the school two years ago, helped launch a complete overhaul of lunch at the school. It's now the only one in Iowa to prepare meals from scratch each day with food primarily grown by local farmers. · Read the entire article.
New menu has students, teachers excited at PLS by Emily Christensen WCF Courier Published 09/06/2009
The Price Lab Grassroots Cafe opened this year, but parents, University of Northern Iowa educators and locally grown food expert Rob Stanley have worked for more than a year behind the scenes to make the program viable. · Read the entire article.
Sit-in on the menu to support healthy lunches in school by Cate Lecuyer Salem News Online Published 09/05/2009
In all 50 states, thousands of people will be doing the same thing in some 300 locations as part of Slow Food USA's "Time for Lunch" campaign. · Read the entire article.
Whitewater schools modernizing by Kayla Bunge Janesville Gazette Published 09/05/2009
?We are living in transformative times,? she said. ?It?s time for schools to look really, really different than they have. We have to approach our business in a completely different way?especially as we?re forced to do more with less as resources continue to shrink.? · Read the entire article.
Slow Food for The Bridgehampton School | The Sag Harbor Express by Kathryn Menu The Sag Harbor Express Published 09/04/2009
Boasting an edible garden and a Career Academy-based curriculum originally centered on landscape design ? this year reaching out into botany and nutrition ? students at the Bridgehampton School have been actively participating in the evolution of how food is viewed on the East End of Long Island for several years now. · Read the entire article.
Sept. 8 is back to school at PR-B by Kelly Virden PineandLakes.com Published 09/04/2009
Also planned this school year is a "Farm to School" program in which the district will buy local products and use them in their school lunch program, Anderson said. She's already purchased some wild rice and honey and has plans to expand the program, as able. "It's to boost the economy in the area and to get back-to-basics for students," she added. · Read the entire article.
Students latch onto pilot lunch program by P Miller The Edmund Sun Published 09/04/2009
Dave Fouts, a chef with Simply Smart Food and an Edmond Sun columnist, made the proposal to develop and implement a cost-effective, nutritious and tasty school breakfast and lunch program that will be healthy, contribute to academic performance and that eventually can be implemented district-wide. · Read the entire article.
September 2009 Flash News by Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation Published 09/04/2009
In Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation featured Homegrown School Lunch Week in their September newsletter. · Read the entire article.
Rural schools go loco for local food by Joe Smydo Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Published 09/03/2009
In Elk County, about 120 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, Ridgway Area School District Superintendent Tom Butler is planning a lesson in nutrition and economics for the entire community. On Sept. 16, Dr. Butler wants to serve the district's 1,000 students a meal made almost entirely from locally grown and raised foods. · Read the entire article.
Slow Food Eats In for School Lunch Reform by Jane Black Washington Post Published 09/03/2009
With Congress set to reauthorize childhood nutrition programs, Slow Food is asking Washington to allocate $1 more per student per day for lunch. The organization also wants Congress to establish nutrition standards for all food sold in schools, fund farm-to-school programs and school gardens and offer incentives for schools to buy local. · Read the entire article.
Lunch From the Farm by Carole Meekins TMJ Milwaukee Published 09/03/2009
Corn forenza salad and veggie paninis--all made from local produce! No, it's not the menu at a new downtown bistro, it's the menu at a local school. At Hartford Central Middle School lunch is a culinary event, thanks to the 'Farm To School Program.' · Read the entire article.
Hartford's new Farm to School program fights childhood obesity by Sarah Platt Fox 6 Now Published 09/03/2009
It's no secret childhood obesity is an epidemic in our nation, and kids here in Wisconsin aren't immune. Some local schools are taking steps to make sure their kids are eating the healthiest and freshest foods possible. FOX 6's Sarah Platt explains Hartford's Farm to School program. · Read the entire article.
A national movement of foodies, farmers, parents and educators is pushing for better school food by Dana Hull Mercury News Published 09/03/2009
Serving healthy meals at school is tougher than ever ? most campuses don't even have kitchens anymore. And the federal government's low reimbursement rate? just $2.68 for each poor child who qualifies for free lunch ? makes it tough to buy high-quality produce. As school budgets get squeezed, many districts are going with the vendors offering the best bargain, not the best food. · Read the entire article.
Local Food Month by Robin Shreeves Mother Nature Network Published 09/03/2009
As far as I can see it?s not a national month long celebration, yet, but, I?ve been seeing lots of news articles about September being declared ?Local Food Month.? Here are a few places that are celebrating local foods this month. · Read the entire article.
Slow Food- It's Time to Catch Up by Debra Lordan Maui Weekly Published 09/03/2009
Every five years, the window of opportunity opens to tweak and reauthorize federal child nutrition programs. The Child Nutrition Act of 2004 expires on Sept. 30, offering lawmakers a tremendous opportunity to create a future in which fresh, healthy meals are the norm at our schools. In preparation for the reauthorization, Slow Food USA (www.slowfoodusa.org) launched Time for Lunch, a national campaign developed to send a message to Congress to provide funds so America?s children can eat healthy at school. · Read the entire article.
Number of Rhode Island farms is growing by Talia Buford The Providence Journal Published 09/02/2009
FOR ANYONE WHO didn?t grow up on a farm, strolling through the crops at Jaswell?s on a warm summer day is pretty close to heaven. (And even the Jaswells, all of whom, except for daughter Allison, live in a white house next to the rolling fields and farm stand, will admit that it?s pretty sweet.) · Read the entire article.
School nutrition program integrates Missouri-grown foods by Michelle Pais Missourian Published 09/01/2009
This fall, the district is working toward bringing more fresh produce and Missouri-grown foods into its school nutrition program. Field and Benton elementary schools will participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, allowing the schools to serve fresh produce to students as snacks during the day. · Read the entire article.
Co-op aims to go to school by Deborah Buckhalter Jackson County Floridan Published 09/01/2009
Rep. Allen Boyd, D-Monticello, made another stop in Jackson County following a town hall meeting here Aug. 19. He went to the New North Florida Co-operative to see how the non-profit organization works. Established in 1995 by Jackson County resident Glyen Holmes, it aims to connect small-scale farmers to each other, and to buyers who don?t need huge amounts of produce. · Read the entire article.
School lunch options by April McCaffery Examiner Published 09/01/2009
Do your kids buy lunch or participate in the meal assistance program, or do you pack them a lunch? Either way, here are some things to chew on as your kids prepare to go back to school. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Program by Idaho State Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs Nourishing News Published 09/01/2009
The Idaho Farm to School Program works towards having Idaho grown food served to students in Idaho Child Nutrition Programs. Idaho State Department of Education, Child Nutrition Programs is pleased to offer several resources and tools on the Idaho State Department of Education, Child Nutrition Programs website on the topic of Farm to School. These materials can be found at: www.sde.idaho.gov/site/cnp/. · Read the entire article.
"Eat-ins" shed light on healthy school food by Grant Welker The Herald News Published 08/31/2009
The same week most area students go back to school, a national group that advocates for healthy food will hold more than 270 ?eat-ins? on Labor Day, including one in Tiverton organized by the group?s Rhode Island chapter. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Activist MiBiz.com Published 08/31/2009
As an activist and organizer for much of his life, Chris Bedford spent a great deal of time highlighting problems. Meeting and filming famed architect William McDonough helped him see the value in talking about solutions and in making transfor-mational, sustainable change instead of just doing an action less bad. "Food is the doorway. People and small producers have a lot of power." His latest effort has gone into the Muskegon County-based Farm-to-School movement to feed schoolchildren healthy, locally produced food to benefit their scholastic performance. It's an uphill battle against years of flawed federal policy and a monolithic conventional food industry, but he's learned to focus on the positives ?feeding children healthy meals can improve their academic achievement. "That's not a partisan issue. It's about our children and our future." · Read the entire article.
The Push to Get Locally Grown Food to American Children by Jenn Escalona Bright Hub Published 08/31/2009
Farm to School programs can simultaneously fight the childhood obesity epidemic and preserve the livelihoods of local farmers all the while saving taxpayer money. · Read the entire article.
Schools must lead healthy foods effort by Ann Cooper, Beth Collins San Francisco Chronicle Published 08/30/2009
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that of the children born in the year 2000, 1 out of 3 Caucasians and 2 out of 3 African Americans and Hispanics will contract diabetes in their lifetimes. As a result, that generation will be the first in our country's history to die at a younger age than their parents. · Read the entire article.
Teaching kids to eat healthy by Anya Martin STL Today Published 08/30/2009
Last spring when Cristy Nolton, executive chef of the Graveyard Tavern in Atlanta, prepared radish and cucumber salad in the classroom for first- and second-graders at nearby Burgess-Peterson Academy, the children cleaned their plates, said Betty Jackson, a physical education teacher and wellness coordinator at the public elementary school. · Read the entire article.
Nonprofit helps Michigan farmers' business grow by Associated Press Chicago Tribune Published 08/29/2009
Charles Bagwell wants to run an organic fish farm that would generate a million pounds of tilapia a year. A southeast Michigan nonprofit wants to help him get his feet wet. · Read the entire article.
Senator Applauds Efforts To Serve Home Grown Produce In Schools, Restaurants Long Island Exchange Published 08/28/2009
Senator Kenneth P. LaValle (at podium) commended J. Kings Food Service for its success in bringing local produce to over 300 Long Island schools and universities, and for enabling local restaurants to feature home grown produce on their menus. · Read the entire article.
North Dakota Farming News KX News Published 08/28/2009
Backyard Farming and Sharing in North Dakota. · Read the entire article.
September is the month of the apple by Meredith Cohn The Baltimore Sun Published 08/27/2009
On the buy local theme, all Maryland school systems are also offering locally-grown products in school lunches from Sept. 14-18, during Homegrown School Lunch Week. · Read the entire article.
Burlington schools' food staff visit farm by Lynn Monty Burlington Free Press Published 08/26/2009
Doug Davis, director of food service for the Burlington School District, said the reason he wanted to bring the staff to the farm was to acknowledge the partnerships that have formed between Burlington schools, Shelburne Farms and Vermont FEED, a nonprofit organization working to connect children and families with their food and local farms. FEED is an acronym for "Food Education Every Day." · Read the entire article.
School systems find creative ways to teach children to eat their vegetables by Associated Press The Gainesville Sun Published 08/26/2009
French fries are a staple and ketchup a vegetable as far as American kids are concerned. But at least some schools are finding children will eat healthier meals when offered them and take nutrition to heart if they are taught about the positive impacts on their bodies. · Read the entire article.
Taste of Place Garden Soiree Advance Tickets Redwood Times Published 08/26/2009
This elegant fundraising event runs from 3 to 6 p.m. and features delicious hors d?oeuvres prepared by Celebrations Catering, regional wine and beer and a silent auction. Visitors can tour the gorgeous Redwood Roots Farm during the height of the growing season. Music will be provided by farmers market favorite Blue Lotus Jazz. Tickets are $20 each and include one free drink. Children under five are free. Tickets can be purchased at the North Coast Co-op, Wildberries, Eureka Natural Foods, Rookery Books, the Farmers? Market and through the CAFF office at (707) 444-3255. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $30. Advance ticket purchases are recommended because the event does sell out. · Read the entire article.
Help improve children by Heather Taylor Collegiate Times Published 08/26/2009
It's no secret that rates of childhood obesity and diabetes are on the rise. Both conditions have been proven to be directly linked to diet, specifically the kinds of overprocessed entrees, a la carte fast food items and vending machine junk food that are often the only school lunch options available to any kid whose parents don't pack their lunch. · Read the entire article.
Getting Healthy Food into School Cafeterias by The Kojo Nnamdi Show WAMU 88.5AM Published 08/26/2009
School districts across our region are looking for ways to improve the quality of food served at lunch (and sometimes breakfast). But they?re confronting a lot of tricky challenges, like covering the cost of fruits and vegetables during the recession or sourcing food from more local farmers. From the farm field to cafeteria tray, we examine the challenge of feeding healthy food to our region?s students. Guests: Andrea Northup, Coordinator, DC Farm to School Network, Capital Area Food Bank and Penny McConnell, Director, Food and Nutrition Services, Fairfax County Public Schools · Read the entire article.
Back to School Lunches: Fresh, Local Food for Maryland Students by Maryland Department of Agriculture Published 08/26/2009
For the second year, many Maryland schools will offer locally-grown products in school lunches from Sept. 14-18, which is Homegrown School Lunch Week. · Read the entire article.
Local food program promotes Tenn. farms, improved nutrition for students by Rebecca D. Williams Knox News Published 08/25/2009
Most children don't get the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, experts say. In the last 20 years, obesity rates have doubled among children and tripled among adolescents, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. In 2008, 31.9 percent of American children and adolescents were overweight and 16.3 percent were obese. That's what drives Snodgrass to hunt for locally grown vegetables, she says. "We have a pretty high percentage of high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes," says Snodgrass. "We are a pretty low-income county. I figure if they get one extra serving of vegetables a day, I've helped the child." · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Program a big success in Indpendence district by Jean Caspers-Simmet Agri-News Published 08/25/2009
It's all part of the Farm to School Program. The Independence Area Chapter formed last year and is doing great things, said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, who came with three Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship employees to help. About 15 volunteers -- teachers and other community members -- turned out to process veggies. · Read the entire article.
Food and dining briefs by Kathy Stephenson The Salt Lake Tribune Published 08/25/2009
The local group, along with its national counterpart, Slow Food USA, wants Congress to increase school lunch reimbursements; establish stronger nutrition standards; provide grant money for innovative farm-to-school programs; and provide incentives to buy local foods. · Read the entire article.
Local food program promotes Tenn. farms, improved nutrition for students by Rebecca D. Williams Knox News Published 08/25/2009
A look at Farm 2 School efforts in Tennessee: "Even though it takes extra time and effort, cafeteria workers in Hawkins County's public schools slice every apple into wedges before serving it. If they don't slice the apples, the kids won't eat them, according to Child Nutrition Director Alice Snodgrass." · Read the entire article.
Slow Food USA: Pushes to get real food into schools by Lynn Fallon Iowa Politics Published 08/25/2009
Earlier this summer, Slow Food USA (www.slowfoodusa.org) launched Time for Lunch (www.slowfoodusa.org/timeforlunch), a national campaign to tell Congress to provide America?s children with real food at school. One of the major milestones for the campaign will be orchestrating more than 100 Eat-Ins in communities across the country on Labor Day, Sept. 7, 2009. The Eat-Ins will draw attention to the need for real, healthy food for the more than 30 million children who participate in the National School Lunch Program. The program is part of the Child Nutrition Act that Congress will reauthorize later this year. · Read the entire article.
Illinois Is the Latest State to Look Local for Food?but Is Local Better? by Haley A. Lovett www.findingdulcinea.com Published 08/24/2009
Farm-to-school and other local food programs are sprouting up across the U.S., as Illinois looks to local farms to boost the economy and fill vacant lots in Chicago. During the Illinois State Fair?s agriculture day, Governor Pat Quinn signed a law that would encourage more purchases of local food by government agencies to help struggling farmers.Currently, only about 10 percent of the food eaten by Illinois residents comes from the state, nearly 80 percent of the state land is farmland, reports John O?Connor of the AP. · Read the entire article.
New agricultural business hopes to promote a completely local food system by Mike Ludwig The Athens News Published 08/24/2009
Last year Jaeger received a two-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program to plant test plots of staple food crops that could eventually become the base of a new, localized staple food system in southeast Ohio. Ajamian and Jaeger experimented with crops such as millet, meal corn, quinoa, amaranth, spelt, beans and buckwheat to find out what staple food crops can be grown efficiently and sustainably in our region. · Read the entire article.
Talk of lottery cuts worries local retailers by Alex Paul Albany Democrat-Herald Published 08/23/2009
That $56 million could have ensured that every child in Oregon eligible for Head Start was able to enroll in a program last year. It also could have funded a Farm to School nutrition initiative for four years. · Read the entire article.
Simply Fresh brings city schools produce straight from the farm by Rick Wagner Times News Published 08/22/2009
You could call it eating local, a practical experience class. That?s because the economics of supporting local farmers is literally on the lunch table at Kingsport schools. Students are eating locally grown produce thanks to a produce vendor who seeks it out. · Read the entire article.
Harford Schools Awarded District of Excellence Distinction By School Nutrition Association The Dagger Published 08/21/2009
Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) was awarded the District of Excellence in School Nutrition distinction by the School Nutrition Association for exceeding national best practice standards for school nutrition programs. Nearly five million healthy meals are served during the school year at HCPS, and more than half a million dollars is allocated to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, HCPS participates in the Farm to School program, which provides students with food selections that include locally grown agricultural products. · Read the entire article.
Obama to set up a White House farmer's market by Bryan Nelson Mother Nature Network Published 08/21/2009
Not long ago, the first lady planted the first seeds for the White House's own organic garden. Now the Obamas want to expand the idea to set up a farmers market just outside the White House. One aim of the market will be to help local farmers deliver fresh produce to D.C. school cafeterias, to encourage kids to make healthier choices in their diet. · Read the entire article.
A White House Farmers Market? by Jane Black The Washington Post Published 08/20/2009
Obama also stressed the importance of creating distribution systems that could link small, local farmers to public schools who want more fresh fruits and vegetables on their menus. · Read the entire article.
Oak Park district meals to have different look, taste by Lisa McKinnon Ventura County Star Published 08/20/2009
Urged by concerns about childhood obesity and the promise of additional funds for school nutrition programs from the Obama administration, many educators say the stage is set for change. During a recent School Nutrition Association conference, for example, members flocked to seminars on organic foods, the farm-to-school movement and creating whole grain dishes with kid-appeal. · Read the entire article.
Fifth Season Bounty Fills F2C Freezer Islands Published 08/20/2009
Orcas Island Farm to Cafeteria Program partnered with the FEAST summer agriculture education students at the school to process and freeze fresh produce for use during the school year. The Fifth Season bounty included organic plums, raspberries, Walla Walla onions, russet potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, squash, and green beans. · Read the entire article.
Elected leaders touch on issues by Philip D. Brown Richard County Daily Journal Published 08/19/2009
The emerging green economy, school nutrition and healthcare were just some of the subjects discussed at a meeting that followed the White House?s Rural Tour event at Cole Auditorium Monday. The Farm to School Network was brought up twice during the hour and a half forum. · Read the entire article.
Agriculture projects receive state grants by George Hohmann Charleston Daily Mail Published 08/19/2009
Commissioner Gus Douglass has presented a total of $97,606 in specialty crop grants to 33 recipients around the state, including: West Virginia Small Farms Center, Monongalia County, $3,600 to help integrate state specialty crops into the public school system through a farm-to-school demonstration project. · Read the entire article.
Nutrition director honored by national physicians group by Marcus Moore Gazette Published 08/19/2009
Parents of elementary school students are told of the school system's vegetarian options through a monthly menu, and all county schools participated in "Farm to School Week," where fresh fruits and vegetables were on the menu. · Read the entire article.
Heirlooms With Taste by Jane Black Washington Post Published 08/19/2009
My article on heirloom tomato snobbery created quite a stir. My electronic in-box was flooded by heirlooms' angry defenders. And by snail mail, I received letters with photos of their successful backyard beauties. It was even worse on Facebook, where one farm-to-school advocate commented that I'd entirely missed the point: They are "grown for flavor, not shelf-life," she said. Writing them off is "like giving up on marriage because you had one bad date." · Read the entire article.
Stars Aligning on School Lunches by Kim Severson The New York Times Published 08/18/2009
The Department of Agriculture is expected to upgrade school food nutrition standards this year, many of which haven?t been changed for nearly 15 years. And because many Obama U.S.D.A. appointees are focusing on improving student health through better food, the department has started an aggressive effort to study reform efforts big and small. These include the national farm-to-school program, which is in nearly 9,000 schools. · Read the entire article.
Farm-To-School Programs Featured On New NCAT Radio Show by Holly Michels and Jef Birkby ATTRA and NCAT Published 08/18/2009
Sustainable Agriculture Spotlight airs Thursdays at 11 a.m. MDT from July to October. This week?s program discusses techniques to bring local food to lunch trays in school and college cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
Rural Tour takes Obama officials to rural N.C. by Caitlin Cissne News 14 Published 08/17/2009
The Obama administration brought its "Rural Tour" to North Carolina Monday. Questions from the audience were about everything from school lunches to support for local farmers. · Read the entire article.
U.S. education, agriculture secretaries visit Richmond County by Bryan Mims WRAL.com Published 08/17/2009
Vilsack said farmers markets support local growers, who in-turn can enhance nutrition in local schools. ?(For) many of our students these are the only meals they get,? Duncan said. ?I see too many of these meals thrown away. They?re not nutritious. They?re not healthy. We?re wasting money.? · Read the entire article.
Civility and respect rule at bipartisan town hall meeting by Jim Morrill CharlotteObserver.com Published 08/17/2009
Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr and Democratic U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell joined two Cabinet secretaries in fielding questions from an overflow audience at Richmond Community College. One man asked Duncan about school vouchers, or public subsidies for private schools, saying they would give more families more choices. · Read the entire article.
Local food movement continues to grow in Lake County by Terre Logsdon Lake County News Published 08/17/2009
Even youth in Lake County get to participate in the local food movement. Both Kelseyville Unified School District and the Konocti Unified School District purchase some of their fresh produce locally, have school gardens, and participate in the farm-to-school program of the HLN. · Read the entire article.
Fresh Farms Give City Children Food Options by Natalie Moore Chicago Public Radio Published 08/16/2009
A free program called Fresh from the Farm is teaching students about food in creative ways. The goal is to form them to have agency when making their own food choices. This radio show features Fresh from the Farm's summer work at the Ames Middle School. · Read the entire article.
Progressive Eaters, Unite! by Courtney Helgoe Experience Life Published 08/15/2009
America?s food industry is in the midst of a dramatic culture shift that?s challenging everything we?ve been taught about eating. Here?s how to take advantage of this exciting new movement and eat more healthfully than ever before. · Read the entire article.
Brother and sister hoping to launch Pembroke farmers market by Becca Manning Penbroke Express Published 08/14/2009
"I would love to see this go to the next level of educating kids on gardening and eating healthy," she said. "They have the whole Farm to School program, getting local growers to sell to school systems. Kingston's doing it, and I'd love to see it happen in Pembroke." · Read the entire article.
Mid-Del dietitian to give color to students' nutrition by Chris Schutz NewsOK Published 08/13/2009
The district is applying to join the federal Farm to School program, which supplies extra fresh produce to schools where at least half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, Kirkes said. · Read the entire article.
New law puts locally produced foods on menu by Peter Korn Sustainable Life Published 08/13/2009
The House Bill 2763 takes effect in January. The bill amends state purchasing requirements so that public agencies can favor locally produced foods. Public agencies can buy locally grown or produced food even if it is as much as 10 percent more expensive than food from outside. · Read the entire article.
School Board adds member to food panel by Hannah Guzik Ashland Daily Tidings Published 08/13/2009
The School Board has chosen the members for new Food Service Study Committee. Tracy Harding, the executive director of the Rogue Valley Farm to School program, is included in this new committee. The 11 committee members will be tasked with creating a food service program that is healthier and cheaper than the one the district uses now. · Read the entire article.
Nutrition conference held in Kellogg by Nick Rotunno Shoshone News Press Published 08/13/2009
The Kellogg conference ? with its workshops, instructors, networking and extensive vendor show ? was one more step toward overall student well-being. Attendees learned about the Farm to School program, which supplies cafeterias with fresher products from closer to home. · Read the entire article.
Nutrition conference held in Kellogg by Nick Rotunno Shoshone News Press Published 08/13/2009
The Kellogg conference ? with its workshops, instructors, networking and extensive vendor show ? was one more step toward overall student well-being. Attendees learned about the Farm to School program, which supplies cafeterias with fresher products from closer to home. · Read the entire article.
Community Garden Meeting Held by Stacie Gruntman Tumbler Ridge News Published 08/12/2009
The garden was also part of the "farm to school salad bar project" where a local high school would prepare salads with the fresh vegetables and sell to students twice weekly. All the money goes back into the garden to produce more food. · Read the entire article.
Let?s Talk Honestly About Improving School Food by Dana Woldow Beyond Chron Published 08/12/2009
The official party line is that ?it costs no more? for schools to do farm to school because purchasing locally grown produce is cheaper than buying food shipped in from all around the country. · Read the entire article.
States Push Locally Grown Food by Tami Yu Digital City Published 08/11/2009
Whether you like to eat your veggies or not, the slow food movement is steadily making headway across the nation. Currently there are 41 states, operating the Farm to School program. · Read the entire article.
'Buy Fresh, Buy Local' Independence Bulletin Journal Published 08/10/2009
For that purpose volunteers spent several hours preparing and freezing a variety of fresh vegetables. The effort is part of the district?s Farm to School program, a state-wide initiative that is overseen by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship that has grown from four districts to nine districts for the coming year. · Read the entire article.
'Buy Fresh, Buy Local' Cedar Valley Daily Times Published 08/10/2009
For that purpose volunteers spent several hours preparing and freezing a variety of fresh vegetables. The effort is part of the district?s Farm to School program, a state-wide initiative that is overseen by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship that has grown from four districts to nine districts for the coming year. · Read the entire article.
How Design Can Help Farmers? Markets Feed a Growing Demand by Alissa Walker GOOD Published 08/10/2009
How will these local farmers continue to supply our urban demands? And there are many farm-to-school programs like the one in Santa Monica, California where the public school district has bought farmers? market produce for their salad bars for 11 years. · Read the entire article.
Healthful snacks on way to schools by Katie Humphrey Star Tribune Published 08/08/2009
"If you had a chocolate chip cookie in front of you and an apple, obviously the chocolate chip cookie would be more appealing," Rondeau-Ambroz said. Food services director Roxanne Williams said that's part of the rationale behind the exit of deep fryers and ice cream from some of the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage schools. The emphasis this year will be on locally grown foods and farm-to-school education and eating. · Read the entire article.
School Board to appoint food panel members by Hannah Guzik Ashland Daily Tidings Published 08/08/2009
At the 7 p.m. meeting in the City Council Chambers, the board will need to choose between seven people who have applied for the community member positions. Tracy Harding is one of them; she is the executive director of the Rogue Valley Farm to School program. · Read the entire article.
Real food, local food CommonsNews.org Published 08/08/2009
On Friday, Aug. 14, a reception will benefit the Farm to School Committee of the Brattleboro Town Elementary Schools. · Read the entire article.
Cooking The Books: Why We Need Home Economics (back) in Schools by Sarah Sliwa The Faster Times Published 08/07/2009
While there is significant and laudable momentum around school gardening, farm-to-school procurement, school wellness policy implementation, and improved nutrition for school food offerings, there are several unique reasons to advocate for home economics for both genders. · Read the entire article.
Ristorante Italiano features local organic produce by JoAnn Saccato Lake County News Published 08/06/2009
Leonardis? produce is available through various outlets including Zino?s Ristorante, Nature?s Bounty in Lakeport, Lake County Community Co-op?s CSA boxes, Ukiah Co-op, Finley Farmers? Market and direct from the farm sales. Farmer Jim Leonardis of Leonardis Organics also participates in the Farm to School program with Kelseyville and Konocti Unified districts providing a direct link for students to their food. · Read the entire article.
Time for Lunch campaign promotes slow food movement by Abby Chou Examiner.com Published 08/06/2009
Slow food is a way of eating and living that focuses on whole foods and local farming. One major supporter of slow food is the National Farm to School network. · Read the entire article.
Allston-Brighton political notes by area politicians and Allston-Brighton editors Allston-Brighton Published 08/05/2009
Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan joined numerous mayors and more than 100 child hunger advocates, public health officials, and food security and policy leaders from across the Northeast in a call to action to end child hunger. The conference included strategy sessions on improving access to child nutrition programs through federal, state and local child nutrition programs, and on strengthening regional food security through urban and rural linkages such as farm to school. The Boston Public Schools plan to expand farm-to-school programs as a way to incorporate more fresh produce into school lunches. · Read the entire article.
Maryland boosting efforts for its own farm-to-school bid by Sean Clougherty Americanfarm.com Published 08/04/2009
Although there is a lot of enthusiasm in the ?farm to school? effort in Maryland, advocates were told slow and steady wins the race in making significant and lasting change. Doug Davis, food service director for the Burlington, Vt., school district talked about his successes and challenges in developing a program to get more whole and locally grown food onto student?s lunch trays in the keynote speech at Maryland?s first farm-to-school workshop last week. · Read the entire article.
Planting the seeds: Eureka parents propose the city's first garden school by Donna Tam The Times-Standard Published 08/04/2009
Michelle Wyler, manager of Farm-to-School Humboldt, said the program Riggs and Smart are trying to start seems to be the first of its kind in the county. She said while there are many schools that integrate some curriculum with a school garden into their lesson plans, none have had an entirely garden-based program. · Read the entire article.
Governor Douglas on healthcare: federal plan stresses coverage, not prevention by John Flowers Addison Independent Published 08/03/2009
Governor Douglas discusses health care, the budget shortfall, and agricultural policy. He says he is a big fan of the Farm to School program, through which fresh local farm produce is made available at public schools. · Read the entire article.
Local Food for Local Schools by Jonathan Pitts District Administration/Baltimore Sun Published 08/03/2009
The Jane Lawton Farm to School Conference in Crownsville, a joint production of the state's agriculture and education departments, was a success once again this year. Last year, the Maryland General Assembly charged the divisions with promoting fresh and local school food by passing Senate Bill 158, a measure that created the Jane Lawton Farm to School Program. Gov. Martin O'Malley signed it into law in May 2008. "Farm to school is a complex mission with many working parts," Stew Eidel, a Maryland State Department of Education official, told nearly 200 farmers, educators, food-service directors and parents at an Anne Arundel County workshop last week. "But it has one simple goal: to produce healthy kids." · Read the entire article.
NH schools are learning to offer healthier foods by Denise Brewitt NashuaTelegraph.com Published 08/02/2009
High-sugar items are being nixed from menus. Tasting events are offering students unusual fruits like plantains and kumquats. And communities are becoming involved with programs such as New Hampshire Farm to School, which helps connect schools with local farms to bring fresh, local foods into cafeterias. Ask the students who attend schools participating in the New Hampshire Farm to School program, and they?re sure to tell you how much better-tasting produce from a local farm is. · Read the entire article.
Local food for local schools by Jonathan Pitts Baltimore Sun Published 08/02/2009
The Jane Lawton Farm to School Conference in Crownsville, a joint production of the state's agriculture and education departments, was a success once again this year. Last year, the Maryland General Assembly charged the divisions with promoting fresh and local school food by passing Senate Bill 158, a measure that created the Jane Lawton Farm to School Program. Gov. Martin O'Malley signed it into law in May 2008. "Farm to school is a complex mission with many working parts," Stew Eidel, a Maryland State Department of Education official, told nearly 200 farmers, educators, food-service directors and parents at an Anne Arundel County workshop last week. "But it has one simple goal: to produce healthy kids." · Read the entire article.
2010: Brian Clem's listening tour heads to Southern Oregon by Kari Chisholm Blue Oregon Published 08/01/2009
State Rep. Brian Clem (D-Salem)mentions Farm to School in a TV interview. · Read the entire article.
Insights by Goldie by Goldie Caughlan PCC Natural Markets Published 08/01/2009
The National Farm to School Network, the Community Food Security Coalition, and School Food FOCUS are collaborating to implement programs that provide fresh, nutritious food to schools and a profitable, stable market for local farmers. Their project, ?One Tray at a Time,? will launch officially this fall when Congress is back in session. · Read the entire article.
Farm to school in local-motion by Mike Mitchelson Foodservice News Published 08/01/2009
There will be several topics discussed at the Minnesota School Nutrition Association annual conference this month, but arguably the most important will be the presentation on a statewide Farm To School school lunch initiative. · Read the entire article.
Farm to school in local-motion by Mike Mitchelson Food Service News Published 08/01/2009
There will be several topics discussed at the Minnesota School Nutrition Association annual conference this month, but arguably the most important will be the presentation on a statewide Farm To School school lunch initiative. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School benefits counties like Macon The Franklin Press Published 08/01/2009
Congress will consider funding for the Farm to School program on Sept. 30. We support mandatory funding for Farm to School for several important reasons. · Read the entire article.
Mayor Menino Convenes Summit to End Child Hunger by Mayor's Office City of Boston.gov Published 07/31/2009
The conference included strategy sessions on improving access to child nutrition programs through federal, state and local child nutrition programs, and on strengthening regional food security through urban and rural linkages such as farm to school, farmers market partnerships and local food procurement opportunities to alleviate child hunger. · Read the entire article.
A lesson in 'farm to fork' by Eleanor Greene The Valley Sun Published 07/30/2009
Summer school students learned the importance of locally grown foods last week at Paradise Canyon Elementary. Moira Beery and Emily Dwyer from the Farm to School program visited Marcia Van's "Cooking Around the World" class to discuss the agriculture, farming and farmer's markets. · Read the entire article.
Podcast #16. OurNakedFood: The Farm to School Program Our Naked Food Published 07/30/2009
Our Naked Foods interviews Debra Eschmeyer, Program Media & Marketing Director of the Farm To School Network, via skype. This podcast opens by emphasizing the climbing obesity rates in New Zealand, as is currently the 3rd most obese nation in the developed world according to the newly released OECD Health Data Report for 2009. · Read the entire article.
Schools look for ways to buy locally grown food by E.B. FURGURSON III Hometown Annapolis Published 07/30/2009
Schools across Maryland are taking the first steps to include more locally grown food in their cafeterias, but it will be a long, bumpy road to get there, participants in a conference in Crownsville learned yesterday. "Maryland Farm to School: A Ripe Opportunity" was how one presenter put it. This article goes on to feature case studies highlighted at the conference. · Read the entire article.
Food for Thought by Karla Sluis The Durango Herald Published 07/29/2009
The Herald screened "Food, Inc.," which is now playing at the Abbey Theatre through Aug. 6, for a panel of local food professionals and experts on Monday. We asked what they thought of the film and how it connected to our local food culture. Jim Dyer, director of Durango's Farm to School program, prescreened the film and sent his comments via e-mail. · Read the entire article.
School Lunch Program: A Prime Opportunity to Serve Up Improvements by Aimee Witteman Natural Awakenings Published 07/28/2009
This year, Congress plans to reconsider the Child Nutrition Act?federal legislation that authorizes the school lunch program?and a grassroots effort is underway to improve the state of affairs in school cafeterias. Specifically, good food advocates would like to see $50 million in mandatory funding for Farm to School programs. · Read the entire article.
UNH makes list of top 15 'green' colleges Seacoastonline.com Published 07/28/2009
UNH is a leader in integrating sustainability throughout its curricula, operations, research, and engagement efforts. Committed to being a model sustainable learning community, UNH has earned several awards for its sustainability initiatives, which range from having the largest transit system in the state and being the first in the nation to receive an EPA Energy Star building rating for residence halls to innovative research and engagement through efforts like Carbon Solutions New England and the NH Farm to School program. · Read the entire article.
Take Action to Support Healthy Foods by Julia Wasson Blue Planet Green Living Published 07/28/2009
Actions You Can Take: The summer recess is coming up, and during their town hall meetings, we need to contact specific elected officials who serve on committees that deal with the Child Nutrition Act re-authorization. This is the legislation that contains funding for the Farm to School program. · Read the entire article.
Plan to return farming to Staples School property moving forward by Julie Weisberg HersamAcorn.com Published 07/24/2009
Tressler has set his sights on a new project: restore the additional, unused acreage on the Samuel Staples Elementary School campus to active farmland. As part of the plan, portions of the land would be leased to interested area growers, a second small portion would be designated as a Samuel Staples student garden, and a third area would be set aside for farm-to-school produce production. · Read the entire article.
State to Hold Workshop On Farm to School Program The Washington Post Published 07/23/2009
The Maryland Department of Agriculture will conduct a workshop from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in Crownsville about how to increase children's consumption of healthful, local foods and help students understand the role of agriculture in the state's economy and the environment. · Read the entire article.
Eller Family Farm by Sarah Milnar Community of a Plate Published 07/22/2009
Barb makes sure all her pigs, cows and goats have room to roam over 140 acres of farm and forest. Now Barb has made it her mission to keep her community out of the hospital by providing good, healthy food. She is now working to start a a Farm to School program. · Read the entire article.
Memories pull woman home to work James Ranch land by Marje Cristol The Durango Herald Published 07/22/2009
Wheeling is one of five siblings who has returned to Durango to raise her children on the family ranch. She chose to till the soil and plant the seeds that provide a bounty of vegetables, berries and flowers. Marketing to schools, restaurants, grocers and directly to her customers, James has developed an important complement to her family's enterprise. An active Farm to School advocate, Wheeling contracts with Durango School District 9-R and Fort Lewis College to provide fresh produce. Read the entire article. · Read the entire article.
PROJECT LEAN: Maximize nutrition by using local food by Joyce Houston The Times-Standard Published 07/22/2009
The Community Alliance with Family Farms is best known in Humboldt County for its Farm to School program. This year the alliance has launched a ?Buy Fresh Buy Local? campaign. · Read the entire article.
Sarasota school district partners with local farms by Kate Spinner Herald Tribune Published 07/21/2009
When tomatoes are ripe in Ruskin and blueberries abundant in Myakka City, students will find them in their school lunches this year. The district plans to spend as much as $400,000 at Southwest Florida farms this year through a program called farm-to-school. · Read the entire article.
State Legislators Host Hearing On Michigan's Agriculture Industry by JM WHMI 93.5 FM Published 07/21/2009
The future of agriculture, programs and state permit issues along with costs and land issues were all brought up along with farm to school feeding programs. The lawmakers are touring the state for input and yesterday was the group?s second hearing with the ultimate goal to produce ideas that can be turned into legislation. · Read the entire article.
The high cost of cheap food by Megan Nix Denver Post Published 07/19/2009
Supplying cafeterias with local organic food isn't fancy; it's cheaper than skipping lunch. In the long run, our tax dollars wouldn't subsidize the petroleum that keep factories surging, trucks transporting our tomatoes, and our health insurance bills skyrocketing. · Read the entire article.
Too many children in danger of obesity as adults by Shari Barkin, M.D., MSHS The Tennessean Published 07/18/2009
Tennessee farm-to-school programs enhance accessibility of fresh produce, but are such innovative programs and policies probably enough to halt the epidemic? · Read the entire article.
Slow Food Chicago Eat-in to rally at Daley Plaza by Janet Barrett Examiner.com Published 07/17/2009
Community groups and school groups, parents, teachers and students; anyone who cares about providing uncompromised quality in school lunches can be a part of the Slow Food Chicago Eat-in Wed., Aug. 26, at Daley Plaza by packing themselves a delicious, nutritious lunch and joining in. · Read the entire article.
Farm to Plate empowers ag-related businesses by Kathryn Flagg Addison County Independent Published 07/16/2009
The Farm to Plate bill aims to map the state?s local food system, draft a development plan growing the local foods industry, and create an ?overall framework? for putting local foods into the hands of Vermonters and Vermont schools and businesses. · Read the entire article.
The Next Course by Jane Black Washington Post Published 07/15/2009
The garden has been an unqualified success; on the first family's trip to Moscow last week, Russians were far more interested in Obama's garden than in her fashion sense. The challenge now is to craft a strategy to capitalize on Obama's newfound clout to improve school lunches and access to fresh fruits and vegetables and to make how we eat an integral part of the national health-care debate. · Read the entire article.
School Lunch Brings Home the Bacon by David Richardson Miller-McCune Published 07/14/2009
In 2005, Ecotrust partnered with Portland's Abernethy Elementary for a semester-long experiment in far-to-school. The challenge was to find a way to extend the farm-fresh approach beyond one model school. Ecotrust secured a $150,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente Community Fund for a first-of-its-kind district wide study of a local purchasing incentive to work in the · Read the entire article.
What's on the Salem Farmers' Market this weekend by Beth Carson Roanoke.com Published 07/10/2009
We have lots of farmers on the market this morning, and expect a near to full house tomorrow! Drop by and see what our farmers have in store for you! Plus, here are some facts from the University of Minnesota Farm to School Program about why fresh, local foods are better. · Read the entire article.
Maryland to Host First-Ever Farm-to-School Workshop on July 29 by Maryland Department of Agriculture Published 07/09/2009
Maryland farmers, food service staff, parents, teachers, and interested citizens are invited to attend to plan how to increase children's consumption of healthy, local food and help students understand how healthy eating and agriculture's benefits to the economy and the environment. · Read the entire article.
District, chef create nutrition pilot program by Patty Miller The Edmund Sun Published 07/08/2009
Edmond Board of Education members voted 5-0 Monday night to begin the program, along with high praise from some board members. Dave Fouts, with Simply Smart Food, made the proposal to develop and implement a cost-effective, nutritious and tasty school breakfast and lunch program that will be healthy, contribute to academic performance and that eventually can be implemented district-wide. · Read the entire article.
Could have been worse at PCPH by Natalie J. Ostgaard Crookston Daily Times Published 07/08/2009
A collaborative of eight Minnesota counties, with Polk serving as the fiscal agent, has been awarded a $1,110,000 Statewide Health Improvement Program. Possibilities include the Farm-to-School program that brings healthy locally grown products to school lunch menus. · Read the entire article.
Local producers will foster OSU freshness by Monique Headley Stillwater Newspress Published 07/07/2009
Terry Baker, director of University Dining Services, is confident that a collaboration of collegiate creativity and local agribusiness producers will offer a delicious benefit to all at Oklahoma State University. Integral to the successful germination and efficiency of the program is Chris Kirby, director of the Farm To School Program for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, said Baker. · Read the entire article.
Salem Democrat Clem to test race for governor by Peter Wong Statesman Journal Published 07/07/2009
He championed farm-to-school programs ? although he failed to win funding to enable schools to buy Oregon produce and processed foods ? and better relations between agriculture and environmentalists. Is your state fit or fat? by Catherine Holecko About.com Guide to Family Fitness Published 07/06/2009
The "F as in Fat" report shows how states are reacting to the climbing obesity percentages. For laws enacted between June 2008 and June 2009, the report says that 19 states have passed legislation regarding farm-to-school programs, which can improve nutrition at schools as well as increase sales for farmers. · Read the entire article.
Local food gets toehold in central Illinois by Kathryn Rem The State Journal-Register Published 07/05/2009
In about a year, the Illinois Stewardship Alliance expects to issue a report with recommendations for improving and strengthening the local food system. Topics the task force may examine include: Farm-to-school programs. These can include everything from gardening on school property and teaching farm curriculum to helping kids cook and serving local foods in school lunchrooms. · Read the entire article.
Leduc Farm legacy secured by Joel Banner Baird The Burlington Free Press Published 07/04/2009
The Vermont Land Trust will consider the Common Roots proposal among others, but Common Roots's mission to combine farm-to-school food production with an educational facility perfectly satisfies one of the Vermont Land Trust's provisions--to provide the community with additional opportunities or services. · Read the entire article.
State ranks in top 10 for obesity prevention by Howard Weiss-Tisman Brattleboro Reformer Published 07/02/2009
Vermont and Connecticut were among the leaders in preventing obesity in children. Vermont was credited in the report for the work it has done in the schools to address the issue. · Read the entire article.
Fixing Lunch by Corby Kummer The Atlantic Magazine Published 07/01/2009
Tony Geraci is determined to get healthy food to the kids in Baltimore's public schools. (Article also highlights the St. Paul Public Schools lunch program.) · Read the entire article.
Oklahoma is Sixth-Fattest State by Kim Archer American Chronicle Published 07/01/2009
The national "F is for Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America 2009" report ranked the overweight and obesity rate of 10- to 17-year-old Oklahoma children 33rd in the nation, tied with Washington state. · Read the entire article.
Study: Michigan climbs scales as 9th fattest state by Megha Satyanarayana Detroit Free Press Published 07/01/2009
Michigan?s obesity has risen 1% since last year?s report. Dr. James Marks, senior vice president of RWJF, said, ?We must continue to view this with alarm." · Read the entire article.
Local foods galore by José Quezada Times-Standard Published 07/01/2009
Humboldt Community Alliance with Family Farmers was formed in October 2006 by uniting the Friends of Humboldt County Farmers Markets with the Farm to School program. · Read the entire article.
School Meal Program Looking Buff Food Management Magazine Published 07/01/2009
When Environmental Club students at Winona (MN) High School suggested that the district reduce its carbon footprint and get greener four years ago, few would have imagined that it would result in ?buffburgers? and ?buffdogs? on the lunch line ? items made with bison meat produced by a local rancher/processor. But that was one of the major consequences of the decision, says the district's nutrition services director, Lyn Halverson. · Read the entire article.
Education Newsmakers: 06/30/2009 Traverse City Record Eagle Published 06/30/2009
Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools Superintendent Michael Buell recently met with U.S. Senate leaders and experts in Washington, D.C., to discuss promoting healthy eating habits and increasing physical activity in students, featuring farm to school. · Read the entire article.
Summer Fruit Made Simple by Natalie Haughton Pasadena Star-News Published 06/30/2009
Cory Schreiber the farm-to-school food coordinator with the Oregon Department of Agriculture has co-written the cookbook "Rustic Fruit Desserts", which features fresh, local, and seasonal recipes. · Read the entire article.
Obama Administration Begins Naming State Executive Directors for the Farm Service Agency USDA.gov Published 06/29/2009
Obama appoints Jim Barber as the NY Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency at the USDA. Barber is very active on agricultural organizations and co-founded NY Farms!, an organization that developed the Farm-to-School program which was later adopted by the State. · Read the entire article.
From Farm to School: The Push to Get Locally Grown Food to American School Children by Jenn Escalona Bright Hub Published 06/24/2009
Farm to School programs can simultaneously fight the childhood obesity epidemic and preserve the livelihoods of local farmers all the while saving taxpayer money. · Read the entire article.
Local Promotes Program by Angela Weaver The Evening Leader Published 06/23/2009
Farm to school programs ensure that our children eat the highest-quality food available. These programs deliver food that not only nourishes children?s bodies immediately, but also knowledge that enhances their educational experience and cultivates long-term healthy eating habits. They are a win-win for kids, farmers, communities, educators, parents and the environment. · Read the entire article.
It's Time for Lunch: Slow Food USA Pushes to Get Real Food into Schools by Slow Food USA PRWEB Published 06/23/2009
Slow Food USA launches a national campaign to get real food into schools highlighted by a national day of action on Labor Day, Sept. 7, 2009. The national day of action will consist of more than 100 local Eat-Ins across the country. As part of the campaign, Slow Food USA has created a platform outlining specific "asks" for Congress in updating the Child Nutrition Act due for reauthorization in September. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Food Focus Workshop Held Today in OKC by Jack Carson Oklahoma Agriculture Blog Published 06/23/2009
The goal of today?s program was to let state school and college food service personnel meet local farmers and resource people to discuss better ways to introduce and increase the amount of locally grown foods into our school lunch programs. About 125 people registered for the event with close to equal numbers of school nutrition folks and farmers. · Read the entire article.
Guest Column: Oregon students could benefit from Farm to School program by Deborah J. Kane Daily Astorian Published 06/22/2009
Other states invest resources to supplement the national school lunch and breakfast program, but Oregon currently doesn't allocate any state funding to school meals. HB2800 will change that by strategically allocating lottery resources to schools so that they can purchase more Oregon grown, processed and manufactured foods for the lunchroom. · Read the entire article.
Legislature should add fresh food to school lunches by Deborah J. Kane Mail Tribune Published 06/21/2009
Other states invest resources to supplement the national school lunch and breakfast program, but Oregon currently doesn't allocate any state funding to school meals. HB 2800 will change that by strategically allocating lottery resources to schools so that they can purchase more Oregon- grown, -processed and -manufactured foods for the lunch room. · Read the entire article.
LEAVING A BAD TASTE: ?Closed campus? policy at KHS could take bite out of restaurant profits by Kyle Wind Daily Freeman Published 06/21/2009
School administrators plan to ?close the campus,? keeping juniors and seniors from leaving school grounds for lunch, as they are allowed to now...because the district is looking for more locally grown fruits and produce to improve the quality and healthiness of its meals, which now will be served to nearly all students. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-School a Hit with Students by Kendra Blevins Jenks Gazette Published 06/20/2009
This year Jenks Public Schools are seeing the fruits of the Farm-to-School Program. Pat Meadows, director of child nutrition, says it was the right time to start the program. · Read the entire article.
Add fresh food to school lunches by Deborah J. Kane The Stump on OregonLive.com Published 06/18/2009
Other states invest resources to supplement the national school lunch and breakfast program, but Oregon currently doesn't allocate any state funding to school meals. HB2800 will change that by strategically allocating lottery resources to schools so that they can purchase more Oregon grown, processed and manufactured foods for the lunchroom. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Opportunities by Lauren Ware About.com Published 06/17/2009
The national Farm to School program is taking off in many parts of the United States! More and more schools are setting up programs. · Read the entire article.
Harlem students harvest lessons on Yorktown farm by Brian J. Howard LoHUD.com Published 06/17/2009
34 students from the Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy 2 charter school took part yesterday in the Something Good in the World's Earth School's Farm-to-School program at Hilltop Hanover Farm. The purpose is to partner with schools by bringing students to the farm for several repeat visits so they can learn about where their food comes from, how it grows and how it gets to their plates. · Read the entire article.
Kids Rethink New Orleans Schools: News Conference by Tiffany The Trumpet Published 06/12/2009
Yesterday, NPN attended Rethink's new conference about their latest project, "Kids Will Eat It!", which aims to bring fresh, local food to New Orleans' public schools. · Read the entire article.
Volunteers sought by Extension by Bob Audette Brattleboro Reformer Published 06/11/2009
In the past seven years, the UVM Extension Youth Horticulture Project has worked with more than 1,600 youth, grown more than 24,500 pounds of produce, raised more than $6,000 through various youth-run enterprises and donated more than 15,000 pounds of produce to local hunger relief programs and schools. · Read the entire article.
Schools fight uphill battle on healthy food by Eric Hartley Hometown Annapolis Published 06/11/2009
About 30,000 kids eat a school lunch every day at Central Elementary School in Edgewater, so there's clearly an opportunity to make a difference in how some of them eat, perhaps even for the rest of their lives. · Read the entire article.
Attacking Hunger at Its Roots by Hillary Clinton The Huffington Post Published 06/11/2009
"The Obama Administration is committed to providing leadership in developing a new global approach to hunger. We will look to 7 guiding principles to support the creation of effective, sustainable farming systems in regions around the world where the current methods aren't working." · Read the entire article.
Students test recipes to change their own lunch menu, in a fresh local direction by Judy Walker The Times-Picayune Published 06/11/2009
A group of middle school students hope to provide proof today to the leaders of the Recovery School District that students will eat fresh, local, healthy foods. · Read the entire article.
New Roots rounding out faculty by Liz Lawyer Ithaca Journal Published 06/10/2009
The faculty and staff for New Roots Charter School is nearly complete, including a newly-appointed Farm to School meal program coordinator. · Read the entire article.
UCSC grad, thinking baby food should be local and green, wins $12,000 in startup cash by Jondi Gumz Santa Cruz Sentinel Published 06/10/2009
Not only did Olin have experience as a chef in New York, she knew about "farm to school" programs. · Read the entire article.
Today's Topic: Farm to School Program In the Field Published 06/10/2009
North Carolina farmers provided nearly $700,000 worth of fresh produce to local school systems through the N.C. Farm to School program, which connects local farms with local schools. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler explains to Rhonda Garrison why this is a win-win situation for farmers and for students. · Read the entire article.
Cartwright family art in Waldoboro Village Soup Published 06/10/2009
Chelsea graduated from Finger Lakes School of Massage in 2006 and has worked with young children and for the Flannel Shirt Fund, established in memory of Joel. Through small grants the fund encourages children to grown their own food and foster farm-to-school projects. · Read the entire article.
Artist colony at Colton school to disband; Matt Damon to help relocate rooftop garden by Eliot Kamenitz The Times-Picayune Published 06/10/2009
Kids Rethink New Orleans Schools will announce today that it plans to use a $10,000 pledge from actor Matt Damon to start a "Can You Match Matt" fund-raiser. The money will be used to help find a permanent home for its rooftop garden. · Read the entire article.
Grow it local by Howard Weiss-Tisman Brattleboro Reformer Published 06/09/2009
School garden programs have been blooming all over Windham County during the past few years...Now a parent at Putney Central School wants to supersize the amount of local fruits and vegetables that are served in regional cafeterias during the school year. · Read the entire article.
School garden beginning to take shape at Hennessy by Aimee Retzler The Union Published 06/08/2009
Hennessy Elementary School in Grass Valley is taking a first step in helping students learn where their food comes from. Volunteers from Hennessy, in partnership with the University of California Cooperative Extension and Live Healthy Nevada County, recently built more than 20 raised beds where planting started before school let out. · Read the entire article.
From the Ground Up: A Student-Centered Wellness Program with its Roots in the Garden Published 06/08/2009
A budding farm to school program in Marbletown Elementary School, in Stone Ridge, NY with volunteer opportunities. · Read the entire article.
Cash cow: Strolling of the Heifers has delivered on its promise to help farmers by Howard Weiss-Tisman Brattleboro Reformer Published 06/06/2009
Munzing started the Strolling of the Heifers in 2002 to help raise awareness of local agriculture and money for struggling farmers. As The Stroll enters its eighth year, its reach has extended from the farm, to the schools and into social service agencies. · Read the entire article.
Intimate Portrait: Ralph Ariza, AmeriCorps Intern by Ralph Ariza Mountain Talk Published 06/05/2009
My major guiding light right now is the direction that my Community Action Project is taking. I have been researching farm-to-school connections and edible school gardens. · Read the entire article.
What's For Lunch? Fruits & Vegetables by Sade Malloy kimatv Published 06/05/2009
The Toppenish School District just got a Gold award from the USDA for their healthy food options. · Watch the video · Read the entire article.
Executive Profile: Jennifer Fike Executive director, Food System Economic Partnership by Janet Miller Michigan Business Review Published 06/04/2009
Jennifer Fike wants to make sure the family farm doesn't end up on the endangered species list. As executive director of the nonprofit Food System Economic Partnership, Fike connects local food buyers with local food growers. · Read the entire article.
NCDA&CS Farm to School program has record year by Gary Gay, director of the NCDA&CS Food Distribution Division Published 06/04/2009
When teachers and school lunchroom staff encouraged students to eat their fruits and veggies this year, it is a good bet they were fresh from a North Carolina farm. More than $685,000 worth of food made its way onto school trays during the 2008-2009 school year, the most for the 12-year-old Farm to School program managed by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School promotes healthy eating habits, local foods by Nicole Strittmater Stevens Point Journal Published 06/02/2009
Nathan Hunter, 10, sat in the cafeteria Monday afternoon with his school lunch -- a slice of pizza, bread, milk and peaches. The Jefferson School for the Arts student said there is one thing that would make his dining experience better -- local foods. "I think it would be really nice, because it would be a lot healthier, and it would be good for the Earth," he said. · Read the entire article.
N.C. blueberries burst into schools as Farm to School Program posts record year by Andrea Ashby In the Field Published 06/02/2009
Overall, it has been a great year for the department?s Farm to School Program. Nearly $700,000 worth of North Carolina commodities have moved into the school systems this year, more than ever in the 12-year history of the program. · Read the entire article.
Saving the planet starts with kids by Colleen Armstrong Island Sounder Published 06/02/2009
By educating and instilling an appreciation for all plants, creatures and the relationship between them, we are ensuring a brighter future for ourselves and the land that surrounds us. · Read the entire article.
Buying local food helps farmers, schools, and the environment by Gregg Hoffman Biz Opinion Published 06/01/2009
A vast majority of people in the world live within 10 miles of their food sources, but in the United States much of our food travels as far as 2,000 miles from the farm to the table. While that system allows us to eat relatively fresh fruits and vegetables in winter in Wisconsin, it adds costs, has adverse environmental effects through transportation, raises questions about health and "food security" and takes money out of the local economy. · Read the entire article.
Farm Fresh by Chelsey Simpson Living in South Carolina magazine Published 06/01/2009
This is a wonderful story describing the Farm to School efforts in South Carolina. It describes the health impact and economic impact of farm to school programs. · Read the entire article.
Ag, education in spotlight at fair by Associated Press Rutland Herald Published 05/31/2009
All proceeds from the raffle, rides and donations will benefit the Hartland Farm to School Program, which helps children make connections between the food they eat and where it comes from. · Read the entire article.
Committee sends ODA budget to Oregon Senate floor by Mitch Lies Capital Press Published 05/29/2009
In the budget, ODA is proposing to preserve its farm-to-school coordinator position and a renewable energy position. · Read the entire article.
The school lunchroom grows green by Yvonne Zipp The Christian Science Monitor Published 05/29/2009
At a private school in Newark, N.J., students dine daily on ingredients grown on the building?s roof. In Baltimore, city schools have their own 33-acre organic farm, while in Riverside, Calif., elementary school students trundle wheelbarrows of lettuce and buckets of strawberries from a community garden behind the playground directly to their own salad bar. Across the United States, efforts to make school lunches more environmentally friendly have paired with the local food movement, as educators try to reconnect children with the growing season. School lunchrooms are also getting revamped to cut water and energy use and lessen food waste. · Read the entire article.
Giving local food thought by Sara Holt Durango Herald Published 05/28/2009
With the economy in flux and gas prices on the rise again, many people are asking how we can ensure food security in these changing times. Fortunately, the local food scene in La Plata County is alive and thriving, with farmers markets and several key players dedicated to building community and local food security in our little mountain island. · Read the entire article.
Some ag bills move by Mitch Lies Capital Press Published 05/28/2009
Oregon Department of Agriculture's budget cleared its first and potentially biggest hurdle this week. The budget protects the department's farm-to-school and renewable energy program coordinators. · Read the entire article.
Candidates Not ?Anti-Business? by Joaquin Lujan Mountain Mail Published 05/28/2009
She worked with the state Food and Agriculture Council to develop legislative funding for the Farm to School Program, which purchases New Mexico farm produce for our children?s public-school lunches. · Read the entire article.
Children plant carrots and democracy by Margaret Krome Revista Amauta Published 05/28/2009
At the Northeast Farm-to-School conference last week, children, teachers, farmers and school food administrators described every kind of project imaginable linking children directly with food production. · Read the entire article.
Fox Fire Farms is an expanding family affair by Marje Cristol Durango Herald Published 05/27/2009
They take a special interest in providing healthy food to the community's children, and have been working closely with area school districts, including Durango, Ignacio, Bayfield, Cortez and Pagosa Springs to provide certified organic grass-fed beef, a wonderful contribution to our local Farm to School programs. · Read the entire article.
Obesity grant plan trims local tummies by Scott Nicholson The Watauga Democrat Published 05/27/2009
The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service coordinated efforts to promote a Farm to School program. Healthy cooking classes were held in all afterschool programs in Watauga County and local produce taste tests occurred at Mabel and Bethel Elementary School. · Read the entire article.
Contact Your Legislators about Farm to School Bill by Mel Reader The Oregon Center for Christian Values Published 05/27/2009
We all know that Oregon faces a tremendous budget deficit this year and that?s a big part of the reason we are working so hard to get the legislature to invest in the Farm to School and School Garden Program. This innovative program will add much-needed stimulus to the state?s economy and feed hungry kids, whose numbers are growing as the economy worsens. · Read the entire article.
The Youth Shall Lead Us by Dean Williamson New West Published 05/27/2009
More great news about the future of local farming. The New York Times reports on an optimistic (in my opinion) national trend?more and more college students are seeking internships not on Wall Street, but on the farm. · Read the entire article.
Students nosh on fresh foods in new class by Elizabeth Willis The Enquirer Published 05/26/2009
Homer Community Schools in October became the third district in the state to obtain the non-competitive grant through Michigan State University Extension's Michigan Nutrition Network, Finch said. The goal is to get kids eating more whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and to increase their physical activity. It has allowed elementary students to grow nutritious foods from the seed and then try them in their classroom, among other activities. · Read the entire article.
Students nosh on fresh foods in new class by Elizabeth Willis The Enquirer Published 05/26/2009
Homer Community Schools in October became the third district in the state to obtain the non-competitive grant through Michigan State University Extension's Michigan Nutrition Network, Finch said. The goal is to get kids eating more whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and to increase their physical activity. It has allowed elementary students to grow nutritious foods from the seed and then try them in their classroom, among other activities. · Read the entire article.
Some Positive Directions in Public Health? by Heather Gray Counter Punch Published 05/24/2009
Following Pollan?s presentation I was then informed that the Senate Agriculture Committee would be holding a hearing on the ?Farm-to-School Initiatives in the Child Nutrition Reauthorization? program. I attended. With Senate Agriculture Committee chair Tom Harkin and committee member Georgia?s Senator Saxby Chambliss asking questions, the packed audience heard from USDA representatives, physicians and a farmer about ways to improve nutrition in the school system and provide healthy nutritious food to our youth. · Read the entire article.
St. Paul steps up Farm-to-School initiative by Mike Mitchelson Food Service News Published 05/23/2009
More than 2,000 school districts across the country are involved. With those participatory numbers and nutrition guidelines at the forefront of the school lunch debate, it?s safe to declare that finding locally-grown products is no mere feel-good measure. · Read the entire article.
City schools promote healthy foods by Mareesa Nicosia The Saratogian Published 05/23/2009
New initiatives to promote healthy eating in the district include the Farm to School program started last year and gardens on school grounds to provide vegetables and herbs for lunch menus. Division Street and Greenfield elementary schools broke ground on gardens this spring while Lake Avenue Elementary began a composting project to fuel a garden in the near future. · Read the entire article.
Insider guide to Fort Bragg: 20-plus delicious reasons to go there now by Wanda Hennig SF Culinary Travel Examiner Published 05/23/2009
Their biggest win to date has seen them turn several acres of school district property, previously strewn with trash and junk and adjoining Fort Bragg High School, into a thriving model garden sprouting abundant seasonal produce. They?ve trained about 1,000 students on the hows and whys of growing and eating fresh and local produce. Their farm-to-school program has the kids eating healthy in the school cafeteria. · Read the entire article.
Our Bay: This Week's Take: Grounding the connection to what kids eat by Cindy Ross The Capital Published 05/23/2009
It is disturbing to realize how ignorant some children are about the food they eat. The Farm to School program, a promising nationwide program with participants in our region. · Read the entire article.
A fresh classroom approach by Melissa Flores The Pinnacle Published 05/22/2009
Farm to school programs were the topic of discussion at a May 18 workshop presented by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers that was attended by school officials, food service directors, parents and teachers. · Read the entire article.
School lunch vendor recommended for board approval Tuesday by Charles A Peterson Newark Advocate Published 05/21/2009
A food service vendor judged to be offering solid economic, farm-to-school produce and recycling programs is being recommended to the Granville Board of Education Tuesday for next year?s school lunch program. AVI Fresh, of Warren, Ohio, graded out the best among three bidders, said school district Director of Business Operations Chuck Dilbone, who headed a committee of staff and citizens studying bid proposals. · Read the entire article.
Tasting The Local Flavor by Jenny Jones The Daily News Record Published 05/20/2009
Harrisonburg and Rockingham County students will get a little local flavor next week during Local Foods Day. The day will take place May 28 and will feature lunch offerings made from locally grown and processed produce, meat, poultry and flour. The program falls in line with a national initiative called Farm to School. · Read the entire article.
Dyers raise sheep and farming awareness The Durango Herald Published 05/20/2009
Jim Dyer is active in the local, state and national agricultural movement. He directs the Southwest Marketing Network, an effort to increase marketing expertise and opportunities for Four Corners farmers and ranchers. He also is actively involved in promoting Farm to School programs. Pam Dyer is involved in the local spinning and weaving guilds, and can be found working and selling her works of art at the local yarn shop. · Read the entire article.
Local School District Gets Lunch Makeover by Rebecca Trylch ABC12 News Published 05/20/2009
A Mid-Michigan school district is giving lunch a mini makeover. · Watch the video · Read the entire article.
Fields of dreams by Rob De Walt The New Mexican Published 05/19/2009
Field Days ? which began as a photography project but morphed into a full-blown memoir after an encounter between the author and Santa Rosa farmer Sharon Grossi (of Valley End Farm) ? is a fly-on-the-wall look at contemporary sustainable farming, and living, in Sonoma. · Read the entire article.
New College Announces Seven 2009 Fulbright Scholars New College of Florida Published 05/18/2009
Fulbright Teaching Assistantship to Germany A double major in German studies and anthropology, Lee Ellen plans to further develop her abilities as a language teacher while also completing a collaborative photograph-centered project in a German Eco-School (Umweltschule). The goal of her project is to compare and contrast the German Umweltschule movement with the American Farm-to-School movement. Upon returning to the U.S, Lee Ellen plans to apply to a graduate school with a Ph.D. program in German culture and language, with an emphasis on alternative cultural movements. She hopes to teach all levels of German language classes at a small liberal arts college, integrating her specialty of alternative cultural movements. · Read the entire article.
Evening Meals at School Open House features new community resource Islands Weekly Published 05/17/2009
The menu and the mission of these community dinners are lessons themselves in the benefit of sustainable, local foods and the strength of a connected community. ?Inspired by the L.I.F.E. Farm-to-School program, which is designed to teach sustainability, ecology and real life skills, the dinners began two years ago with the goal of strengthening ties between the community and the school. · Read the entire article.
Conference Focuses on Local Food WCAX News Published 05/17/2009
A regional conference on locally-grown food is got under way in Burlington Sunday. The Farm to School program is the product of three nonprofits that have been promoting the use of local produce in schools and institutions. The conference brings representatives from all over New England and New York State. It includes workshops and panels, and runs through Monday at Champlain College. · Read the entire article.
Schools aim to make lunches healthy, tasty by Amy Hetzner Journal Sentinel Published 05/16/2009
Like a number of schools throughout the state, Oconomowoc High School is trying to tackle that seemingly intractable barrier in the fight to improve childhood nutrition: the school lunch. · Read the entire article.
Urban Agriculture: Reap What You Sow Buffalo Rising Published 05/16/2009
These days it's hard to find a neighborhood on the West Side that doesn't have some sort of gardening or farming initiative rooted. Whether it's a tree farm, garden cooperative, organic garden or anything else that revolves around the idea of reclamation through grassroots empowerment. · Read the entire article.
Chambliss, Harkin partake in polite food fight by Ken Edelstein Atlanta Unsheltered Published 05/15/2009
The point of the Agriculture Committee hearing was hard to argue with: ?Benefits of Farm-to-School Projects, Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for School Children.? Real Mom and apple-pie stuff. Or at least, Mom and apple. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Program at Mountain Bounty Farm by Carlyle Miller Yuba Net Published 05/15/2009
At Mountain Bounty Farm, the long rows of broccoli and tomatoes are loving the warm weather. But vegetables aren't the only thing sprouting up at Mountain Bounty. This spring, students at Grizzly Hill School will also be doing a lot of growing at Nevada County's oldest Community Supported Agriculture farm or "CSA." · Read the entire article.
Backers laud benefits of farm-to-school bill by Mitch Lies Capital Press Published 05/14/2009
Farm-to-school backers brought out their big guns Tuesday, May 12, to testify in support of a bill backing local food purchases for school meals. At a hearing before a Ways and Means subcommittee, backers brought forward a true school-lunch expert - second-grader Zoe Kane. "I eat school lunch every day," Kane said, "so I am an expert in school lunch." · Read the entire article.
Community News Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published 05/14/2009
Advocates for feeding local-grown food to schoolchildren can watch proceedings of the U.S. Senate?s Agricultural Committee on Friday, when officials will hear testimony in DeKalb County about the benefits of ?farm-to-school? projects. · Read the entire article.
May 2009 Conferences Vermont Biz Published 05/14/2009
The Northeast Region Farm to School Conference The Northeast Farm to School Conference will be held at Champlain College in Burlington on May 17 and 18, 2009. Vermont Feed Education Every Day (FEED), National Farm to School, and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture are hosting the conference entitled Cooking Up Connections. May 17th will consist of half day short courses on Farm to School coordination, evaluation and integration of farm and food education into curriculum as well as field trips to the Intervale, City Market and Burlington?s Community Gardens. On Monday, May 18th, participants choose from 25 workshops and panel presentations from the Northeast?s Farm to School leaders. Registration is now open online at www.shelburnefarms.org · Read the entire article.
Localvor agriculture leads to wave of entrepreneurs by Art Edelstein Vermont Biz Published 05/14/2009
Vermont?s newest business startups are coming from a surprising sector of the economy not related to technology, manufacturing or tourism. The state, which boasts the highest percentage of people who buy locally grown food, is seeing a surge in small farmers. They say the growing cost of food shipped from California and elsewhere, coupled with concern about America?s use of gasoline and an overall concern for food safety is spurring local agriculture. · Read the entire article.
NY First Lady Urges Nutrition Program The Gouverneur Times Published 05/14/2009
The Governor also proposed the Healthy Food/Healthy Communities Initiative, which the legislature passed this year. It offers a new revolving loan fund to increase the number of healthy food markets in underserved communities. Additionally, the New York State Departments of Health and Agriculture & Markets have worked with schools, communities and farmers to develop and expand the Farm to School program. They worked to obtain procurement exemptions that would promote the use of local fruits and vegetables in schools, and to support edible school gardens. · Read the entire article.
Going green by Kirby Sprouls South Bend Tribune Published 05/13/2009
Niemier and her husband, John Niemier, operate Bertrand Farm on Bertrand Road, just north of the state line. It is a nonprofit, community-sponsored farm that has about 45 memberships and serves at least 70 families. In addition to community farming, Bertrand Farm offers educational components ? for adults and children. · Read the entire article.
Schools try local, fresher food by Stefanie Knowlton Statesman Journal Published 05/12/2009
Workers at Happy Harvest Farm gathered heads of romaine lettuce and strawberries from the greenhouse about 8 a.m. By noon, the produce dotted trays at Gervais High School 6 miles away. · Read the entire article.
The ?Process? of Rebuilding a Local Food Economy by Peter Metcalf New West Missoula Published 05/12/2009
Despite soaring demand for locally grown food, it remains primarily available only fresh, raw and in season, such as the delicious piles of salad greens, snap peas and summer squash that will soon fill the stalls of the region?s Farmer?s Markets, or as baked goods and jams, products allowed under state regulations to be made without a certified commercial kitchen. But many people would also like to purchase salad dressings for those raw vegetables, sauerkraut to pile on their elk sausage, or frozen Bitterroot Macs to make an apple pie in the winter, all made from locally grown ingredients. · Read the entire article.
Senators Chambliss & Harkin To Hold ?Farm to School? Hearing at CDC Decatur Metro Published 05/12/2009
In April, the school board officially approved a Farm to School initiative for the CSD school system. The program strives to put fresh and local foods ? from city and school gardens and local farms ? on the lunch plates of CSD students. · Read the entire article.
Recovery Act designates $2.5 million to promote healthy eating in Michigan schools by Eartha Jane Melzer Michigan Messenger Published 05/11/2009
Michigan schools have until May 29th to apply to the state Department of Education for federal Recovery Act funds for equipment to improve school lunch service. Many school cafeterias lack equipment needed to prepare meals from scratch and can only heat and serve prepared food. · Read the entire article.
Get fat, sugar out of schools The Post and Courier Published 05/11/2009
What's not to like about banning high-fat, high-sugar foods from school cafeterias and vending machines? It's good for children's health, and it's a good way to teach nutrition. · Read the entire article.
Farm-Fresh Fare Comes to St. Vrain Cafeterias by Barbara Hey The Denver Newspaper Published 05/08/2009
Starting this summer, students in the St. Vrain Valley School District will have farm-fresh, locally grown produce in their lunches. The farm-to-school program kicks off June 2, the pilot phase of what Shelly Allen, Director of Nutrition and Warehouse Services for the district, said will be a year-round plan to serve students fresh fruits and vegetables from nearby farms. · Read the entire article.
Around the Valley Montana's News Station Published 05/08/2009
· Read the entire article.
Baltimore's Geraci Grows a Hands-On Program by Jane Black Washington Post Published 05/06/2009
Nationwide, there have been years of discussion about how to improve school lunches; this summer, the debate heats up again as Congress takes up the reauthorization of child nutrition programs that President Obama has made a centerpiece of his domestic agenda. Over the years, Congress has mandated federal nutrition standards, funded fresh fruit and vegetable programs and debated, but never acted on, banning various "junk foods" from schools. Sustainable-food advocates have called for schools to serve more local food, a tactic they say would not only improve flavor but also help support small farms and renew rural communities. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School program brings organic beef to local students by Ken Odor The Goochland Gazette Published 05/06/2009
County students got another chance to sample locally produced food a few weeks ago as they dined on tacos made with organic beef from Brookview Farm. · Read the entire article.
School gardens planted in Northeast Kingdom Burlington Free Press Published 05/06/2009
Ten new school gardens will be planted in the Northeast Kingdom through the Green Mountain Farm-to-School program, a nonprofit based in Newport. · Read the entire article.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Beard by Kim Carlson Culinate Published 05/05/2009
Cory Schreiber, these days a farm-to-school administrator for the state of Oregon but also the chef who created Wildwood, appreciates Beard because ?he drew on his Pacific Northwest childhood as a key foundation that developed American cuisine through his writings and teachings.? · Read the entire article.
Local food offers taste of the good old days by Karen Utley Statesman Journal Published 05/05/2009
To make it easier for school lunch programs to connect with local economies, the Oregon Legislature in 2007 created the Farm to School program. More legislation, which would build on this program by allocating lottery money to schools to help them enrich their food programs with good locally grown food while supporting local economies, is under consideration. What a great idea! For the resulting better nutrition and stimulated economic growth cost? Seven cents per breakfast and 15 cents per lunch. Willamette Valley strawberries with Tillamook County cream on a school lunch tray? Priceless! · Read the entire article.
Talk about growing your own food in container gardens Wicked Local Published 05/02/2009
Kozower has been working in local food system-related jobs for more than a decade, including the Somerville Public Schools Food Service Department, to implement a farm-to-school program and promote consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and on Boston-area farms, including Gaining Ground and Land?s Sake. · Read the entire article.
3 candidates unopposed in ASD school board race Daily Tidings Published 05/02/2009
Alexander, a writer and tutor, had previously decided not to run for reelection for position five, but she changed her mind after seeing that few locals were interested in running. During her tenure on the board, Alexander has been involved in the high school redesign process, second language committee and farm-to-school program. · Read the entire article.
State?s first Farm-to-School conference filled to capacity by William Persson American Farm Published 05/01/2009
?Farm to School is a back-to-basics approach to help children make healthy choices and understand there are seasons for food,? said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher of the New Jersey Farm-to-School Conference held at the Lawrenceville School on April 18. · Read the entire article.
In the Kitchen: Taking the lead on school nutrition by Pat Tanner Central Jersey Published 05/01/2009
When the first-ever statewide conference on bringing local, healthy food into our New Jersey schools was held recently at The Lawrenceville School, it became apparent to me and the other 200 attendees that the Princeton area is at the forefront of the movement. · Read the entire article.
Charter School Planning Proceeds, But Questions Still Remain by Dani Neuharth-Keusch Cornell Sun Published 04/30/2009
In 2005 the U.N. began the Decade for Education for Sustainable Development with the vision to ?integrate the principles, values and practices of sustainable development into all aspects of education and learning,? according to UNESCO.org. The New Roots School is meant to be an application of those ideas, expanding beyond the classroom and into the streets and natural areas of Ithaca. New Roots students will contribute to Ithaca?s sustainability by restoring wetlands, researching agriculture in the context of climate change, bringing solar panels to low-income neighborhoods and creating green business networks, according to a press release. In the spirit of sustainability, the meal program at New Roots is a ?Farm to School? initiative to support locally grown and organic products. · Read the entire article.
A Taste of old favorites, new dishes by Linda A. Thompson-Odum The Hippo Published 04/30/2009
The 20th anniversary of Manchester?s Taste of the Nation will take place Wednesday, May 6, at the Radisson Center of New Hampshire (700 Elm St.). This event will benefit Share our Strength, whose goal is to end childhood hunger. The proceeds go to three local organizations ? The NH Food Bank, Children?s Alliance of New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Farm to School Program ? and the funds are perhaps more important this year than in any previous year, because the need is so great. · Read the entire article.
Ag department tightens its belt by Cookson Beecher Capital Press Published 04/30/2009
The Washington State Agriculture Department will receive $4 million less than it requested from the state general fund under the 2009-11 operating budget that legislators sent to Gov. Chris Gregoire on Sunday, April 26. Based on governor-directed reductions amounting to $2.2 million, the Farm-to-School program will be scaled back, and funding will be eliminated for the "From the Heart of Washington" marketing campaign and grants for market promotion, fighting trade barriers and the wine commission. · Read the entire article.
Organic Wednesdays start at valley schools Press Banner Published 04/30/2009
Carrots, cucumbers, lettuce and a host of other fresh organic vegetables from the Shumei Farm in Bonny Doon will be part of elementary school lunches on Wednesdays for the remainder of the school year in San Lorenzo Valley. · Read the entire article.
Organizers Work to Expand Food Program WEAU 13 News Published 04/29/2009
State agriculture workers are trying to expand a program that brings local produce to schools in Wisconsin. Nine communities are participating in the Farm to School program; including Eau Claire, Prairie du Chien and Viroqua. · Read the entire article.
Green is the new black by Catherine Traywick State Press Magazine Published 04/29/2009
Washington is going green. From Michelle Obama?s White House vegetable patch to the organic ?people?s garden? that will soon span the lawn of the Department of Agriculture, our nation?s capitol has jumped aboard the sustainability bandwagon and affirmed the onset of what is now being hailed as a ?Sustainable Food Movement.? · Read the entire article.
Organizers work to expand food program by Associated Press NBC 26 Published 04/29/2009
State agriculture officials are working to expand a program that brings local produce to schools in Wisconsin. · Read the entire article.
Organizers expand food programs by Associated Press Fox 11 Published 04/29/2009
Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Lora Klenke says her agency is working with the national service organization, Americorp, to add ten more communities to the program if funding is received. Americorps helps connect local growers with school food services. Klenke says Americorp also helps organize field trips so students can meet a farmer who's supplying the food and learn how it grows. · Read the entire article.
Strawberry Day To Be Held At The NC Farmers Market NBC 17 Published 04/29/2009
Fresh North Carolina strawberries will soon be on the menu in 47 school districts across the state, when the first flats shipped through the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Farm to School program are delivered April 27. · Read the entire article.
Win tickets to Taste of the Nation The Telegraph Published 04/29/2009
Feast, along with NH.com, is giving away two pairs of tickets to the Taste of the Nation food and wine event that is taking place Wednesday, May 6, at the Radisson Center of New Hampshire in Manchester. Taste of the Nation will feature more than 45 restaurants, as well as an auction, all to benefit Share Our Strength, an organization that raises money through culinary events to be put toward making sure no child goes hungry. Local beneficiaries include the New Hampshire Food Bank, Children?s Alliance of New Hampshire and New Hampshire Farm to School. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School applications open until May 25 by Danielle Kaeding Wisconsin Public Radio Published 04/28/2009
One state agency is working with national service organization Americorps to help communities bring local foods to Wisconsin schools. Organizers hope to expand the service. Nine Wisconsin communities joined the Farm to School program last year, including Eau Claire, Prairie du Chien and Viroqua. · Read the entire article.
Forsyth School is part of a national trend by Georgina Gustin ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH Published 04/27/2009
Forsyth, on Wydown Boulevard near Forest Park, is among the first schools in the state to launch such a farm-to-school lunch program ? part of a national movement to bring fresher food into school cafeterias by tapping regional farmers and boosting rural economies at the same time. · Read the entire article.
There's a race in the Whitehall school board election White Lake Beacon Published 04/27/2009
Challenging them for the two four-year seats on the board is Kimon Kotos, who was the Democratic candidate for the 2nd Congressional District in 2004 and 2006. Kotos has been deeply involved in farmers unions nationally and in Michigan, has been active in the Democratic Party in California and has been involved in the Muskegon Area Sustainability Coalition and the Muskegon Farm to School program. · Read the entire article.
Study of wetland pastures launched on Lopez Island Islands Weekly Published 04/27/2009
Students in the Lopez Farm-to-School program will visit field stations and learn about the study as well. · Read the entire article.
Reconnecting Schools to Real Food by Tom French YES! Magazine Published 04/27/2009
Chef Tom French, director of the Experience Food Project, has a broad vision of a new school food system that provides students with healthy food, reconnects them with the source of their meals, and builds bridges between the classroom and the kitchen. · Read the entire article.
Session's focus: Locally based economy by Eric Gaertner Muskegon Chronicle Published 04/25/2009
"Coming Home: E.F. Schumacher & the Reinvention of the Local Economy," a film by Montague filmmaker Chris Bedford, takes a look at the strategies designed by the E.F. Schumacher Society for communities to reinvest in themselves. Bedford is president of a local organic foods market, an organizer of the local group involved in the local farm-to-school program and runs the Center for Economic Security. · Read the entire article.
From Field to Plate: Farm to School Programs Take Root by Tim Weldon State News - The Council of State Governments Published 04/24/2009
Farm to School article in State News, a publication of The Council of State Governments, Vol. 52, No.4, April 2009 · Read the entire article.
Spring crops up at South Burlington development by Joel Banner Baird Burlington Free Press Published 04/24/2009
A young veteran of the Intervale Center Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and coordinator of Burlington's farm-to-school produce program, Young said developments such as South Village might offer more young Vermonters a chance to dig in. He's already signed up 23 of 30 subscribers needed for the South Village CSA this season. Does he think there's a future in farm-bound communities? "The best way to bring people to the table is food," he said. · Read the entire article.
Snipes Farm gives students a taste of farming by Steve Gengler The Intelligencer Published 04/24/2009
Third grade students from George Washington Elementary School in Levittown visit Snipes Farm in Morrisville as part of the farm?s new ?Farm-to-School? program in which they teach students about growing food. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School: hands-on education about food KMTR News Published 04/24/2009
Oregon's farm to school program working with 10 local farmers highlighted by local news. · Read the entire article.
WWD host 'Farm to School' event Dexter Leader Published 04/23/2009
The Western Washtenaw Democrats are sponsoring a symposium on Michigan "Farm to School" initiatives on Thursday, April 30 in the McKune Room at the Chelsea District Library. The National Farm to School program teaches students about the path from farm to fork, and instills healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime. Use of local produce in school meals and educational activities provide a new direct market for farmers in the area and mitigates environmental impacts of transporting food long distances. · Read the entire article.
Farm fresh: Nourishing a farm-to-school network by John Dunphy The Princeton Packet Published 04/22/2009
Given the option, would parents rather have their children?s school lunches come from the farmer a few miles away or from the other side of the country? Newly appointed New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher posed that question to an audience of about 200 Saturday morning at The Lawrenceville School, where the New Jersey Farm-to-School Network was holding its inaugural conference. · Read the entire article.
Cooking Up Connections ? The Northeast Region Farm to School Conference Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Published 04/20/2009
The Northeast Farm to School Conference will be held at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont on May 17 and 18, 2009. Vermont Feed Education Every Day (FEED), National Farm to School, and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture are hosting the conference entitled Cooking Up Connections! · Read the entire article.
Harwood wins farm to school grant by Celia Cadwell The Valley Reporter Published 04/16/2009
In place of junk food, a large emphasis has been placed on selling local products and lunches. Starting in the 2007-2008 school year, once a month there was a localvore day, where the hot lunch being served consisted entirely of local produce. This past summer, the cafeteria itself was repainted, creating a more comfortable environment for students and teachers alike. · Read the entire article.
Edible Change is Enticing at 4th Annual Food Policy Summit by Lynn Peemoeller Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Published 04/16/2009
In its fourth year the summit Edible Change! Building Networks for Policy Action, hosted by the Chicago Food Policy Advisory Council (CFPAC) reached full capacity bringing together over 250 people from the Chicago area and around the region with amazing diversity of geography, ethnicity, and age to talk, learn, and share stories about food. And who doesn?t like to talk about food? · Read the entire article.
Deb Eschmeyer trying to get locally grown food into school cafeterias by Nancy Allen The Daily Standard Published 04/14/2009
Eschmeyer explains how the time is ripe to restore the connections between children, food, land, and community. · Read the entire article.
Schools cut budget by $600K by Hannah Guzik Ashland Daily Tidings Published 04/14/2009
Ashland school board members slashed $600,000 from the district's budget for next year but voted to preserve popular sports programs and an auto shop class at their Monday night meeting. The board also decided not to outsource all cafeteria operations next year, and instead chose to keep the existing structure, which uses outside managers and district workers. Board members hope that by the fall of 2010, the district can completely run its own food service program. If the district were to run its own food service program, it would likely be able to make better use of Ashland's Farm to School Program, she said. The state-sponsored program allows students to eat locally grown food in district cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School hopes to make grade by Susan Morse Seacoast Online Published 04/12/2009
Farm to School, a program to serve fresh local vegetables in student cafeterias, seems like such a no-brainer of an idea it's a wonder the practice hasn't been widespread for years. · Read the entire article.
Food for Everyone :: Resource Guide by Anna Stern World Change Cafe Published 04/11/2009
People across the country and throughout the world are realizing that to confront the climate crisis and create secure and healthy communities, we?ll need vibrant regional food systems. National Farm to School Network brings healthy food from local farms to school children nationwide. Learn more about programs in your state at http://www.farmtoschool.org/ · Read the entire article.
LaDuke, son talk to lawmakers on farm-to-school program DL-Online Published 04/10/2009
Gwekaanimad Gasco, a third grader at the Pine Point School, testified at the state capital on March 27. The state legislature is considering support for community based agriculture initiatives, local foods and farm to school programs in a bill sponsored by Karen Clark and forwarded to the full omnibus finance bill for addition. Gasco is one of 75 children at the Pine Point School, which has one of the first farm-to-school programs in the country, and is becoming a regional model of community innovation. · Read the entire article.
Food for thought by Cindy Ross The Baltimore Sun Published 04/10/2009
I once read a startling account in Barbara Kingsolver's book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, about a youngster who was intrigued with his neighbor's harvest. As he dug in the garden, the neighbor asked, "Which vegetable, other than a carrot, would be considered a root vegetable?" The kid answered, "Spaghetti?" As startling as this answer is, I know of another child who thought that milk was cow's urine. It is disturbing to realize how ignorant some children are about their food. The Farm to School program, a promising nationwide program with participants in our region, wants to change that. · Read the entire article.
School Lunch Crunch by Sarah Mirk Portland Mercury Published 04/09/2009
At a sustainable chili factory on the outskirts of Salem, several dozen school lunch ladies and local food activists are witnessing the creation of what they hope will be the cafeteria food of the future. Forget meatloaf trucked in from 1,000 miles away. That state investment of roughly $20 million over two years will create over $108 million in economic activity for Oregon's farms and 477 jobs. · Read the entire article.
Meeting seeks to bring local farm-fresh produce to York schools by Susan Morse Seacoast Online Published 04/08/2009
Four local farmers attended a meeting Monday to find out how to get their produce into York and Kittery schools. Doris Demers, the nutrition director for the schools, held the meeting before an estimated half dozen people in the York Middle School cafeteria. Demers wants to get more fresh local vegetables into school lunches. Local farmers want to sell more produce. · Read the entire article.
House committee sees farm to school bill as a priority The Hillsboro Argus Published 04/07/2009
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Local Food presentation and Rescue Party performance during ASC EARTH Week Adams State College Published 04/07/2009
"Heart and Soil" was voted one of the top ten favorite films in Santa Fe. "The film takes us on a journey into the rich landscape and lives of farmers in the southwest and into the bustling energy of farmer's markets and farm to school programs. · Read the entire article.
Using local produce a healthy alternative for students, farmers Greeley Tribune Published 04/07/2009
Weld County is one of the biggest agriculture producers in the nation. That?s why it makes sense to us that some of that locally grown produce ends up on lunch trays at our schools. We are happy District 6 has taken a lead on the Farm-to-School program, and we hope more local producers will participate. It?s good for kids, it?s good for business and it?s certainly good for Weld County. · Read the entire article.
Schools reap fruits of vegetable labor by Bill Jackson Greeley Tribune Published 04/05/2009
Come next August, students in Greeley-Evans schools will likely have a little more home-grown goodness in their school lunches. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-school programs connect school meals with local agriculture Packet Online Published 04/03/2009
A network of some 30 groups from around New Jersey, including chefs, food service professionals, parents, teachers, farmers, food access advocates, the state Department of Agriculture and Rutgers Cooperative Extension, are teaming up to present the state?s first-ever New Jersey Farm-to-School Conference on Saturday, April 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Lawrenceville School in Lawrence. · Read the entire article.
Oregon farmers' markets find a new customer: schools Bend Weekly Published 04/03/2009
The farmers' market has proven to be a great place to find and purchase fresh, local food. For the same reason, it offers a connection between Oregon schools and local growers who can supply food that may eventually reach kids throughout the state. With the start of this year's farmers' market season, some school districts are looking to locate local food items this spring and the farms that produce them. · Read the entire article.
Buy Locally, Eat At School by Dennis Newman Natural Oregon Published 04/02/2009
With all the healthy food grown on Oregon farms, why doesn?t more of it go to feed Oregon school kids? After all, locally grown food is usually fresher, more nutritious, and farmers could use the extra business. Putting those two goals together is the idea behind House Bill 2800, which expands Oregon?s Farm-To-School program. The bill adds another $22 million into the pot of money schools can spend on lunch programs. That comes to about 15 cents a meal more for lunches, 7 cents more for a breakfast. · Read the entire article.
Students aid in flood efforts by Jerry Ness The Daily Journal Published 04/01/2009
The Chamber Orchestra played a selection of classical and more modern pieces in an hour-long performance after a community feast. The lunch, which followed a blessing by Mike Swan, featured ?Indian Tacos? with local organic buffalo meat, tomatoes and lettuce. The lunch is part of the Pine Point School?s nationally recognized Farm-to-School Program. · Read the entire article.
Task force calls for a slimmer Oregon by Brad Cain KVAL Published 03/31/2009
A state task force is calling for spending $3.5 million to restore daily physical education in Oregon schools to combat "alarming" rates of obesity. · Read the entire article.
Rhode Island: Healthy Youth For Healthy Future Emax Health Published 03/31/2009
Kids First is helping to improve the nutritional and physical well being of children through educational workshops for teachers and parents and after-school programs for kids. Through its Rhode Island Farm to School project, Kids First is also helping school districts buy locally grown foods to serve in school meals. · Read the entire article.
Rural Leaders Accomplishments Recognized by the Department of Commerce by Associated Press Midlands Connect Published 03/31/2009
The Individual Initiative Award recognizes an individual or individuals who have demonstrated a pioneering spirit, creativity and resourceful solutions that have challenged his or her community. This year?s recipient is Brandon Grace, manager of the Anderson County Farmers Market and current president of the S.C. Farmers Market Association. Grace has used his passion to promote sustainable agriculture/best practices programs across the state. Grace has also been instrumental in developing and promoting ?Farm to School? programs in order to educate young people about the cultivation of locally grown produce and their nutritional value, as well as economic impact on the local economy. · Read the entire article.
Study: Farm-to-school money boosts economy by Mateusz Perkowski Capital Press Published 03/26/2009
An analysis by proponents of farm-to-school lunch programs indicates that money spent on local food has positive implications beyond the cafeteria. Preliminary results show that each dollar of the $66,200 invested so far actually amounted to about $1.87 in economic activity. · Read the entire article.
Healthful Food by Diane Rehm The Diane Rehm Show Published 03/26/2009
Baltimore schools nutrition director Tony Geraci was on The Diane Rehm Show as part of a panel on sustainable food and Michelle Obama's vegetable garden. He talked about the city schools' 33-acre organic farm, where schools can have their own gardens, as well as plans for "farm to fork" vocational programs and three kid-run cafes. He said more than 1,000 Maryland farmers responded to an RFP to serve locally grown produce in city schools, and the city is trying to identify plots of land for urban agriculture projects. · Read the entire article.
A shorter food chain has many benefits by Meredith Ford Goldman Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published 03/26/2009
After attending an upbeat, informative session on starting a farm-to-school program and a brilliant lecture by writer Dan Imnoff on the state of the U.S. food system, I realized we still have a war effort when it comes to the foods we eat. · Read the entire article.
Locally Grown Benefit Concert 2009 by Tyler Suchman The Ojai Post Published 03/26/2009
As in years past, proceeds benefit Food for Thought?s farm-to-school program, which educates children about healthy food choices, where their food comes from, and the importance of good environmental stewardship. Food For Thought?s programs are in six of the seven schools of the Ojai Unified School District. · Read the entire article.
Study: Local Purchasing Pays Dividends Food Management Published 03/26/2009
A recent economic impact analysis indicates that Oregon?s investment in purchasing locally produced foods for school lunchrooms fortifies the state?s economy with dollars previously spent elsewhere. The study by Ecotrust examines the impact of investing school food dollars in the local food economy and was released as part of a review of the local buying practices currently underway in two public school districts in Oregon, Gervais and Portland. · Read the entire article.
Where Policy Grows by Jane Black Washington Post Published 03/25/2009
Take the school lunch program, which Congress will review this year. Food activists have long argued that more fruits and vegetables from local producers should be included to help improve childhood nutrition. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-School Programs Promoted as Economically Beneficial by Isabel Cowles Finding Dulcinea Published 03/25/2009
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Agriculture Week brings Va. food to Goochland schools by Ken Odor The Goochland Gazette Published 03/25/2009
What can you do with five bushels of sweet potatoes? Well, you can feed them to 2,400 county public students, that?s what. Of course, there were other items on the menu for lunch last Wednesday, but one item at all county schools was sweet potatoes grown right here in Virginia. The lunch was the kick-off for Goochland?s participation in VDACS? Farm to School program. The goal of Farm to School is to bring nutritious fresh food from local farms to schools, including K-12, colleges and universities. · Read the entire article.
Halton Region to host Food Forum by Anna Larson Halton News Published 03/25/2009
The Halton Region Health Department will host a Food Forum on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Country Heritage Park to begin a community discussion around food issues and community food security in Halton Region. · Read the entire article.
Rural agricultural forum tackles local buying by Shannon Sollinger Loudoun Times Published 03/24/2009
Matt Benson, with the Virginia Cooperative Extension in Warrenton, talked about opportunities for local farmers through the Farm to School Program. The program aims to to get local food into public and private school cafeterias from kindergarten through college. Farm to school delivery, Benson said, gets more nutritious food to the students, and it's good for the farmers. · Read the entire article.
Gardening Grows More than Flowers and Food by Dr. Nedley Nedley Health Report Published 03/23/2009
Getting youngsters to eat what they grow is only one of the benefits attributed to the gardening programs springing up around the country. Leaders of programs such as the ?Edible Schoolyard? in California and ?National Farm-to-School Program? report positive benefit in a wide range of characteristics among youth, including improved environmental attitudes, community spirit, social skills, self-confidence, leadership skills, volunteerism, motor skills, scholastic achievement, and nutritional attitudes. · Read the entire article.
Rep. Clem to receive farm-to-school honor Statesman Journal Published 03/20/2009
Rep. Brian Clem, D-Salem, will receive an award for his leadership in moving local food to schools in Oregon at the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Portland on Thursday. · Read the entire article.
Rep. Clem to receive farm-to-school honor by Beth Casper Statesman Journal Published 03/20/2009
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Local Lunch by Radio program with guests Cory Schreiber, Rep. Brian Clem, Kristy Obbink, and Guy Jaeger Oregon Public Broadcasting, Think Out Loud Published 03/20/2009
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Local Gardeners Praise White House Kitchen Garden by Lynne Terry Oregonian Published 03/20/2009
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Rural ag forum tackles local buying by Shannon Sollinger Fauquier Weekend Published 03/20/2009
Farmers are growing crops. Ranchers are raising beef and lamb. Shoppers are buying food. But they are not buying locally in great numbers. The fifth annual Forum for Rural Innovation, held March 13 in Winchester, focused on how to get the local buyer and the local farmer together. · Read the entire article.
Best of Monterey County ?09 Monterey County Weekly Published 03/19/2009
When the Otter Bay Café opened on campus in the mid-1990s, it was similar to most institutional dining halls ? the veggies were overcooked and, despite our unsurpassable local agricultural credentials, there was not a single local piece of produce on the menu. But today, thanks in large part to the Café?s association with the Monterey County Farm to School Partnership, the Sodexo-run Otter Bay Café has a lunchtime organic salad bar buffet featuring a wide-range of local veggies from Earthbound Farm, all for $5.25. · Read the entire article.
Match Made On Earth by Dale Rodebaugh Durango Herald Published 03/19/2009
The Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado has become a matchmaker of sorts. These aren't liaisons of the heart, but the introduction of owners of fallow but tillable land and growers who want to practice agriculture but don't have acreage. "One of the obstacles that we face as we try to rebuild our local food system is that we sometimes don't have enough local production to meet demand," said Jim Dyer, a SASCO board member and director of its Farm to School program, one goal of which is to provide salads for school cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
Obama Stimulus Targets Fresh, Local Food by Diane Conners Great Lakes Bulletin News Service Published 03/19/2009
The Obama administration?s stimulus package has good news for schools that need new kitchen equipment but can?t afford it: They might get some federal money to buy some of that equipment, as long as they are quick on the draw. · Read the entire article.
Eagle Rock's 'Action Research Institute by Jeremy Rosenberg KCET Local Published 03/19/2009
One of UEPI's many Centers & Projects is the Center for Food & Justice. Some of those projects include: Farm to School, Farm to Hospital, and the Healthy School Food Coalition -- each as straightforwardly named as Eagle Rock itself. · Read the entire article.
Farm to Cafeteria KUOW 94.9FM Published 03/18/2009
School lunch. Can you smell the chicken nuggets, sloppy joes, and ambrosia salad? What if school lunch was healthy, fresh, and local instead? Straight from the farms to your kids. The "Local Farms ? Healthy Kids" bill passed the state legislature last year, but it's been hard to implement. Many schools don't even have kitchens. Today we'll check up on how the farm to school initiative is going in Washington State. · Read the entire article.
Growing knowledge: School gardens take root in Atlanta by Besha Rodell Creative Loafing Published 03/18/2009
In Ms. Wiggins' fifth-grade class at Cascade Elementary in Atlanta?s West End, it?s coming up on state testing time. The kids are weary and antsy, having spent the past few weeks enduring lessons on facts and figures to prepare for the tests that will determine, among other things, the school?s level of funding. But at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, it?s time for a different kind of lesson. On this particular Tuesday, using veggies they?ve grown themselves in the school?s courtyard garden, the kids will be making soup. · Read the entire article.
Portland Public Schools students learn how to be seasonal and regional eaters by Maureen Mackey Examiner Published 03/16/2009
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The future of food by Lois Heyman The Food Chain Published 03/16/2009
Two TV segments are available that deal with food issues. If you missed 60 Minutes? profile on CBS of Alice Waters? involvement with the Slow Food movement, here it is below. Her Edible Schoolyard is a prototype for all the work being carried forward by the Farm to School Network, and that is being discussed at the NJ conference April 18. · Read the entire article.
Small, Green And Good by Catherine Tumber Counter Currents Published 03/14/2009
One of MLUI?s highly successful programs is Farm to School, which is part of a growing nationwide movement that connects local farm products with school cafeterias. MLUI links the program to a larger state initiative based on a study showing that helping farmers sell to local supermarkets and farmers? markets could increase net farm income in Michigan by nearly 16 percent and generate up to 1,889 new jobs. · Read the entire article.
Local produce will fill Granville students' plates by Josh Jarman The Columbus Dispatch Published 03/14/2009
Granville could soon join a handful of schools across the country in bringing more farm-fresh food into its cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
Oklahoma Sustainability Network Conference by Lisa Sharp Green Together Published 03/14/2009
The Oklahoma Sustainability Network is a group of people working to make Oklahoma a more sustainable place to live. They have chapters all over Oklahoma and are still growing. · Read the entire article.
Minnesota School Food Survey by Sam Hurst Gourmet.com Published 03/13/2009
A new commitment to childhood nutrition, coupled with the re-authorization of the School Lunch Program this year, will increase the opportunity to implement a little-known provision in the Farm Bill that encourages schools to use ?local preference? to purchase fresh food from local farmers rather than relying on huge national commodity-distribution companies. It seems like a win-win proposition. What could be healthier for students or more economically sensible for farmers than connecting farmers directly to local schools? · Read the entire article.
Doom in the lunchroom by Matt Petryni Daily Emerald Published 03/12/2009
It's time to think about how schools can practice in the lunchroom what they preach in the classroom, to envision a school lunch program that is both healthy and ecologically sustainable. · Read the entire article.
Schools give N.C. sweet potato sticks a try In the Field Published 03/10/2009
Sweet potato sticks, a new item offered to schools through our Farm to School program, recently debuted in 27 school systems across the state. Wayne E. Bailey Produce in Chadbourn supplies the sweet potato sticks, which can be eaten raw with dip or prepared like French fries. · Read the entire article.
Healthier eating for the body ? and the budget by Jon Baker Pawtucket Times Published 03/07/2009
During the first of several free ?Eating Healthy on a Budget? workshops for parents and students at the Nathanael Greene Elementary School in Pawtucket, sponsored and conducted by Kids First, Inc., the Pawtucket School District?s Wellness Committee and Sodexo Food Services through a grant by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Rhode Island ? was designed to provide parents an interactive, hand-on demonstration as to how to shop for and prepare more healthy meals with Rhode Island-grown vegetables and fruits. · Read the entire article.
Yolo County women honored at annual luncheon by Crystal Lee Daily Democrat Published 03/06/2009
Six Yolo County women were honored Thursday for "Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet," the theme of the 22nd Annual Women's History Month Luncheon. · Read the entire article.
Columbia Forum discovers you are what you eat by Deeda Shroeder The Daily Astorian Published 03/05/2009
Schreiber is an award-winning chef, managing the Oregon Department of Education's Farm to School program. At his ground-breaking Portland restaurant Wildwood, Schreiber helped define what's now widely understood to be Northwest regional cuisine. After opening the restaurant 13 years ago, he established relationships with farmers to keep his larders full of fresh vegetables, fruit and herbs, a practice that's much more common today. Schreiber left Wildwood in 2007, and for the last 15 months has been focusing his effort on bringing that farm-direct approach of food purchasing to the kitchens and cafeterias of Oregon's public school system. · Read the entire article.
Parents wonder whether Madison's school lunches are healthy for kids by Mary Ellen Gabriel The Capital Times Published 03/04/2009
The "hot lunch" line snakes out the door of the multipurpose room at Franklin Elementary School. Kids dressed in snow boots and parkas file past a table where a staff member is handing out plastic-wrapped containers of hot dogs and fries, canned peaches and a cookie. Forget trays or plates. · Read the entire article.
South Carolina Debates Farm to School Measure Post and Courier Published 03/03/2009
The South Carolina legislature is debating a bill that would help schools purchase and serve produce from local farms, the Charleston Post and Courier reports. The proposed Farm to School Act would encourage schools to purchase produce from local growers, helping to ensure that the food served to students is nutritious and minimally processed and bolstering the local and regional farming economy. · Read the entire article.
Feed students S.C. fresh The Post and Courier Published 03/03/2009
Pick a vegetable for your child's lunch: a squirt of catsup on his french fries or fresh, locally grown broccoli. The Legislature is considering a bill that likely would appeal to those of us who chose broccoli. The Farm to School Act would encourage school districts to purchase locally and regionally produced foods in order to improve nutrition and strengthen local and regional farm economies. · Read the entire article.
Aubertine, Gillibrand Write Letter To Vilsack To Change USDA Ruling by Robert Harding The Albany Project Published 03/02/2009
One of the items I discussed with Sen. Darrel Aubertine during my interview with him on Friday was his joint effort with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to write a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack asking him to change a USDA ruling that would allow fresh fruits and vegetables grown locally to be allowed into local schools. · Read the entire article.
School Garden Raising: A school looks beyond funding to realize their dream by Suzanne Welander Natural Awakenings Published 03/01/2009
Read how one school with no financial resources created an edible garden with the help of their community. · Read the entire article.
Former HCC café manager to represent school at conference Haywood County News Published 02/27/2009
The conference, ?Going the Distance and Shortening it, From Farm to Cafeteria,? will explore the challenges and opportunities that come with the success of the movement and explore growers? efforts to increase the supply of farm products to meet increasing demand. Farm to Cafeteria has gone the distance in the last decade, with the number of farm to school programs exploding?from a handful of programs in the late 1990s to more than 2,000 today. There are 40 states with operational programs. · Read the entire article.
Farmers want school customers Education Report Published 02/27/2009
Farmers in southeast Michigan are looking for ways to sell their food to local schools, prisons and hospitals, according to The (Adrian) Daily Telegram, with some turning for help to a five-county government program called the Food System Economic Partnership. · Read the entire article.
Crabtree Farms Workshop Educates New Community Garden Groups Chattanoogan Published 02/27/2009
Crabtree Farms held a community garden start-up workshop entitled ?From the Ground Up? this month, training seven new community garden groups on how to start and run a successful community garden. · Read the entire article.
Aubertine, Gillibrand Fighting for New York Farmers NewzJunky Published 02/27/2009
The 2008 Farm Bill through the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program authorizes schools to buy local produce that has not been processed for students to eat outside of school cafeteria programs. For convenience, the program operates best when this local produce has been washed, sliced and bagged, since it is eaten outside of the lunchroom. · Read the entire article.
Local food program draws national interest by Oka Hutchins Mount Desert Islander Published 02/27/2009
The concept of school ?hot lunch? does not usually bring to mind images of creative, flavorful food made with fresh local produce. Take a trip to the Mustang Café at the Mount Desert Elementary School in Northeast Harbor, however, and that?s exactly what you?ll find. · Read the entire article.
Food, farm jobs filled Mount Desert Islander Published 02/27/2009
College of the Atlantic recently hired Heather Albert-Knopp and Alyssa Mack to support its commitment to local and global studies in food systems and organic agriculture. · Read the entire article.
Advocates brief Congress on food program by Ben Goad The Press Enterprise Published 02/26/2009
Rodney Taylor traveled thousands of miles this week so that the fruits and veggies headed to school cafeterias around the country wouldn't have to. Taylor, nutrition services director for the Riverside Unified School District, helped pioneer a national program that supports the use of produce from local farms on school menus. On Thursday, he and other advocates of the Farm to School Network gave a congressional briefing in Washington in hopes of finding federal funds to expand the program. · Read the entire article.
Federal Funds to Help Local Highways by Loren Undseth Review Messenger Published 02/25/2009
The nutrition program also supports the Fare-for-All food program which provides discounted commodity food to anyone. The program is also trying to start a farm-to-school program which would facilitate farmers selling directly to local schools. · Read the entire article.
Senator Aubertine Appointed Chair of Legislative Commission on Rural Resources News LI Published 02/25/2009
Farm to Fork: This Commission will promote programs which build bridges between our state?s farmers and organizations, such as schools, colleges, nursing homes and correctional facilities. This opens up new markets for our state?s agriculture industry and provides healthy, local food for these organizations. · Read the entire article.
'The Amazing Food Detective' sends kids a fun message about healthy eating by Marty Hughley The Oregonian Published 02/24/2009
Meanwhile, Farm to School, another national program administered here through Portland Public Schools, aims to increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables served in school meals. · Read the entire article.
Five-county partnership works to get local crops into local markets by Erik Gable The Daily Telegram Published 02/24/2009
A partnership between government and industry leaders in five counties is trying to find new markets for southeast Michigan crops by making connections between local farmers and local customers such as restaurants and school cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
Small, Green and Good: The role of neglected cities in a sustainable future by Catherine Tumber Post Carbon Cities Published 02/23/2009
One of MLUI?s highly successful programs is Farm to School, which is part of a growing nationwide movement that connects local farm products with school cafeterias. MLUI links the program to a larger state initiative based on a study showing that helping farmers sell to local supermarkets and farmers? markets could increase net farm income in Michigan by nearly 16 percent and generate up to 1,889 new jobs. · Read the entire article.
Property tax relief battle begins Plattsmouth Journal Published 02/23/2009
LB 130 (Dubas) - Creates the Farm to School Program Task Force. Awaiting action by the Agriculture Committee. Support. · Read the entire article.
New School Chef Touts Farm Fresh Menu by Melody Simmons WYPR Published 02/23/2009
hen city schools open next week, there will be a fresh peach waiting for each of Baltimore's 82-thousand students. The fruit will be trucked in from a rural farm in Carroll County. It will usher in a new culinary era in the public schools that will highlight a move to fresh, local specialties, including crab soup. · Read the entire article.
PTA Council Seeks Support For Healthy School Initiatives by Victoria Scott Evanston Round Table Published 02/18/2009
Farm-to-school programs - where schools receive locally grown produce to use in preparing their meals - could reduce the cost of school lunches as well as improve nutrition, said JLTF chair Bob Heuer. He added that State representative Julie Hamos plans to propose legislation later this month that would make locally-sourced fruits and vegetables and other food products more readily available for institutional markets like school-meal programs. Illinois consumers spend $48 billion a year on food. Even though Illinois is an agricultural state, 95 percent of its food comes from outside the state's borders, traveling an average of 1,500 miles to get here. According to the draft resolution, there are already 2,016 farm-to-school programs nationwide. · Read the entire article.
Bearing fruit by Michael Hohenbrink, Independence Bulletin Journal Published 02/17/2009
A unique program in the Independence Community School District is bearing fruit. Literally. ?Joe [Olsen] and I both have started our Independence Area Chapter of Farm to School,? explained Kelly Duritsa, Food Service Director. ?So far, we have 13 official members, five of those are teachers, three are growers, one is our superintendent, and the rest are enthusiastic community members.? · Read the entire article.
Plasticulture gives crops protection, cultivation Midwest Agnet Published 02/17/2009
This year the department is increasing its efforts to get plasticulture participants to sell directly to school systems. The department's Farm-to-School Coordinator Chris Kirby confirmed that increased demand for local foods has increased opportunities for small producers. Last year, the program attracted about 45 participants. This year the list already has more than 70 people. · Read the entire article.
The School Lunch Revolution by Kristen DeLeo Health News Published 02/16/2009
By spending so much time on elementary and middle school campuses, I?m privy to the world of school lunches. Yes, tater tots are still being served. Ketchup is still deemed a vegetable at some schools. Change is good?but there needs to be a revolution. · Read the entire article.
Making sense of ?fat tax' concept by Carole Estabrook The Citizen Published 02/15/2009
If the state is to have any influence on future generations, it should closely monitor and investigate the food that the state supplies for school lunches. And what items are available for purchase with food stamps. I know what I used to eat in school, and I can say that tremendous strides have been made in the last decade to promote farm to school programs, nutrition education and to encourage healthier choices. · Read the entire article.
Food activists weigh in with a wish list for Obama News-Press Published 02/14/2009
As the White House welcomes our first foodie president and a first lady who has publicly talked about buying organic produce and clearing high fructose corn syrup out of her cabinets, the Chicago culinary community is filled with hope. · Read the entire article.
Questions raised about ag consultant contract in Anderson County by Mike Ellis Independent Mail Published 02/12/2009
Baskets of strawberries await buyers at Hardy Berry Farms in Anderson in 2008. Anderson School District 5 will receive a shipment of strawberries from the farm as part of the Farm to School Program. · Read the entire article.
New Roots board members defend idea of charter school by Liz Lawyer Ithaca Journal Published 02/10/2009
Hamilton also announced that the school has received an additional $150,000 in federal grant money, approved by the SUNY board. The grant will go toward the school's Farm to School program, materials for community-based sustainability projects, co-sponsorship of a Talking Circle on Race through the Multicultural Resource Center, and renovations to make its building ADA compliant. · Read the entire article.
Web site aims to help Florida growers, schools by Ashley Bentley The Packer Published 02/10/2009
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services launched a Web site Feb. 2 meant to help connect school administrators with the state?s growers. Called the Farm to School program, the program?s goal is to get more Florida-grown produce into Florida schools by facilitating communication between the parties. · Read the entire article.
Nitty-gritty: How local food production and consumption work The Spooner Online Published 02/09/2009
The ?Building Our Local Food Economy: Nourishing Northern Wisconsin? seminar featured presentations by several in the local food system and their efforts to buy and produce food for local consumption. Diann Parker of the Spooner School District talked about the district?s Farm to School program, one of 10 programs of its kind to receive state funding. · Read the entire article.
Farm To School: A Conversation with Marion Kalb-part 3 Cooking Up A Story Published 02/09/2009
In this final segment, Marion Kalb, director of the Farm To School program, suggests practical ways to work with food service directors, and others, to bring fresh, locally produced foods, into the school cafeteria lunchroom. Kalb shares success stories of schools in different areas of the country that have offered kids fresh vegetables and fruits, demonstrating that they will develop wider tastes for these foods when given a proper chance. · Read the entire article.
?Real Food Is?? Video Contest Open for Youth Entries PA Farm News Published 02/08/2009
Students in kindergarten through college can enter the National Farm to School Program ?Real Food is?? video contest through Feb. 8. The contest is intended to inform, inspire and encourage student advocacy to connect community, food, land and physical environment through Farm-to-Cafeteria programs. The winning videos will be prominently posted on YouTube.com in the spring and the winning directors will receive $1,000 for their cafeteria projects. · Read the entire article.
A call for Obama to change school lunch policy by China Millman Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Published 02/08/2009
For now, as part of the national Farm-To-School Network, Grow Pittsburgh is lobbying for grants that would be used to renovate or bring in new equipment that would allow local food into the school system. · Read the entire article.
Local news in brief by Chronicle Staff Bozeman Daily Chronicle Published 02/08/2009
Kyle Unland will talk about ?Accessing Healthy Foods? at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Bozeman Public Library?s conference room. Unland is director of Washington?s nutrition, physical activity and obesity prevention program. His presentation will cover farm-to-school programs, restaurant nutrient labeling, bringing produce to rural areas, and food environments and how they impact community, school and worksite health. The program is free and open to the public. For information call Ninia Baehr, director of Montana nutrition and physical activity program, at 994-5686. · Read the entire article.
Dover school wins state grant by Howard Weiss Brattleboro Reformer Published 02/07/2009
The garden program at the Dover Elementary School is going to grow this year thanks to a Farm to School grant that was given out recently. The Dover school was one of 11 in the state to win the grant, which is awarded through a joint partnership of the Agency of Agriculture, the health and education departments and Vermont Food Education Every Day. · Read the entire article.
Local Greens Go to Local Schools by Heather Biance WCTV Published 02/06/2009
They say you are what you eat and in order to make sure students in Florida are getting a healthier start while at school, there's a new initiative that's linking local farmers with school districts. Organizers say the "Farm to School program is a win-win for everyone. · Read the entire article.
Darts & Laurels by The Alligator Editorial Board The Independent Florida Alligator Published 02/06/2009
As students in cafeterias statewide continue to devour sugar?laden sweets, one man has emerged with a plan to clean up their diets. Under the ?Farm to School? program, school districts will have the opportunity to incorporate locally grown produce onto their current lunch menus. For helping farmers and downsizing waistlines, the Department of Darts & Laurels proudly extends a say?goodbye?to?cookies?and?chips LAUREL to Florida agricultural commissioner Charles Bronson. · Read the entire article.
School cafeterias to buy local The Gainesville Sun Published 02/05/2009
Florida's agriculture commissioner has stepped in as a matchmaker. Charles Bronson has come up with a plan to hook up school district food service programs with farmers and ranchers in their areas. · Read the entire article.
A foodie wish list for President Obama by Monica Eng Chicago Tribune Published 02/04/2009
Rochelle Davis, founding executive director of the Healthy Schools Campaign: Adequately fund school food programs "This includes increasing the federal reimbursement rate to $3.50 for lunch [it currently is $2.59], providing grants to schools for kitchen facilities that allow the preparation of healthful meals, grants for training of school-food workers, a commodity food program that supports health and support for farm-to-school programs that bring the freshest, healthiest produce to schools." · Read the entire article.
Program helps future farmers find land by Rob Chaney Missoulian Published 02/04/2009
Think of it as an agricultural dating service. Still productive, older farm acreage seeks young, vigorous farmer for long- or short-term relationship. Must enjoy outdoors, dirty fingernails and fresh food. That's the hope for Land Link Montana, a new service connecting landowners seeking land workers and vice versa. Founder Paul Hubbard said the seven-county program may preserve western Montana's agricultural heritage while boosting its local food production. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Program Santa Rosa's Press Gazette Published 02/04/2009
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today unveiled a new program to increase the amount of locally grown produce available to Florida schools. The "Farm to School" program is designed to help Florida school district food service officials locate local farmers who want to sell fresh produce directly to schools. · Read the entire article.
State sees schools as farm customers by Ed Duggan South Florida Business Journal Published 02/04/2009
The state has unveiled a new Farm to School program, which not only will increase the amount of locally grown produce available to Florida schools, but also is intended to keep more of the food dollars spent within the state. · Read the entire article.
Just say local by Diane Dryden Washburn County Register Published 02/04/2009
This Spooner School is one of the 10 pilot schools that were chosen for this project and funded through the Farm to School grant from the state. Due to the grant, both McNutly and Anderson are paid for their part-time work from the AmeriCorps Farm to School program. · Read the entire article.
Farm To School: A Conversation with Marion Kalb 2 Cooking Up A Story Published 02/04/2009
Marion Kalb continues the conversation around the Farm To School program, acknowledging that added costs for fresh foods are a challenge, but also explaining practical ways to overcome some of those obstacles. Pointing out, in some cases, the cost of fresh, locally supplied foods are less expensive than their out of state counterparts. · Read the entire article.
Florida "Farm to School" Program Foster Folly News Published 02/03/2009
Every year, Florida schools spend millions of dollars for fresh produce. The Farm to School program is intended to open the door for more of those dollars to stay within Florida. · Read the entire article.
New Push for Local Produce in School Cafeterias First Coast News Published 02/02/2009
There's a new statewide effort to get home-grown foods into school cafeterias. Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson introduced the "Farm to School" program Monday morning. It's set up to allow local school districts to do business with local farmers who want to sell fresh produce directly to schools. · Read the entire article.
Santa Rosa farmers may get school contract by Carmen Paige Pensacola News Journal Published 02/02/2009
Santa Rosa County farmers may find their products on school cafeteria tables. School Board members want farmers to supply fresh produce as much as possible. So, they may re-establish the Farm To School Program · Read the entire article.
Souper Bowl of Caring this weekend Washburn County Register Published 02/02/2009
The fundraiser is held the weekend before the Super Bowl game as a food drive and fundraiser to help eradicate hunger in the community it serves. Those working on Spooner?s event are: Americorps workers Dawn Wacek and Jamie Talbert, Farm to School Americorps workers Amber Anderson and Janine McNulty, and VISTA/Americorps worker Michelle Traxel. · Read the entire article.
Farm To School: A Conversation with Marion Kalb Cooking Up A Story Published 02/02/2009
Marion Kalb, director of the Farm to School program, part of the Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC), talks about the benefits to school kids, farmers, and rural communities when fresh, and local food is brought into the school lunch program for K-12 kids. · Read the entire article.
Turning tables on school lunches by Sharon Hong Times Union Published 02/01/2009
Frank Gillen and Briana Zeck, high school students on the youth panel, said people may think teenagers prefer junk food or fast food, but that isn't always the case. "In my history class half of the kids refuse to eat school lunch," said Zeck, a junior at Cobleskill-Richmondville. "They don't eat it because they don't know where it came from or what it went through." Zeck and Gillen said there aren't enough healthy options at school. · Read the entire article.
Conservation Hotlist by C.V.S.C. Columbia City Paper Published 01/31/2009
Farm to School Act (H.3179, Rep. Dan Cooper) PRIORITY This bill worked its way through the House and Senate without opposition last year, but failed to become law when the Senate ran out of time to vote on it at the end of session. Rep. Dan Cooper?s bill, which encourages school districts to purchase locally and regionally produced foods in order to improve child nutrition and strengthen local farm economies, will have its first hearing this year in the House Agriculture Subcommittee. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Awareness Day Celebrated Vermont Agency of Agriculture Published 01/29/2009
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Vermont Food Education Every Day (VT FEED), in partnership with the Department of Health, and the Department of Education, recently announced the recipients of the 2009 Farm to School grants at a special ceremony at the Statehouse cafeteria. This year, grants were awarded to eleven schools. · Read the entire article.
More schools will feast on fresh food The Herald Published 01/29/2009
The recipients of the 2009 Farm to School grants were announced at a special ceremony at the Statehouse cafeteria. · Read the entire article.
Students plot local action by Alex Paul Gazette-Times Published 01/29/2009
Don?t be surprised if you soon see locally grown food carrying a label created by students in Peg Cornell?s AP Environmental Science class at Crescent Valley High School. One of the year-long projects is called Farm to School, and it is part of a nationwide program through which school districts buy produce from local farmers. · Read the entire article.
A Department of All Kinds of Agriculture by Deborah J. Kane Salem-News Published 01/28/2009
As the new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack will have many proverbial rows to hoe. At his recent senate confirmation hearing, he got a small taste of just how many. · Read the entire article.
ASAP plans to launch kid-friendly version of local food guide and more by Jason Sanford Mountain Xpress Published 01/28/2009
In spring 2010, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) will launch new kid’s versions of its popular materials: the Local Food Guide and Local Food -Thousands of Miles Fresher bumper sticker. The sticker will be scaled down for a bike, and the kid sized guide will feature special contents and activities. “We want to give kids positive experiences with local food so they’ll form healthy eating habits,” says Emily Jackson of ASAP. “These fun materials—designed just for kids—make good choices appealing.” Publication of the local food bumper sticker and Local Food Guide for kids is made possible by funding from the Community Benefits Program of Mission Hospital. · Read the entire article.
Two school board members will not return by Julie French Ashland Daily Tidings Published 01/27/2009
Alexander currently serves on the farm-to-school and second language committees. She would like to continue to work on both of those projects after her term expires, she said. · Read the entire article.
Thornhill Elementary ?shining? example of program?s success Terrace Standard Published 01/27/2009
Joanne Bays, the provincial coordinator for the Farm to School initiative undertaken by the Public Health Association of BC, visited with school staff and others involved in the program as part of her road trip to the three Northwest schools with salad bars this week. · Read the entire article.
Frederick hosts Future Harvest-CASA conference by Caryl Velisek American Farm Published 01/27/2009
The 10th annual Conference of Future Harvest-CASA (Chesapeake Alliance For Sustainable Agriculture), was held Jan. 16-17 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center on what turned out to be two of the coldest days of the season so far. Also included in the two-day event were sessions on farm to school food production and producing food for hospitals, sustainable fruit, flower and vegetable production, finishing lambs on grass. grass-based pasture management and profitable grain and hay production. · Read the entire article.
Expanding local agriculture for health, healthy economy by Eva Clayton Winston-Salem Journal Published 01/25/2009
I write to ask Gov.-elect Bev Purdue and the General Assembly to take note. Building a local sustainable food economy in North Carolina can yield statewide economic development, create jobs and stop money from leaking out of the state in this time of recession. · Read the entire article.
A Department of All Kinds of Agriculture by Deborah J. Kane Oregon Live Published 01/23/2009
This year, legislators in Salem are considering a bill that would bring more Oregon-grown, -processed and -manufactured products into the public school lunchroom. Known as the "farm to school" bill, some have already assumed the legislation is intended to help small family farmers load up pickup trucks and head to schools with lovingly harvested organic broccoli. It is. The bill is also intended to support production agriculture in our state by making the school cafeteria a viable marketplace for all of Oregon agriculture. · Read the entire article.
From Farm to Fork: Building a sustainable food economy in North Carolina by Eva Clayton The Outer Banks Sentinel Published 01/23/2009
Farm-to-school programming and urban gardening is one approach to addressing obesity in children while simultaneously building a community-oriented food system. These programs utilize a wide variety of strategies geared toward increasing children's consumption of fresh, local foods while expanding market opportunities for local farmers. Win:Win. · Read the entire article.
Off Topic & Political by Sarah Hey Stand Firm Published 01/22/2009
Do you agree with the list of potential bills including: establish a Farm to School program that would foster greater use of locally grown food in schools. · Read the entire article.
Obesity Prevention Proposals Outlined The Pilot Published 01/22/2009
FirstHealth of the Carolinas has teamed up with community leaders, school personnel and medical professionals to make a difference for children in the mid-Carolinas. A Moore County proposal to pilot a farm-to-school fresh produce program to provide produce purchased directly from local farmers for three targeted schools and a day care center. Through the program, children will have access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Project planners hope that the project will highlight the value of providing locally grown foods in school cafeterias and encourage additional farm-to-school efforts. · Read the entire article.
Local food system development conference to be held in Spooner Washburn County Register Published 01/21/2009
Farmers, food system entrepreneurs and local business and government leaders are encouraged to attend Building Our Local Food Economy: Nourishing Northern Wisconsin, a local food system development conference aimed at bringing community members together to explore the increasing demand for local and organic food and the opportunities for Sustainable Community Development in Northern Wisconsin. · Read the entire article.
Farm program may sprout in Easton by Joel C. Thompson Connecticut Post Published 01/19/2009
The Board of Selectmen is evaluating the plan to return a portion of the town's Morehouse Road tract to farming activity that could include garden plots for children as well as a source of vegetables for the lunch program at town schools. "Land would be leased to interested growers, a small portion would be set aside as a student garden and an area would be designated for farm-to-school production," Tressler said. · Read the entire article.
Changing Ways by Mara Zepeda Philadelphia Weekly Published 01/19/2009
Name: Tegan Hagy Position: Mid-Atlantic Farm to School Coordinator, Food Trust Resolution: Rethink school lunches This spring Congress will reauthorize the Childhood Nutrition Act, which subsidizes school lunch programs. As it stands, each school receives $2.57 per student per lunch. About $.70 is used on food. The rest goes to salaries, benefits, cleaning fees and paper goods. And the food, Hagy explains, comes from ?the cheapest, most highly processed foods?agricultural surplus.? Hagy is out to encourage Sen. Bob Casey and his colleagues to rewrite the bill, increasing reimbursement and inserting language that indicates a preference for locally sourced food. These improvements will support underserved children and local family farmers, and put ?locavore? in the mouths of legislators. · Read the entire article.
From Farm-to-Fork: Building a sustainable food economy in N.C. by Eva Clayton Virgina/North Carolina News Published 01/19/2009
I write to ask Governor Purdue and the General Assembly to take note: Building a local sustainable food economy in North Carolina can yield statewide economic development, create jobs and stop money from leaking out of the state in this time of recession. And it comes with many additional benefits as well. · Read the entire article.
Group acts to improve life in Washington County by Steve Colhoun Bangor Daily News Published 01/16/2009
Other topics included a call for emphasis on proper nutrition, with childhood obesity cited as a major problem in Washington County, and concern over the high cancer rate. The farm-to-school program that has been implemented in some districts was noted as a valuable program. · Read the entire article.
Embrace new food rules Traverse City Record-Eagle Published 01/16/2009
Gov. Jennifer Granholm recently signed three new state laws intended to reduce complications for districts interested in buying local. The new farm-to-school initiatives removed bidding restrictions and require the state to help schools start their own programs. · Read the entire article.
Program connects farms, school by Oka Hutchins Mount Desert Islander Published 01/16/2009
Something?s cooking in the kitchen of the Mount Desert Elementary School. Students here are excited by the culinary arts and the fresh, local produce that has become the cornerstone of the school?s food service program. That excitement has led the school?s administrators to pursue a dynamic food service program that includes increased education and interaction with food and the local growers who produce it. The program fosters the connection between local growers and the student population of about 160 kids. The farm-to-school program has even landed the elementary school recognition on the ?Martha Stewart Show.? · Read the entire article.
Farm to School in Minnesota by Jean Ronnie and JoAnne Berkenkamp WCCO Radio Published 01/10/2009
Tune in for a great interview with JoAnne Berkenkamp, Program Director, Local Foods at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and Jean Ronnie, head of St. Paul nutrition services. · Read the entire article.
Mount Desert Farm to School Program by Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Published 01/09/2009
Martha Stewart takes us to Northeast Harbor, Maine, for a look at the inspiring "farm to school" lunch program of Mount Desert Elementary. · Read the entire article.
How to fight America's obesity epidemic by Richard A. Daynard and Mark Gottlieb The Boston Globe Published 01/08/2009
Public health, unlike the banking, insurance, or automobile industries, cannot be rescued or bailed out. Prevention is the only viable option. A sophisticated and aggressive federal approach to obesity is needed. Promote and fund innovative farm-to-schools and farm-to-community programs to support local farmers and increase access to locally grown food. · Read the entire article.
Farming study aims to aid ag industry by Ingrid Stegemoeller Tri-city Herald Published 01/07/2009
Food and agriculture were worth $42 billion in Washington in 2007, making them among the state's largest employers. · Read the entire article.
Buy Local Workshops Offered for Farmers, Local Foods Supporters Wisconsin Ag Connection Published 01/07/2009
Farmers, restaurant owners, food retailers, educators and others interested in supporting the growth of local foods are invited to attend one of four Buy Local workshops being held around the state. · Read the entire article.
Montana Food Efforts a Good Model for Hard Times by Rose Hayden-Smith Huffington Post Published 01/06/2009
Local food systems -- including farm-to-institution programs -- can mean real money for local farmers, local food processors and local/state economies. And the state of Montana has an excellent model for this. · Read the entire article.
Nourishing N.C.'s economy by Eva Clayton The News & Observer Published 01/05/2009
overnor-elect Beverly Purdue and the General Assembly take note: Building a local sustainable food economy in North Carolina can yield statewide economic development, create jobs and stop money from leaking out of the state in this time of recession. And it comes with many additional benefits as well. · Read the entire article.
Consumer Wellness Center Announces $1000 Nutritional Grant Award for Corvallis "Farm to School" Pr by Mike Adams Natural News Published 01/05/2009
Our second well-deserved Consumer Wellness Nutritional Grant Award is awarded to The Corvallis Environmental Center for their "Farm to School Program." "We are thrilled to support the CEC's efforts to teach schoolchildren about real food," said Mike Adams, the Executive Director of the Consumer Wellness Center and the creator of the Nutrition Grant Program. "This is the kind of activity that's needed throughout modern society to reconnect children with food and health. I hope this becomes a model of food education that's replicated throughout the nation." · Read the entire article.
Bill calls for school districts to give equal treatment to charter schools by Ron Barnett The Greenville News Published 01/04/2009
A Greenville County legislator has pre-filed a bill that would require school districts to ?not deny? a charter school ?anything that is otherwise available to a public school.? Other education-related measures that have been pre-filed would: * establish a Farm to School program that would foster greater use of locally grown food in schools. · Read the entire article.
Gardening: Neighbors can help grow healthy living by Molly Day Muskogee Phoenix Published 12/31/2008
A neighborhood can put its resources together to grow a bountiful garden of salad vegetables, flavorful melons, zucchini and winter squash to serve family and friends. · Read the entire article.
Aramark?s Cool*Caf draws kids to healthy eating by Ashley Bentley The Packer Published 12/30/2008
A new cafeteria format designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and encourage healthy choices by children is set to be introduced in hundreds of schools in 2009. · Read the entire article.
OSU taste tests grain-fed vs. grass-fed beef in Portland schools by Oregon State University Extension Service Oregon Natural Resource Report Published 12/30/2008
Children can tell the difference between grass- and grain-fed beef, but when it comes to preference, they?re evenly split, according to taste tests that Oregon State University conducted at two grade schools in Portland. Portland Public Schools asked OSU to conduct the surveys as part of its effort to serve more locally produced food. The district had been considering serving hamburger patties made from local grass-fed cattle instead of the grain-fed beef that it now serves and whose origin is unknown to the district. · Read the entire article.
Reaping the fruits of his labor by Peter Frost Daily Press Published 12/27/2008
Public schools, colleges and health care facilities also have become big customers in the last two decades, as those institutions began to demand more fresh products through initiatives like Virginia's Farm-to-School Program. · Read the entire article.
Lansing Passes a Farm-to-School Test by Diane Conners Great Lakes Bulletin News Service Published 12/26/2008
Michigan?s lawmakers and the governor just gave school children, farmers, and the state?s economy a tasty end-of-year holiday present: Legislation that supports schools? expanding efforts to buy healthy, locally grown food for cafeteria meals and snacks. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Project High Country Press Published 12/25/2008
The goal is for the community and school personnel to enthusiastically support continuing to purchase the high quality produce from local growers, and for children to enjoy produce that they may not otherwise have a chance to. · Read the entire article.
State ready to slash budget by Cookson Beecher Capital Press Published 12/24/2008
The Agriculture Department, which would have a $129.6 million budget, would see a 12 percent cut in the money coming from the state's General Fund. The proposed cuts include: ? One of the 2.5 positions in the new farm-to-school program. · Read the entire article.
What's on Santa's Plate? by Diane Gale Andreassi Ann Arbor News Published 12/24/2008
Sara Aeschbach, Ann Arbor School District director of community education and recreation, will treat Santa to locally grown foods. The district has a Farm to School program that helps teach kids about the food system by nudging them to ponder where food comes from; promote healthy eating and encourage them to try new foods. · Read the entire article.
Hilltop School students give healthy snacks rave reviews by Jennifer Keefe Foster's Daily Democrat Published 12/23/2008
If the phrase, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," is true, the students at Hilltop School just might put the medical industry out of business. The fresh fruits and vegetables program, or FFVP, is a new opportunity awarded through a $10,000 grant from the N.H. Department of Education Division of Program Support, Bureau on Nutrition Programs and Services. The program offers students the opportunity to try one new healthy snack each day. · Read the entire article.
Bill to add $22M to school lunches by Erin Mills The East Oregonian Published 12/20/2008
Farm to School initiative aiming to put Oregon food in Oregon schools. Known so far as the 2009 Farm to School bill, it asks the legislature to spend $22 million to supplement school lunch programs. The bill would add 15 cents toward every lunch and 7 cents toward every breakfast that is served in Oregon public schools. The catch is that schools who wish to participate in the program must use the money to purchase Oregon-produced food. Furthermore, in order to qualify for the extra 15 or 7 cents, schools must prove they are spending an equal amount of national school food program funds on Oregon foods. · Read the entire article.
Tri-district school boards create committee to review, improve school lunches by Laura Modlin Easton Courier Published 12/19/2008
The tri-district board of education has created an ad hoc committee to review and improve the quality of the lunches served in Easton and Redding schools, as well as to seek ways to incorporate more locally grown foods into those meals. The committee was created in response to parental concerns about where the food their children eat in school comes from, and how that can affect a school meal?s overall quality and nutritional value. · Read the entire article.
Senator Whipple's Richmond Report by Mary Margaret Whipple Falls Church News-Press Published 12/18/2008
Farm-to-school programs that provide locally-grown fruits and vegetables for school lunches; healthy snacks, juices and water in vending machines; nutrition classes in the community; menu labeling; and more were suggested. And we can each do our part. · Read the entire article.
Let by Sierra Club Santa Lucia Chapter New Times Published 12/18/2008
According to Frances Moore Lappe, author of Diet for a Small Planet, ?A study of 57 countries with about 13 million farmers has shown 50 to 100 percent increases in yields where farmers are using local resources and organic sustainable methods.? Sounds good to us. Let?s put the policies in place that will give us that kind of food security. · Read the entire article.
Mr. Diabetes(R) Completes 10,000+ Mile Walk of U.S. Perimeter by Defeat Diabetes Foundation The Earth Times Published 12/18/2008
Programs that focus on diabetes, nutrition and obesity are critical. Access to healthy food through farmer's markets, community and school gardens, farm-to-school programs and food cooperatives are just a few of the components to reducing the rates of diabetes. · Read the entire article.
Locavore: A Word to Live By by Gwen Roland Mother Earth News Published 12/18/2008
I don?t know what the word of the year will be for 2008, but for those of us who know the satisfaction of eating food grown within hollering distance of our kitchens, locavore is good enough to live by for another year. · Read the entire article.
H.G. Hill Middle School benefits from food grant funding by Lea Ann Overstreet Allen The Tennessean Published 12/17/2008
Several local schools and community groups recently received $2,650 in grant funding from Food Security Partners of Middle Tennessee to increase the amount of healthy food available to them. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-school lunch organizer sees benefits for all by Eric Gaertner Muskegon Chronicle Published 12/15/2008
If we could actually have a food system that had fresh, healthy, local food here grown by local farmers for our kids, it would result in many, many positives. The first of which, all that money that was spent on those 417,000 lunches could go to local farmers and local food providers. · Read the entire article.
Easton studying farm-fresh school menus by Joel C. Thompson Connecticut Post Published 12/15/2008
A new committee, established to oversee the bidding process for a lunch provider in the Easton and Redding schools, also will explore whether fresh foods from some of the region's farms can be added to school lunch menus. The Easton, Redding and Region 9 school boards at their annual joint meeting last week agreed to set up the committee both to manage the bidding process for the lunch contract and to address the "farm-to-school" issue that has arisen among parents in both towns. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School: Students eating fresh produce grown locally by Autumn Grooms LaCrosse Tribune Published 12/14/2008
The Viroqua School District has developed a program that channels locally grown fruits and vegetables into the cafeterias. Farm to School started this year in Viroqua and is part of a rising trend nationwide. Some districts dabble with school gardens and orchards, while others partner with local farmers or ranchers for food. The Wisconsin State AmeriCorps, meanwhile, awarded Vernon and Crawford counties resources to start Farm to School programs. · Read the entire article.
Blue Cross Foundation Awards $660,000 in Grants to Improve Community Health Market Watch Published 12/12/2008
White Earth Land Recovery Project, Callaway, Minn., $60,000 for the Farm to School project on the White Earth Reservation, protecting the health of children by addressing pesticide contamination issues, promoting reservation-wide strategies to reduce environmental pollution, increasing the consumption of fresh locally grown and organic foods, and strengthening the local economy. · Read the entire article.
A reach for local foods by Michael White The News-Review Published 12/11/2008
Farmers, state officials, food distributors and school food directors huddled last week in U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer's Long Island offices to craft a plan for offering locally grown produce in New York schools. · Read the entire article.
What?s for lunch? Less junk by Christian Gaston Pamplin Media Group Published 12/11/2008
Grant helps Portland Public Schools feed kids more local food. Kristy Obbink, director of nutrition services at PPS, says that the district?s Harvest of the Month and Local Lunch programs, which put farm-fresh produce on cafeteria plates twice a month, has her questioning the assumption that kids won?t eat healthy foods. It turns out students kind of like parsnips. · Read the entire article.
Weak economy puts more kids in line for free meals, report says CNN Published 12/11/2008
The sagging economy is taking a bite out of federal school-meal subsidies as more students take advantage of free or low-price breakfasts and lunches, nutritionists say in a report released Thursday. About 425,000 more students are participating in the National School Lunch Program, a group reports. The School Nutrition Association surveyed more than 130 school nutrition directors from 38 states to produce its report, "Saved by the Lunch Bell: As Economy Sinks, School Nutrition Program Participation Rises." · Read the entire article.
New broccoli fans keen for green by Matt Neznanski Gazette-Times Published 12/10/2008
How do you know you?ve got great broccoli? Elementary school children come back for seconds. Or thirds. Wednesday?s effort was the third tasting table set up by the Corvallis Environmental Center?s Farm to School program, designed to increase the amount of locally grown foods served in school cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
Haywood Community College Serves Student-Grown Produce by Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project Haywood Published 12/10/2008
This spring, the greens served in Haywood Community College's cafeteria couldn't have been more local-they were grown at the college. · Read the entire article.
Schools take part in Farm to School fundraiser Montana's News Station Published 12/09/2008
Rather than pedaling cookies and candy to friends and family, students from two area schools are trying to raise money by selling healthy, Montana-made food products. The Farm to School fundraiser is a pilot program sponsored by Montana Team Nutrition Program of MSU as a way to support schools in implementing their school wellness policy and support Farm to School Programs. · Read the entire article.
WSDA?s Farm-to-school workshop Thursday by Ingrid Stegemoeller Tri-City Herald Published 12/09/2008
A day-long workshop Thursday, Dec.11, will launch the Washington State Department of Agriculture?s new Farm-to-School program and aims to build connections between growers and schools. The free workshop is 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Puyallup, with video conferencing available at Washington State University Extension offices, including Kennewick. · Read the entire article.
Willmar Model brings kids local foods Minn Post Published 12/08/2008
Youngsters in the Willmar, Minn., school district are like kids everywhere: they love sweet corn and slices of apples and don't care so much for squash. The difference for these students is that the corn, apples, squash and even fresh bison comes from farms and orchards in Kandiyohi County and the surrounding areas. The Willmar Model, as it is called, is an ambitious attempt at a farm-to-school program in Minnesota, part of a national movement to get children to eat healthy, locally grown foods while helping nearby producers find new markets. · Read the entire article.
New Law Will Increase Fresh, Local Foods in Schools Michigan House Democrats Published 12/08/2008
State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) praised a bipartisan plan signed into law today that creates farm-to-school initiatives to help make fresh, locally grown foods available in school cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
WSDA Farm-to-School workshop will improve kids? access to healthy Washington foods by Jason Kelly Washington State Department of Agriculture Published 12/08/2008
Washington State Department of Agriculture?s (WSDA) new Farm-to-School Program launches this week with a free, all-day workshop on building successful farm-to-school connections in local communities. · Read the entire article.
Farm income seen holding steady by Ted Shelsby The Baltimore Sun Published 12/07/2008
The 2009 conference of Future Harvest-CASA, considered one of the more comprehensive annual sustainable agriculture discussions in the Mid-Atlantic region, will be held Jan. 16 -17. · Read the entire article.
New guide links farms, schools by Richard Roth The Independent Published 12/06/2008
A Farm to School Guide and Directory for the Hudson-Mohawk area is now available online from Cornell Cooperative Extension. The guide offers assistance to school food service directors interested in buying local food, and to farmers who want to expand local markets. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-school workshops slated by Cookson Beecher Capital Press Published 12/05/2008
Washington state Extension agents and other ag professionals are invited to attend a workshop about farm-to-school connections. The workshop will provide information about how to help growers expand their local markets and provide access to more fresh foods for school children. The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at the D.F. Allmendinger Center at the Washington State University research center in Puyallup. · Read the entire article.
Choices 4 Health at work to promote healthy living Oakville Beaver Published 12/05/2008
These will include a Farm to School program to promote eating more local fresh fruit and vegetables · Read the entire article.
What?s for lunch? by Chloe Johnson The Wire Published 12/04/2008
One Seacoast middle school lunch menu lists hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets and, once a week, pizza. While these entrees are sometimes supplemented with celery sticks or peas and carrots, some parents and educators want to see more healthy food delivered to schools fresh from local farms. · Read the entire article.
Schumer wants local farms' produce in school cafeterias by Jennifer Sinco Kelleher News Day Published 12/04/2008
Dismayed that Long Island schools are serving students mostly processed food, Sen. Charles Schumer said yesterday he wants to see more products from local farms in New York cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
PURS to fold under limited budget by Mitch Lies Capital Press Published 12/04/2008
Recently added positions the governor proposed to fund include the department's farm-to-school and renewable energy positions - two positions at risk because of their short tenures. · Read the entire article.
Test Kitchen by Sarah Lemon Mail Tribune Published 12/03/2008
Farm-to-school program gets a tryout in Ashland School District; 'It's 'great to try something new' · Read the entire article.
OK-Farm to School programs promote proper nutrition in schools by Candice Adson Oklahoma Insider Published 12/01/2008
A program that intends to provide students with healthy foods while increasing their knowledge of nutrition and agriculture is being developed in many states, including Oklahoma. Farm to School programs allow a school to purchase fresh produce from local farmers and often incorporate nutrition lessons in the classrooms. The program is supported by both farmers looking for new markets and school advocates of health and nutrition. · Read the entire article.
Plow on The Frederick News Post Published 11/30/2008
We have a part to play, too -- by nurturing an agri-centric economy. This entails doing things like continuing to buy locally and supporting the ongoing development of initiatives like Maryland's new Farm to School program. Signed into law in May, the program helps procure local Maryland produce for school menus and promotes the Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week to support Maryland agriculture through school meal and classroom programs and interaction between students and local farmers. · Read the entire article.
Memorial held for woman who promoted agriculture Ventura County Star Published 11/26/2008
Sheri Rudd Klittich was involved in the Farm to School program, which connects local growers with the school lunch program, and the Ag Futures Alliance, where she worked to advance sustainable agriculture in the county. · Read the entire article.
Lopez Principal to retire and embark on new journey by Colleen Armstrong Islands Weekly Published 11/25/2008
Some of the major events during MacNichol?s tenure include the secondary school converting to block scheduling; developing the alternative high school program; bringing the graduation rate up to 98 percent, and the college-bound rate to 95 percent; organizing an annual middle school fall retreat at Camp Nor?Wester; helping the Farm to School program take off; and fostering a relationship with the Lopez Island Family Resource Center through the Readiness to Learn grant. · Read the entire article.
Oregon House Democrats release "Job Creation and Family Support Plan" by Carla Axtman Blue Oregon Published 11/25/2008
In a Salem press conference today, House Speaker-Designee Dave Hunt and Majority Leader Mary Nolan rolled out the Dems initial plan for job creation and family support including an increase of farm to school programs. · Read the entire article.
Seeds of change by Jill Rosen The Baltimore Sun Published 11/24/2008
Organic farm will give city school students a chance to get their hands dirty while learning about nutrition. · Read the entire article.
Harvest Festival Brings the Country To Children with Developmental Disabilities by Brooklyn Eagle Brooklyn Daily Eagle Published 11/21/2008
The sights, sounds, tastes and smells of autumn in the country were recently enjoyed by a group of students from John Bowne High School?s agriculture department and the special needs children attending Block Institute at its? 2008 Harvest Festival. · Read the entire article.
Legislation seeks to make it easier for Michigan farmers to supply school cafeterias by Beth Loechler The Grand Rapids Press Published 11/21/2008
In an effort to get more Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables onto school lunch trays, legislators have sponsored a package of bills that would make it easier for local farmers to sell to schools. · Read the entire article.
Bloomfield High students prepare menu for capitol meeting by Nancy Davis Bloomfield Journal Published 11/20/2008
When members of the Working Lands Alliance sat down for lunch recently at the state capitol, the potato leek soup on the menu had ingredients grown by students in Bloomfield High's Farm to School program. · Read the entire article.
Easton school board may ?go green? with school lunches by Laura Modlin Easton Courier Published 11/20/2008
The Easton Board of Education have set in motion two new projects that could help make the town?s schools healthier and greener. At their meeting Tuesday evening, first up on their agenda was the farm to school initiative, an effort spearheaded by Victor Alfandre, a parent of students at Samuel Staples Elementary School. · Read the entire article.
Local foods help schools improve diet by Dorothy Brayley The Newport Daily News Published 11/20/2008
Sodexo Inc., the company that provides lunches and breakfasts to the city?s public schools, agreed to support the ?Rhode Island Farm to School? program and serve homegrown Rhode Island produce, including apples, potatoes, broccoli, carrots and string beans. The company also agreed to work through a local produce company, Community Fruit, to expand the program whenever possible. · Read the entire article.
School Health Success Stories-Nevitt Forest Elementary School by South Carolina Educational Television SC ETV Published 11/20/2008
In an effort to improve student nutrition, Nevitt Forest Elementary School in Anderson, SC partners with Palmetto Agriculture Consultants, the Anderson County Farmers Market, Clemson University, and local farmers. This segment highlights the ?Grow With Me? program, which includes the use of school gardens and integration of fresh fruits and vegetables and nutrition education throughout the academic curriculum. · Read the entire article.
Halton program brings produce to local school by Tim Whitnell Burlington Post Published 11/19/2008
Halton Region wants to bring fresh, locally-grown produce into the area?s elementary schools, and it plans to do so through the Farm to School Committee. · Read the entire article.
Teach (and Feed) Your Children Well by Trista Scheuerlein Flavor Published 11/17/2008
Local food and public schools don't have to be strangers. · Read the entire article.
Healthy school lunches on the menu by Margaret Stafford San Mateo Daily Journal Published 11/17/2008
Schools ? particularly public schools ? face several obstacles before starting a farm-to-school program, advocates say. Many schools do not have the kitchen facilities or skilled labor needed to provide more than heat-and-serve meals. ?Schools often don?t see food or cafeterias as a major investment,? said Anupama Joshi, co-director of the national Farm To School network. ?It?s really sad because research has shown that the food we serve our kids can help them facilitate learning and is tied to performance.? · Read the entire article.
Good people doing great things Daily Democrat Published 11/16/2008
Yolo Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization, hosted the Yolo County Philanthropy Day Awards last week at the Heidrick Ag History Center. Ten Yolo County Nonprofits participated. Thirty-seven awards were given. · Read the entire article.
North Jersey gets local into schools? lunch rooms by Tamara Scully American Farm Published 11/15/2008
Here in New Jersey, putting ?local? on the menu of school lunches has launched lunch into fashion, as thousands of children in schools in the northern regions of the Garden State now eat locally-grown food as a regular part of every lunch. Recent school lunch nutrition efforts have focused on establishing healthy eating habits and putting those lessons to practice in school lunch lines. · Read the entire article.
What I'm Into: Katharine Monstream: Artist, mother, soccer fan by Myra Mathis-Flynn Burlington Free Press Published 11/14/2008
We are also supporting Farm to School where local farmers bring local food to our cafeterias. So we will be raffling off original paintings to support them. · Read the entire article.
Improve School Lunches with Locally Grown Food by Laura Weldon Natural News Published 11/14/2008
Connecting school lunch programs directly to local farms is good for everyone. Schools save money, farmers find nearby buyers and student health improves. · Read the entire article.
Ashland starts Farm to School program by Andrea Pettes KDRV Published 11/13/2008
The Ashland School District has partnered with the Ashland Food Co-op to teach the young kids about locally grown products. Beginning Thursday, the Farm to School Program will allow kids at Ashland schools to enjoy the same locally grown foods as Co-op customers. · Read the entire article.
Farm To School Program launches new website by Chris Kirby High Plains Journal Published 11/13/2008
The state agriculture department has created an Oklahoma Farm to School website to give schools, agricultural producers and others an inside look at its program designed to put Oklahoma foods in our school lunch programs. Located at www.okfarmtoschool.com, the website offers Oklahomans a chance to become involved with the program and learn about efforts to help schools connect with local farmers and provide children with fresh, locally grown foods. · Read the entire article.
School Garden Teach Kids by Kathryn Nichols School Garden Weekly Published 11/13/2008
New school gardens are blooming in California?s Monterey County with almost every year. Teachers and administrators are finding that the garden can be woven into just about every aspect of the curriculum, even history, cultural studies, foreign languages, and English. · Read the entire article.
Makeovers for school lunches by Doug Gruse PostStar Published 11/12/2008
Saratoga Springs and several other local schools have been working to incorporate fresh food into daily meals by seeking fruits and vegetables from local farmers. The schools are part of a growing Farm to Schools initiative nationwide. · Read the entire article.
Bistro Kids makes healthy eating main course at schools by Tammy Worth Kansas City Business Journal Published 11/12/2008
Pork enchiladas, honey mustard turkey breast and bison tacos are not typical school lunch fare. But Bistro Kids is not a typical school lunch program. Run by Chef Kiersten Firquain, Bistro Kids is the first for-profit lunch program in the area that follows the Farm to School Program, a national organization that helps connect local farmers with area schools. · Read the entire article.
OU?s use of local foods rises by Sharon Dowell News OK Published 11/11/2008
Local products make up 15 percent of all products used in the University of Oklahoma?s food service operations, and an official said that percentage is growing. "We?re moving more and more every day, going for a certain percentage,? said Dot Flowers, general manager for marketing and nutritional analysis for housing and food services at OU. "We?re hoping to reach 30 percent of what we purchase being local.? · Read the entire article.
Local, healthy eating program launches for lunch by Steve Arstad Keremeos Review Published 11/11/2008
The Public Health Association of BC launched the ?Farm to School Salad Bar? initiative last Tuesday in a two day celebration. · Read the entire article.
Oklahoma Education Briefs NewsOK Published 11/10/2008
The state Department of Agriculture has created an Oklahoma Farm to School Web site to give schools, agricultural producers and others an inside look at its program designed to put Oklahoma foods in our school lunch programs. The Web site, www.okfarmtoschool.com, offers Oklahomans a chance to become involved and learn about efforts to help schools connect with local farmers and provide the state?s children with fresh, locally grown foods. · Read the entire article.
An apple a day by Matthew Wilde WCF Courier Published 11/10/2008
Many of the youngsters ignored their bologna sandwiches, crackers and soup, and stuffed their faces with the fruit first. Some even said candy bars would play second fiddle to apples. That's music to Sue Burrack's ears. Starmont's food service coordinator said that means the district's healthy eating initiative is working, and the state's "A" is for Apple Initiative, part of the Farm to School Program, is a big part of it. · Read the entire article.
School menus freshen up by Stephen J. Hedges and Jo Napolitano Chicago Tribune Published 11/09/2008
Once the province of tater tots, reheated burgers and chocolate milk, school lunches are increasingly featuring local produce and healthy foods as administrators battle rising food prices and expanding student waistlines. A movement that began a decade ago by putting fresh produce into a few California schools is now active in 2,000 school districts in 39 states, according to the National Farm to School project. · Read the entire article.
Springport students celebrate locally grown food by Shepker Jackson Citizen Patriot Published 11/08/2008
Springport students know the sources of their food, from the grain fields that dot the rural landscape to the poultry and livestock they raise in the schoolyard. · Read the entire article.
Eastonites farm ideas for fresh food by Joel C. Thompson Connecticut Post Published 11/08/2008
Plans for a greenhouse and large vegetable garden at Staples Elementary School are on a menu of ideas being considered as ways to provide fresh produce for the school lunch program and to enrich the curriculum. · Read the entire article.
Ojai film series focuses on food, agriculture and environmental issues by Lisa McKinnon Ventura County Star Published 11/06/2008
Organized by Food for Thought Ojai, a nonprofit group devoted to implementing farm-to-school salad bars and other health-related programs, the series includes documentaries and short films that focus on food, agriculture and the environment. · Read the entire article.
Homegrown helpings by Lauren M. Whaley Jackson Hole News & Guide Published 11/05/2008
The best response to an increasingly dire financial crisis is to take a deep breath and return to our communities, says the founder of Slow Food in the Tetons. · Read the entire article.
Cultivating Minds: Food-Related Curricula Take Root Nationwide by Bernice Yeung Edutopia Published 11/05/2008
Rochester Roots is one of many public school programs nationwide that uses food as a pathway to learning. The concept, popularized by chef Alice Waters's Edible Schoolyard and the Community Food Security Coalition's Farm to School programs, has been quietly gaining momentum over the past decade. As Americans sharpen their focus on education, health, and climate change, more states and school districts are embracing food-related curricula to teach topics as varied as chemistry, nutrition, and environmentalism. Many believe the vegetable's time as a teaching tool has finally come. · Read the entire article.
This week at the State House by Sheryl Julian The Boston Globe Published 11/04/2008
Fifth grade children from the Williamsburg (Mass.) Elementary School formed a partnership with Fertile Ground initiative to create a farm-to-school program. State Rep Stephen Kulik is hosting an exhibit in the State House's Doric Hall that records the childrens' perspective in a new methodology called PhotoVoice. · Read the entire article.
Area project kicks off anti-obesity push by Scott Nicholson The Watauga Democrat Published 11/04/2008
The Watauga County Childhood Obesity Prevention Project officially launched Oct. 29 at Watauga Medical Center, with planning already under way for a sustained program to promote healthy behaviors among the young and enhance physical fitness and nutrition. Farm-to-school programs will help children understand the connection between meals and local produce, and high school students will be surveyed about their health behaviors. · Read the entire article.
Schools cafeterias opt for local produce by Ashley Wilson Citizen-Times Published 11/03/2008
The local food movement has made its way into school cafeterias across Western North Carolina. With an increased emphasis on healthier cafeteria food and changes to the farm bill, more area school districts, including Buncombe County and Asheville City, are turning to local farms to get fresh produce for school lunches. · Read the entire article.
Greg Clark Q and A Addison Independent Published 11/03/2008
The Vermont-made label means something in many parts of the world so I?m supportive of the marketing of Vermont farm products. I will continue to support the current use program, the farm viability program, the buy locally and farm to school programs. · Read the entire article.
Woodland Heights to receive funding from USDA The Citizen of Laconia Published 10/31/2008
The Laconia School District announced that the Woodland Heights Elementary School is a recipient of funding under the USDA's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. · Read the entire article.
Oregon schools embrace local produce programs by Don Schrack The Packer Published 10/31/2008
It was a simple, yet challenging concept: a healthful environment and community can exist amidst a robust economy. A Portland, Ore.-based non-profit organization, with assistance from growers, food processors and retailers ? and a nearly $300,000 grant from the Kaiser-Permanente Community Fund ? is taking its message of a healthful environment and community into Portland Public Schools. · Read the entire article.
Michigan Farm to School Web site NBC25 Published 10/31/2008
A new state Web site is helping match schools up with local food producers to help boost Michigan's economy and encourage students to eat healthier. · Read the entire article.
Michigan Farm to School Web site TV 7 Published 10/31/2008
The idea of the Michigan Farm to School Web site is to create an easy resource for schools to plan local agriculture related projects. Projects like helping schools get local food for school meals programs, designing fundraisers that involve local agricultural products, and creating things like school gardens, planning farmer visits to school classrooms and cafeterias, and school field trips to local farms. · Read the entire article.
Stewardship conference in Anderson targets sustainable agriculture by James Rubinstein Independent-Mail Published 10/31/2008
Sustainable agriculture is about a system of agriculture that takes into account the triple bottom line: environmental, social and economic concerns and by taking into account all three of these things agriculture can be a part of everyone?s life, say agriculture experts. · Read the entire article.
The Farm-to-Schools Movement: Schools across the state serve up change by Rebecca Mayer The Lake Oswego Review Published 10/30/2008
Corn dogs and tator tots are being voted out of school cafeterias across the country. Unless of course they?re made from scratch with local, all-natural ingredients. Lunch ladies (and gents) are pioneering a food movement from coast to coast that encompasses a variety of more healthful options: from farm-to-schools programs and scratch kitchens to organic, gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian options. The National Farm-to-School Network dates back to a 2000 project funded by the USDA Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems. The aim is to not only put local food on the table for schoolkids but to help students to understand where food comes from and how food choices affect our bodies and the environment · Read the entire article.
Fresh concept goes to school by Laura Diamond The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published 10/30/2008
The school changed its food ordering practices this year to use more farm-fresh and seasonal items from the region. At the same time, the school is reducing its reliance on frozen fruits and vegetables as well as produce from far-flung areas. The change is part of the school?s long-standing sustainability efforts and reflects a national trend to buy local. · Read the entire article.
Who has what it takes? by Harmony Groves The Lumber Jack Published 10/29/2008
Susan Ornelas is a long-time community leader and a firm advocate for sustainable agriculture and local food. I am very impressed by her work establishing our local Farm-to-School program to improve the health of local children and the viability of local farms. · Read the entire article.
Damariscotta River Grill Prepares for an Exciting November with Fourth Annual Harvest Dinner and Com Maine Business Published 10/29/2008
The FARMS project promotes farm-to-school activities throughout Maine by connecting classrooms, cafeterias, local farms and communities through its goal of educating students on good nutrition and the role that local farms play in promoting healthy communities. · Read the entire article.
School to open salad bar Terrace Standard Published 10/28/2008
Mom may have told you to eat your vegetables at mealtimes and even maybe served fruit for dessert to raise healthy children. Now mom?s advice is moving into the classroom for lunch. · Read the entire article.
Vision Award Winners Announced by Karen Bengstron Nemours Enterprise Published 10/28/2008
Nemours Health and Prevention Services, a division of Nemours, announced two winners of their Vision Awards, designed to recognize exemplary programs in child health promotion. The recipients are Delaware Farms to Delaware Schools, a program of the Vegetable Growers Association of Delaware, and WISE SNAC Building Healthy Schools and Communities, a program of the Health Promotion Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania. · Read the entire article.
A+ Lunch: New Haven gives children, more healthful, locally-grown choices by Elizabeth Benton New Haven Register Published 10/26/2008
Kindergartner Khaliyah Kelly tried a red pepper this week. Khaliyah's intrepid venture is something the school district hopes to make routine through its recently overhauled school lunch program, which aims to incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables and more healthful fare. · Read the entire article.
Let?s do lunch by Faye Whitbeck The Daily Journal Published 10/24/2008
Regulations aside, the experts say student lunches are currently loaded with high-fat, nutrient-poor cheeseburgers and hotdogs, chips and other foods which don?t promote good health. The negative indications of health findings in children have likely started a national trend to start paying attention to what foods are available to kids. Schools across the country are becoming more focused on adding fruits, vegetables, salads and healthier options to menus. · Read the entire article.
Tsongas pays area a visit by Brad Petrishan Wicked Local Published 10/23/2008
Congresswoman Niki Tsongas talked Washington apples rather than Washington politics Friday, as she visited a number of orchards and farms across the fifth congressional district to get a better idea of the challenges facing its 535 farm owners. ?What started my whole reconsideration of the farm bill ? was hearing that one of three children in my district go hungry,? she said, adding that she believes local produce can help alleviate the problem through programs such as the Farm to School Program. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Program by Barbara Howard The Recipe Box Published 10/23/2008
Interview segment from Blog Action Day broadcast featuring Anupama Joshi of the National Farm to School Network. Their programs connect schools with local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing health and nutrition education opportunities that will last a lifetime, and supporting local small farmers. · Read the entire article.
Healthy Fuel: GTACS program provides kids with nutritious snacks by Carol South Traverse City - Record Eagle Published 10/21/2008
Determined to instill life lessons, the Life Balance Initiative has been branching out. The Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools program was launched a year ago to bring healthy hot lunches to the four schools in the system. Processed, high sodium, high fat and packaged food gave way to made-from-scratch offerings that included local produce, meat and milk. · Read the entire article.
Two farm-to-school efforts receive awards Burlington Free Press Published 10/21/2008
Two Vermont initiatives are among 25 nationally to receive Victory Against Hunger Awards from Congressional Hunger Center, Victory Wholesale Group and National Farm to School Network. Hartland's Farm to School program and Vermont FEED (Food Education Every Day) will receive national recognition and $1,000 awards. · Read the entire article.
KBOO Food Show KBOO-FM Published 10/20/2008
· Read the entire article.
Farm-To-School Programs Grow Students' Appreciation for Locally Grown Food by Diane Raymond Natural News Published 10/20/2008
As farmers struggle to mitigate the increasing cost of transporting produce from farm to store and schools face smaller budgets and increasing concerns over the nutritional content of school lunches, some schools opt to bring the farm to the lunch table. There is more good news: The National Farm to School program, a national network of community-based food systems that assist farmers and improve student health, estimates that more than 2,000 Farm to School Programs are currently underway in the U.S., with more than 8,700 schools actively participating. · Read the entire article.
Meadors ?gets? environmental issues by Julia Romo Independent Mail Published 10/19/2008
Farming has long been a mainstay in Anderson County. More needs to be done to support our local farmers and protect their livelihood. Marshall supports sustainable farming with programs like ?Farm to School,? which brings healthy, locally grown food to our children. · Read the entire article.
Learn how to get fresh fruits and vegetables in local schools Register-Pajaronian Published 10/18/2008
The event, for both adults and kids, will provide information on how to get more fresh local produce on school menus and teach kids about local agriculture. While adults are attending workshops, the children can have fun with farm and food activities. · Read the entire article.
Tsongas tours district's finest farms by Brad Petrishen The MetroWest Daily News Published 10/18/2008
Established about five years ago, the nonprofit Farm to School Program helps match public schools with local farmers who provide them with fresh produce. · Read the entire article.
Striving for nutrition, appeal and affordability by Scott Blackburn Delmarva Now Published 10/16/2008
Nutrition, appeal and affordability continue to be primary focuses for school food and nutrition service programs in our state. This year, the focus on providing students with fresh fruits and vegetables has expanded with the Farm to School initiative. Not only does this program encourage our children to enjoy the benefits (taste and nutrition) of fresh produce, it also enables school systems to partner with local farmers, supporting this vital industry. · Read the entire article.
Students and Lunch ? Both Connecticut Grown by Marianne Sullivan Shore Publishing Published 10/16/2008
Last week the region?s three elementary schools celebrated ?Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids,? a farm-to-school lunchtime event. The goal was to educate students about the local foods grown or made locally and about good nutrition. · Read the entire article.
Getting back to Easton?s roots by Laura Modlin Easton Courier Published 10/16/2008
A group of local parents feels that not only are the town?s farms an important part of Easton?s culture, but they also provide an ideal way to help nourish children as they learn and grow.?It?s a great way to teach our children to take better care of themselves, the town and their planet.? · Read the entire article.
Local School Lunches Make a Million Local Eaters by Roger Richardson and Nancy S. Grasmick BayWeekly.com Published 10/16/2008
Statewide, the Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Program has been an overwhelming success and shows great promise for the future. Almost every county in Maryland is participating, as are more than 30 different Maryland farms. It is a true example of a successful federal, state, local and private collaboration that is working. · Read the entire article.
Educators Hungry for Farm-to-School Programs by Isabel Cowles Finding Dulcinea Published 10/15/2008
Rising food costs and increasing requests by parents have encouraged many schools across the country to adopt farm-to-school programs so that kids can get fresh, local produce, and see how it is grown and prepared. · Read the entire article.
Growing lunch by Leslie Cole The Oregonian Published 10/14/2008
Mention school lunches, and it's hard to find someone who's not hungry for change. Maybe you can't see, smell or taste it just yet, but the shape of public school meals is shifting, in the Portland area and beyond. Despite other hurdles -- and there are many -- school food service directors are buying fresh fruits and vegetables from nearby farmers when they can, with little or no additional federal or state money in their pockets. · Read the entire article.
Promoting Agriculture: Students flourish during Homegrown School Lunch Week by Laurie Savage Frederick News Post Published 10/13/2008
The Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week celebration kicked off recently at Takoma Park Middle School with the crunch of Montgomery County-grown apples. "Food doesn't grow in the supermarket, it grows in Maryland on farms," said Sen. Jamie Raskin of Montgomery County. Raskin was a lead sponsor, along with Del. Sheila Hixson, of Farm-to-School Program legislation. · Read the entire article.
Local produce on school menu is a winning offer by Roger Richardson and Nancy S. Grasmick Delmarva Now Published 10/13/2008
We thank The Daily Times for its coverage of the Jane Lawton Farm-to-School initiative and the Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Program during the week of Sept. 22-26. This exciting new program, signed into law by Gov. Martin O'Malley this year, is designed to bring more Maryland-grown products to school lunches and to help educate students about the source of their food, how it is produced and the benefits of a healthy diet. · Read the entire article.
State-Grown Food Program Takes Root In Norwich by Jenna Cho The Day Published 10/13/2008
Uncas was one of two schools in the state celebrating Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids Week last week. The effort is designed to encourage students to learn where their fresh produce comes from and the importance of eating healthy. · Read the entire article.
Farm To School KION 46 Published 10/13/2008
A non-profit program called Farm To School is promoting healthy eating habits in school. The program partners with local farms, parents and school cafeterias to make eating fruits and vegatable the norm in a child's diet. · Read the entire article.
Farm To School Fox 35 Published 10/13/2008
Farm To School has supported over 70 school garden programs and taught better eating habits to nearly 8,000 students. The Farm To School program is working on developing a workbook for interested parents to present to their Parent Teacher Association, to get the program to their school. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-School initiative shows great promise by Roger Richardson Cumberland Times-News Published 10/12/2008
Thank you for your coverage of the Jane Lawton Farm-to-School initiative and the Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Program (Sept. 22-26). This exciting new program, signed into law by Gov. (Martin) O?Malley this year, is designed to bring more Maryland-grown products to school lunches and to help educate students about the source of their food, how it is produced, and the benefits of a healthy diet. · Read the entire article.
Fresh Produce Programs Are Win-Winners by Editorial Board Kitsap Sun Published 10/12/2008
This spring, Washington lawmakers passed Local Farms-Healthy Kids legislation, with funding to connect schools with Washington farmers and produce distributors. Consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables is a lifestyle change that children may bring home to their families, and carry with them into adulthood ? a significant step toward increasing health and reducing obesity in our society. · Read the entire article.
The sustainability campus: Green efforts continue to grow at UNH by Adam Leech Seacoast Online Published 10/12/2008
The Farm to School Program connects state farms and 258 K-12 schools and five colleges by facilitating the purchase of state grown and produced foods by New Hampshire schools. Its vision is to develop a healthy, community-based, community-supported school food system by integrating agricultural production, school food procurement and school curriculum. · Read the entire article.
Local Produce Gets More Prominent in the Lunch Line by Edie Lau Kitsap Sun Published 10/11/2008
Washington lawmakers this spring boosted the local angle by passing legislation dubbed Local Farms-Healthy Kids, which puts personnel and money toward connecting schools with Washington farmers and distributors. The first act of the new law was to offer $600,000 in grants to elementary schools with a high proportion of low-income students. · Read the entire article.
Kimberly replaces playground by Miranda C.R. White Redlands Daily Facts Published 10/09/2008
For the opening ceremony, Bob Knight of Farm to School, a program that provides local produce to schools, donated freshly picked apples. Knight also donated oranges from his Old Grove Orange farm for the volunteers on the build day to thank the Redlands Unified School District for buying local oranges and apples for their schools. · Read the entire article.
School Lunch Program Promotes Healthy Eating by Associated Press Food Product Design Published 10/09/2008
Bistro Kids Farm 2 School Lunch Program operates in Kansas and Missouri and aims to promote farm-to-school ideals, a concept introduced in 2000 by the national Farm To School Network. · Read the entire article.
EHOVE lunch fresh from the farm The News-Messenger Published 10/07/2008
Lunchtime at EHOVE Career Center has taken on a fresh approach this year, with many of the fruits and vegetables served up on the trays less than 24 hours after picking. As one of two schools in Ohio participating in the Farm to School Program, students are offered fresh produce from a nearby source. · Read the entire article.
Lunches go organic in some schools by Associated Press CNN Published 10/07/2008
The Academy is one of three Kansas City-area private schools that participate in Bistro Kids' Farm 2 School program, which is committed to improving students' health by offering lunches from organic, natural, locally-grown food. "It's really, really good," said sixth-grader Peter Imel, while chomping away on pizza. "When I first heard about it, I thought, 'OK, maybe, maybe not.' But it's better than any restaurant I've been to." · Read the entire article.
Real Food: Coming to a School Near You by Natalie Rotunda Examiner Published 10/07/2008
Interestingly, the Farm to School Program marries two important issues of our day, both with dire consequences: the decline in farms---fewer than 2% of our population farm---and the high rate of obesity in our children. Farmers, parents, schools and some community groups found common ground and got behind the effort to make it happen and, voila! today, a little over 2,000 school districts, nearly 9,000 schools, in 39 states are involved. It?s easy to see it?s a win-win for everyone. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Day is Oct. 18 in Watsonville The Californian Published 10/06/2008
Learn how to get more fresh local produce on school menus and teach children about local agriculture at Farm to School Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Crystal Bay Farm, 70 Zils Road, Watsonville. · Read the entire article.
Local Matters receives a "Victory Aganist Hunger" The Columbus Underground Published 10/06/2008
Celebrating outstanding efforts in fighting hunger through promoting or creating innovative farm to school programs, Local Matters, a nonprofit organization in Columbus, Ohio, which plays a key leadership role in ensuring that the entire community of Central Ohio has easy access to local, nutritious foods, was recently awarded a Victory Against Hunger Awards by the Congressional Hunger Center (CHC), Victory Wholesale Group, and National Farm to School Network. · Read the entire article.
Little Falls youths try local foods by Dave Aeikens SC Times Published 10/05/2008
Later this month, students in Little Falls schools will get a dessert on their lunch trays made from locally grown apples. It?s part of a monthly effort to get more local products onto school lunch menus. · Read the entire article.
Class Notes The Monterey County Herald Published 10/05/2008
The Monterey County Partnership for Farm to School will host an information table about how connecting schools with local produce and start school gardens. The table will be at the Pacific Grove Certified Farmers Market, 5 to 6 p.m., Oct. 13 on Lighthouse Avenue between Forest Avenue and 17th Street in Pacific Grove. · Read the entire article.
From farms to the school cafeteria by Amanda Godfrey Sandusky Register Published 10/04/2008
Local school districts are planting the seeds of healthy eating. Through a collaboration with local farmers in the national Farm to School program, EHOVE and Sandusky Schools are among a handful of schools in Ohio serving up fresh, more nutritious meals. · Read the entire article.
Despite costs, healthy school lunches on the menu by Margaret Stafford The Hays Daily Published 10/03/2008
The buffet offers a variety of pizzas, with whole wheat crust, organic toppings and hormone-free cheese. The salad bar includes some greens and vegetables grown without pesticides in a nearby garden, perhaps topped with homemade croutons and organic dressing. And the chef even takes special requests from vegetarians, those wanting gluten-free food or even an extra slice of free-range meat. This isn't a restaurant in one of Kansas City's trendy neighborhoods, but a cramped room in the basement of the Kansas City Academy, a private school for 6th-12th graders in the city's Waldo district. The Academy is one of three Kansas City-area private schools that participate in Bistro Kids' Farm 2 School program, which is committed to improving students' health by offering lunches from organic, natural, locally-grown food. · Read the entire article.
School Menus Offer Locally Grown Food by Lori Aratani Washington Post Published 10/02/2008
State and local officials are hoping a new initiative will help schoolchildren across Maryland appreciate local farmers and the crops they grow. Last week, the state sponsored Homegrown School Lunch Week, an effort to teach children that the watermelon chunks and cucumber slices they see on their lunch trays come from nearby fields -- not the supermarket. Farmers and officials appeared at Maryland schools, where they set up displays of Maryland-grown produce. · Read the entire article.
Farm Lets Kids Have A Field Day by Don Robinson The Register -Guard Springfield Extra Published 10/02/2008
This recent Friday outing was the start of an official farm field trip under the Farm to School program guided by the Willamette Farm and Food Coalition. Megan Kemple, the coalition?s Farm to School coordinator and one of its two full-time staff members, helped lead the tour. She also showed those who were not out in the fields how to trim onions with a scissors. Joining in were Bobbi Phillips, Springfield schools? new nutrition services director, and Joan Ottinger of Salem, coordinator of the state?s new Farm to School program, authorized by the Legislature in a special session last February. The program aims to bring more locally grown food into school lunches. · Read the entire article.
Joint boards favor farm-to-school program by Dorothy Jasperson Westby Times Published 10/02/2008
The farm-to-school program was designed to bring healthy food from local farms to schoolchildren across the country and allow school districts the ability to purchase more local commodities for their food-service programs reducing the amount of travel time from harvest to ingestion providing students with healthier choices and fresher meals. · Read the entire article.
Center for Rural Studies Receives Funding for Community Projects University Communications Published 10/02/2008
Vermont FEED (Food Education Every Day) Farm to School, a project of Shelburne Farms, Northeast Organic Farmers Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) and Foodworks, will receive $15,000 to help to provide sustained technical support to teachers, food service staff and farmers in a variety of areas. Activities include developing curriculum activities and integrated learning units with teachers, working with school food service directors and students in menu planning and taste testing using locally grown produce, and linking students, teachers and food service personnel directly with area farms to foster ongoing farm-to-school partnerships, including purchasing agreements with school breakfast and lunch programs. These trainings will benefit at least 12 Vermont public schools in the 2008-09 school year, affecting a minimum of 30 teachers, 500 students and 15 small family farms. · Read the entire article.
Fresh ideas in the lunchroom by Kristen Browning-Blas The Denver Post Published 10/01/2008
Whatever you think about school lunch, many agree it's time to rethink it. A convergence of issues ? the obesity crisis, overly processed meals, the desire for more local, natural foods ? forms the front wave of a sea change in how we feed our children. "We don't bash the school food," says agriculture activist Jim Dyer, who is all for reform but knows better than to make the lunch ladies mad. "We work with where it is." · Read the entire article.
Making the connection from farm to plate by Jesse Yeatman Southern Maryland Newspapers Published 10/01/2008
A new program aims to educate students on where their food comes from and make school lunch healthier in the process. "It's a very important connection for them to make ? from the farm to the plate," said Susan McQuilkin, marketing executive for the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission. She said many children do not know where the food they eat comes from or how food grows. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-School a Hit with Students by Kendra Blevins GTR News Published 10/01/2008
This year Jenks Public Schools are seeing the fruits of the Farm-to-School Program. Farm-to-school encourages school districts to purchase locally and regionally produced foods in order to improve child nutrition and strengthen local and regional farm economies. · Read the entire article.
A look at new laws taking effect in Md. by Associated Press The Baltimore Sun Published 09/30/2008
FARM TO SCHOOL: Promotes the sale of farm products grown in Maryland to Maryland schools. · Read the entire article.
School Serves Up Farm-Fresh Produce by David Brown The Boston Channel Published 09/30/2008
The hustle and bustle of the Waltham's Northeast Elementary School cafeteria is a long way from the farm, but farm fresh ideas are on the today's lunch menu. NewsCenter 5's David Brown reported that the fresh summer squash and zucchini that are being served were picked just down the road at Waltham Field's Community Farm. This is the Farm to School Program -- organic, good for kids produce, grown locally is being served to area school children. · Read the entire article.
UMass dining awarded by Niina Heikkinen The Daily Collegian Published 09/30/2008
The director of the University of Massachusetts Dining Services, Ken Toong, received two awards on Friday, Sept. 26, recognizing his support of local agriculture. A celebration was held in the Berkshire Dining Commons, where Massachusetts Commissioner of Agriculture Doug Petersen presented Toong with the state's Faces of Agriculture Award for his support of sustainable agriculture in Massachusetts. Toong also received the 2008 Blue Ribbon Award from Amherst-based nonprofit Farm to School Project for encouraging connections between farms and schools. · Read the entire article.
Students enjoy Homegrown School Lunch Week by Stephanie Jordan American Farm Published 09/30/2008
Schools across the state participated last week in Maryland?s first Homegrown School Lunch Week. Talbot County was just one of many counties that eagerly participated in the event. ?We?re looking for more farmers to participate in this program,? said Shannon Dill, Talbot County Extension agent. ?We?re hoping we can have more fresh fruits and vegetables for the children next year.? · Read the entire article.
Learning About State's Growth Industry by Jenna Johnson and Lori Aratani Washington Post Published 09/28/2008
The farm-to-school program was created during the last legislative session to honor Jane Lawton, 63, a Maryland House of Delegates member from Montgomery County who died in November. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Jamie Raskin, (D-Montgomery) is called the Jane Lawton Farm to School Program and was signed into law by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) in May. In addition to incorporating Maryland produce into school lunches, the program teaches children about the state's agricultural heritage. In St. Mary's, local farmers are speaking at four schools. · Read the entire article.
Food Print by Carey Quan Gelernter The Seattle Times Published 09/28/2008
These programs connect schools with local farms with the goal of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition and supporting local small farmers. farmtoschool.org · Read the entire article.
Learning About State's Growth Industry by Jenna Johnson and Lori Aratani The Washington Post Published 09/28/2008
Teams of farmers and other agriculture workers visited several St. Mary's County schools last week to talk to students about where their food comes from and to attempt to correct some stereotypes. The events were part of Homegrown School Lunch Week, a new initiative to help schoolchildren across the state appreciate local farmers and what they grow. · Read the entire article.
UMass cheers local produce by Stan Freeman The Republican Published 09/27/2008
Think globally, eat locally. That could well be the philosophy at University of Massachusetts, where the dining halls are increasingly serving food grown on area farms. This year, 23 percent of the food served in campus dining halls, everything from eggs to eggplant, will come from local farms, up from 7 percent in 2004. The effort is part of the statewide Farm to School Project. · Read the entire article.
Edmond schools use salad bars, Farm to School program to urge nutrition by Patty Miller The Edmund Sun Published 09/27/2008
With September named National Fruits and Veggies ? More Matters Month, parents are urged to let their children have a more active role in deciding what they eat as parents help them choose more nutritious items for their meals. Edmond schools are doing their part as they incorporate the Farm to School program, said Amy Herrold, child nutrition assistant supervisor. · Read the entire article.
Eat your fruits and vegetables by Elisabeth Hulette Hometown Annapolis Published 09/27/2008
During their annual visit to Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center last week, Tydus and his classmates from Millersville Elementary School tried red and green bell peppers, spaghetti squash with garlic sauce and summer-squash-infused macaroni and cheese, as part of a weeklong push throughout the state to introduce students to fresh, local food. · Read the entire article.
Back to food's roots by Karen Goldberg The Washington Times Published 09/26/2008
In this age of soaring childhood obesity rates and eating bad food on the run, there is often a disconnect between food origins and the food on our plates. That's why Maryland created the Jane Lawton Farm-to-School Program. The initiative, named for the late state delegate, encourages using Maryland-grown products in public schools. The program also will help educate children about the origins of their food and how to incorporate healthy eating into their diets. · Read the entire article.
Whole Grains, Fresh Corn: School Menu on a Mission by Gerri Hirshey NY Times Published 09/26/2008
NEVER mind your Iron Chefs, your swashbuckling ?Dinner: Impossible? TV cooks. Could any of those free-range stove jockeys turn out healthy and toothsome breakfasts and lunches for 20,000 spirited young food critics ? every school day? ?Five million meals a year. No problem,? insists a smiling Timothy Cipriano, new executive director of food services for the New Haven public schools. · Read the entire article.
Ore. lawmakers seek local food for schools by Associated Press Oregon Live Published 09/25/2008
Two legislators want $22 million from the next session to use more local food for school breakfasts and lunches. Rep. Brian Clem, D-Salem, and Tina Kotek, D-Portland say they want to add 15 cents to each lunch and 7 cents to each breakfast for local food purchases. Schools have some new flexibility to buy local foods. But state officials say decisions now must rely on price. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-school funding plan aired by Mitch Lies Capital Press Published 09/25/2008
Reps. Brian Clem, D-Salem, and Tina Kotek, D-Portland, said Thursday, Sept. 18, they will seek $22 million in the next legislative session to put more local food on school breakfast and lunch plates. Clem and Kotek said at the Western Regional Assembly of the National Farm to School Network they want the state to put an extra 15 cents toward every lunch and 7 cents toward every breakfast to pay for local food purchases. · Read the entire article.
School leaders learn of healthy meal, PE standards to take effect in '09 by Matt Bower Warwick Beacon Published 09/25/2008
Hundreds of school officials converged on the Warwick Crowne Plaza Tuesday morning for the Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition?s annual ?Breakfast for School Leaders.? More than 300 superintendents, principals, school physicians, school committee members, school business managers, food service directors, community wellness partners and parent leaders attended, representing all 36 school districts in the state. · Read the entire article.
Program connects schools with farmers by Margarita Raycheva Gazette Published 09/25/2008
During the Homegrown School Lunch Week, schools highlight locally grown products and use them to teach students about healthy eating as well as the dynamics of local food production in their area. The initiative will expand in future. The Maryland State Department of Education is developing guidelines for teachers, so they can include nutrition and agriculture education in their classroom curriculum, said Stewart Eidel, who oversees school and community nutrition programs at the Maryland State Department of Education. · Read the entire article.
Lansing Moving on Farm-to-School? by Diane Conners Michigan Land Use Institute Published 09/25/2008
Farm-to-school legislation took a big step forward in Michigan earlier this month when the state House passed-by a nearly unanimous vote-a package of bills meant to make it easier for schools to buy and serve food grown by local farms. · Read the entire article.
Tasty lessons learned by Sonia Dasgupta Cecil Whig Published 09/25/2008
School lunch got a fresh spin this week as schools hosted Home Grown School Lunch Week. · Read the entire article.
Produce and fruit growers answer the bell by Bradford L. Miner Telegram & Gazette Published 09/24/2008
Gov. Deval L. Patrick has proclaimed this week Massachusetts Harvest for Students Week; schools, colleges and universities across the commonwealth will mark the occasion with fresher, greener meals using foods produced on Massachusetts farms. The statewide program is coordinated by the nonprofit, Amherst-based Massachusetts Farm to School Project, with support from the Department of Agricultural Resources. · Read the entire article.
Lunch program connects farmers to schools by Jeremy Arias The Gazette Published 09/24/2008
Students, county and state representatives joined area farmers Tuesday at Takoma Park Middle School to kick off the statewide Homegrown School Lunch Week, part of the Jane Lawton Farm to School program. The aim of the program, named after former state Del. Jane E. Lawton (D-Dist. 18) of Chevy Chase, is to connect the often overlooked Maryland farmers and agricultural community to state school cafeterias as a market. County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) took the podium briefly to praise the benefits to both farmers and students. · Read the entire article.
UVM, Center for an Agricultural Economy Announce Partnership by Jeffrey R. Wakefield The University of Vermont Published 09/24/2008
The University of Vermont and the Center for an Agricultural Economy, a non-profit that seeks to promote a healthy food system through a network of food-based companies in the Hardwick, Vt. area, announced a formal partnership today, signaling an expansion of the university's commitment to investigating and advancing local food systems. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Days - It Takes a Lot of Food to Feed 17,000 Students a Day by Pete Hurrey The Bay Net Published 09/24/2008
Beginning on Monday, Sept. 22, St. Mary?s County Public Schools embarked on a revolutionary nutrition program called Farm to School, in St. Mary?s County. The program seeks to introduce locally grown farm products to children in St. Mary?s County Schools. This first of its kind program will have children introduced to the concept of local produce and, as part of their normal school curriculum learn about farming and nutrition. · Read the entire article.
State urges residents: ?Get fit, eat smart? by Patty Miller The Edmond Sun Published 09/24/2008
Anita Poole, co-chair of the Oklahoma Food Policy Council, said Oklahoma is leading the nation in the Farm to School program. ?Getting local foods into the school system and teaching the students to eat healthy while they are young will carry through to adulthood,? Poole said. ?Buy fresh, buy local.? · Read the entire article.
Fresh idea: Schools pair with Baugher?s to provide local produce to students by Karen Kemp Carroll County Times Published 09/23/2008
Carroll County students will be helping to support local agriculture when they eat the fresh gala apples that come with their school lunches this week. The school system is partnering with Baugher?s Orchard in Westminster to offer the newly picked fruits to 38 schools for the first Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week, which started Monday. It is part of the Jane Lawton Farm to School Program created during this year?s session of the Maryland General Assembly in an effort to bring more locally grown products into schools. · Read the entire article.
Maryland Students Get a Taste of Locally Grown Produce by Megan A. Conlan Capital News Service Published 09/23/2008
The cafeteria tables in Takoma Park Middle School were lined with both adults and students enjoying locally grown produce during Tuesday's kick-off event for Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week. · Read the entire article.
Apples on the Tree, Not on the Shelf National Public Radio Published 09/23/2008
A new non-profit group, Apple Seeds, is spending a year with an elementary school discussing nutrition, agriculture and food. The program began on the University of Arkansas farm. · Read the entire article.
Statewide Homegrown School Lunch Week Kicks-off with Educational Activities, Local Produce at Takoma Maryland Department of Agriculture Published 09/23/2008
To draw attention to the connection between healthy food and the local farms that grow it, Governor Martin O?Malley officially designated September 22-26, 2008 as Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week. · Read the entire article.
Fresh produce goes from local farm to lunch tray by Lynn Olszowy WKYC TV Published 09/22/2008
Students in Sandusky City Schools are getting to enjoy the sweet tastes of summer at lunchtime. The school district partners with Mulvin's farm in Sandusky to get fresh fruits and vegetables into cafeterias throughout the city. Sandusky City Schools, along with one other district in Ohio, are planting the seeds of healthy eating as part of the Farm to School Program, a non-profit, nationwide program geared toward getting children eating produce from local farms. · Read the entire article.
School Lunch Now Healthy And Locally Grown by Mike Webster WCHS 6 Published 09/19/2008
School lunch doesn't look like it used to -- not in the elementary schools of Union 74 in Lincoln County. Students are eating corn on the cob, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, and broccoli and salad greens -- all locally grown by farmers in the county. · Read the entire article.
Apple Seeds polishes kids? food ideas by Evie Blad Arkansas Democrat Gazzette Published 09/19/2008
Students from Fayetteville?s Leverett Elementary School went to the University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station to learn how horticulturists research and develop new types of apples. The field trips were part of a project created by Apple Seeds, a nonprofit organization that aims to encourage students to eat healthy, locally produced foods through hands on activities and experiments. · Read the entire article.
Leverett field trip educates students on health by Brett Bennett Northwest Arkansas Times Published 09/19/2008
Students from Leverett Elementary School learned a fundamental health principle Thursday morning: Food can be healthy and taste good too. · Read the entire article.
National Farm To School Movement Cooking Up A Story Published 09/19/2008
If you're not familiar with the farm to school movement, it's all about getting fresh, clean, good food to our kids in school and help create new markets for local farmers. It started as a grassroots movement and has spread across the country. Get in on the conversation with Deb Eschmeyer of the National Farm to School Network, and hear just how far our food system has strayed. · Read the entire article.
Washington Co. schools to serve local produce by Erin Cunningham Herald-Mail Published 09/18/2008
Lunch provided at public schools could include an apple from as far away as Washington or fruit canned in Florida. However, next week, Washington County Public Schools will offer meals that include fresh fruit and vegetables grown, for the most part, within 45 miles. Washington County Homegrown School Lunch Week is derived from a Maryland Senate bill passed earlier this year that established the Jane Lawton Farm-to-School Program in the Department of Agriculture. · Read the entire article.
Bipartisan plan will boost local growers' sales, keep children healthy Michigan House Democrats Published 09/18/2008
State Representatives Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) and Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) voted to pass a bipartisan plan Wednesday to create farm-to-school initiatives that will help make fresh, locally grown foods available in school cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
Students Use Math To Learn About Nutrition At UA Farm by Rose Ann Pearce The Morning News Published 09/18/2008
The fifth-graders are from Leverett Elementary School where a pilot program was launched this year to teach students more about where their food comes from and more about making healthy food choices for meals and snacks. · Read the entire article.
Sept. 24 local harvest feast is breakfast, lunch and dinner Foster's Daily Democrat Published 09/17/2008
Since 2005, when the University of New Hampshire launched its inaugural annual Local Harvest Dinner, eating local has gained momentum throughout the nation. Farmer's markets and CSAs (community-supported agriculture) are thriving, neighbors are challenging each other to 100-mile diets, even the venerable Oxford English Dictionary designated "locavore" its word of the year in 2007. · Read the entire article.
Maryland Researchers Find Kids Will Eat Fruits and Vegetables at School Media Newswire Published 09/17/2008
How can you get children to eat more fruits and vegetables at school? University of Maryland researchers have released preliminary findings that show there are actually a number of ways to accomplish that. It's the first time Maryland school-based interventions have been shown to help kids eat a healthier diet. · Read the entire article.
House passes farm-to-school bill The Bay City Times Published 09/17/2008
The Michigan House on Tuesday passed a bipartisan plan co-sponsored by State Rep. Jeff Mayes, D-Bay City, to create farm-to-school initiatives that would help make fresh, locally grown foods available in school cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
Hansen effort links local farms to schools Michigan House Republicans Published 09/17/2008
Local school children will be able to eat healthy and learn where their food comes from, all while boosting the area economy if a package of bills approved Tuesday by the House becomes law, announced state Rep. Goeff Hansen. The House sent House Bill 6366 to the Senate, a measure sponsored by Hansen to expand the school bidding process so more local producers can provide food to area districts. The House also approved a Hansen resolution designating Sept. 18, 2008 as Buy Fresh, Buy Local, Select Michigan Day in support of the Farm-to-School package, which includes HBs 6365-68. · Read the entire article.
Soup?s on for school lunch in Springfield by Mark Baker The Register-Guard Published 09/16/2008
Monday was the first day of adding soup to the menu of the district?s 24 schools, part of a new plan created by nutrition services Director Bobbi Phillips. The district hired Phillips in June to create a more healthful menu lower in fat, with lots of fruits and vegetables from local farms. That?s critical in a school district where more than half the 11,300 students qualify for free or reduced lunches as part of the federal National School Lunch Program, Phillips said. · Read the entire article.
Brown Votes for Plan to Increase Fresh, Locally Grown Food in Schools Michigan House Democrats Published 09/16/2008
House passes bipartisan initiatives to boost growers' sales, keep kids healthy State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) today voted for a bipartisan plan to create farm-to-school initiatives that will help make fresh, locally grown foods available in school cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
Students walking their way to wellness Foster's Daily Democrat Published 09/15/2008
Nutrition and the importance of staying active will be encouraged and emphasized as an important part of student and staff wellness. Cafe Services, together with N.H. Farm to School and Fiddlehead Farms Marketplace in Dover, will be participating and assisting the students in tasting new fruits and vegetables throughout the school year. · Read the entire article.
Badly Needed: Seattle-Area School Food Programs by Alex Steffen World Changing Seattle Published 09/14/2008
Farm-to-classroom programs, schoolyard gardens and innovative educational programs like the Netherlands' Kinderkookkafé can not only provide better food than is often available now to even the wealthiest Seattle public school kids, but also teach life-skills in how to eat well. · Read the entire article.
UNH launching cutting-edge EcoGastronomy program by Rachel Forrest Seacoast Online Published 09/14/2008
If you've been to the farmer's market lately and purchased some locally grown heirloom tomatoes, dined on bacon made from pigs raised at a nearby farm, or can't stop talking about Michael Pollan's book, "Omnivore's Dilemma," you've participated in something the University of New Hampshire is making a part of its curriculum ? EcoGastronomy. "The cumulative impact of things like the dual major in EcoGastronomy, the organic research dairy farm, the Local Harvest initiative with UNH Dining, and the New Hampshire Farm to School Program is that students at UNH experience and learn how to advance sustainability in very tangible ways," said Tom Kelly, UNH's chief sustainability officer. · Read the entire article.
Farms to schools are getting local food in cafeterias by Joe Orso Plenty Magazine Published 09/12/2008
Food service staff at the middle and high schools in Viroqua, Wisconsin, a city of 4,400 people in the bluffs east of the Mississippi River, were used to processed vegetables. Heat and serve, and they had a meal. So, when Monique Hooker, a French-born chef, stood with them in front of 500 pounds of raw, local produce in late August, the staff looked overwhelmed. But Hooker, who was embarking with the workers on the first effort of a new Farm to School program, showed them how to take one task at a time. And by the end of the day, they?d made 100 gallons of ratatouille, which they could freeze and use through the winter. · Read the entire article.
Maryland Schools Feature Local Food with New Farm to School Program by Maryland Department of Agriculture Published 09/11/2008
Students in many Maryland counties will find fresh, local apples, watermelon, coleslaw and more offered in their school cafeterias as part of the new Homegrown School Lunch Week, Sept. 22-26. · Read the entire article.
Nutrition program adjusts for budget by Caitlin Getchell Neighbor Newspapers Published 09/10/2008
With the rising costs of food, the Sand Springs school district began this year with some concern for child nutrition services' budget. Superintendent Lloyd Snow said he is no longer worried, however, thanks to some creative alterations the department made. Sherry Pearson, director of child nutrition, said that the department is participating in the Farm to School program this year, as well as altering some of the recipes to make them healthier and to use "commodity items" from the Department of Human Services. · Read the entire article.
School Foodservice: Get Smart ? US Food Trends by Cheryl Sternman Rul Restaurants & Institutions Published 09/10/2008
As another academic year unfolds, school foodservice directors are bracing for what?s in store: calls for more-healthful fare, climbing food costs and requests for more excitement and variety in the cafeteria. None of the challenges is new, but each is more acute this fall. Fortunately, many K-12 operators are now a step ahead of the game, having crafted strategies to both meet their young customers? evolving needs and cut costs without sacrificing nutrition or quality. · Read the entire article.
Getting Children to Eat Fruits and Vegetables at School by Gayle Trent Examiner Published 09/10/2008
Researchers at the University of Maryland have announced initial data that shows school-based intervention efforts help kids buck a national trend by increasing their consumption of fruits and vegetables. To the researchers? knowledge, these results are the first for Maryland, and on the leading edge nationally and internationally. · Read the entire article.
A new field of thought by Todd Guild Register-Pajaronian Published 09/06/2008
Officially, the project is called the Community Alliance with Family Farmers? Farm to School program. Program coordinator Jenny Hansen, acknowledging that the name is a bit dry, let the students pick their own name. They chose ?True Farm Invasion,? and the name stuck. · Read the entire article.
School leaders look at putting fresher food on the table by Patty Mamula The Capital Press Published 09/05/2008
A recent conference titled "What Shall We Feed Our Children" highlighted positive changes and longstanding problems related to school lunches and other nutrition programs for children. Improved nutrition starts with education. "How do we get kids who have been raised on convenience foods to eat "good' food?" Kristy Obbink, food services director for Portland Public Schools, said. Her district took the first step by eliminating the a la carte lunch items three years ago. · Read the entire article.
Re-Localizing Food? by Tracy Sutton Lancaster Farming Published 09/05/2008
It wasn?t that many generations ago that nearly all food was local food. In 1900, 40 percent of Americans farmed, down to a little over 1 percent today. Back in the day, eating close to the land wasn?t a ?locavore? ideal, it was a simple geographic necessity. It?s an oft-cited statistic that food now travels an average of 1,500 miles to arrive at your plate. But the days of cheap fossil fuel that make reliance on transported food the cheaper economic choice are coming to an end, say experts. Coupled with climate change, depleted water resources, and an aging farmer population, the United States is looking at an agricultural revolution in the next 20 years. · Read the entire article.
Farms to Schools: Local Foods for Local Kids by Julia Steinberger World Changing Seattle Published 09/03/2008
Imagine a school cafeteria where kids line up at a salad bar that's brimming with fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables. Imagine that they know ? and feel proud ? that the milk in their milk carton comes from a Washington dairy. It's starting to happen in Washington State. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-School Program kicks off with ?Ratatouille? by Angela Cina Vernon Broadcaster Published 09/03/2008
Students and their parents had an opportunity to sample ratatouille and learn about the new Farm-to-School Program which will incorporate local foods in school lunches. Wisconsin State Ameri-Corps awarded Vernon and Crawford counties grants to start Farm to School programs with the goal of bringing more fresh, locally-grown foods to area schools. · Read the entire article.
Fundraiser fêtes fresh fare by Sharon Letts The Times-Standard Published 09/03/2008
The event is part of the monthlong celebration of ?Local Food Month,? declared as such by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26. The fundraiser will benefit the Community Alliance of Family Farmers' ?Farm to School? program, which features farmers visiting local classrooms and talking about the foods they grow, bringing samples from their gardens. · Read the entire article.
Schools try to keep food cost low, quality high by Anne Williams The Register-Guard Published 09/02/2008
Rising food and fuel prices are putting the squeeze on school cafeteria budgets across the nation, but most local school districts won?t be asking families to pick up much of the extra costs ? not yet, anyway. For instance, the district will be working with the Farm to School program to bring in more locally grown, organic produce, and every school will offer made-from-scratch soup daily. · Read the entire article.
Schools seek Va. produce by Kim Barto Martinsville Bulletin Published 09/01/2008
Local school divisions say they want to serve more Virginia-grown produce in their cafeterias through a new state program, but first they need to connect with local farmers who have crops to sell. The Farm to School program, a national program administered here by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), is meant to give students access to fresh, nutritious food choices and support local agriculture. · Read the entire article.
Some schools to start serving local, seasonal foods KATU Published 09/01/2008
Students in the Portland and Gervais school districts will have much healthier, and local, options for lunch this year. · Read the entire article.
Growing local know-how Muskogee Phoenix Published 08/31/2008
Starting a farm can be overwhelming, and even established farmers can benefit from learning a new trick or two of the trade. An upcoming workshop called ?Growing for Local Markets? provides practical advice and hands-on demonstrations to help current, beginning and potential farmers operate more effectively and profitably. · Read the entire article.
Garden soiree at Redwood Roots Farm The Eureka Reporter Published 08/30/2008
The event will kick off Local Food Month and raise funds for CAFF?s Farm-to-School Program. Farm-to-School hosts educational farm and farmers market tours for schoolchildren in our community, exposing them to the places and faces that feed them, as well as teaching the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables. · Read the entire article.
Cheshire schools promote buying locally by Jesse Buchanan My Record Journal Published 08/29/2008
Madeleine Diker is introducing a new item to the lunch menu this year a "complex carbohydrate salad." It'll include whole grain pasta, tuna or chicken and vegetables, such as cucumbers, broccoli or peas. Diker isn't the owner of a new health-conscious restaurant she's the school district's food services director. The salad is one of several programs designed to improve the quality and appeal of school lunches, focusing on healthy, fresh and locally-grown food. · Read the entire article.
Quick-Freezing Crops by Darren Perron WCAX News Published 08/29/2008
Bushes loaded with blueberries are no match for kids from Jay-Westfield Joint School. Students hunted for the tastiest fruit on Blueberry Ridge in North Troy. Busloads of kids picked the berries to bring them back to their school's cafeteria as part of the Green Mountain Farm to School Program. Area schools and farms partner, and kids help harvest. Now local fruits and veggies will be served to the students all year long. · Read the entire article.
The New School Lunch Wisconsin Public Radio: Here on Earth Published 08/29/2008
It isn?t just in France that chefs are working to create healthier and cheaper school lunches. Alice Waters has school kids growing their own vegetables. In Wisconsin chefs are passing out pizza with ratatouille and doing apple tastings with middle school kids. · Read the entire article.
Eat Up, Kids, This Spud's for You by Anne Marie Chaker Wall Street Journal Published 08/28/2008
With the dawn of the 2008-09 school year, districts across the country are signing on to the burgeoning "farm-to-school" movement. As a result, a number of school districts have cut back on fruits and vegetables purchased from large distributors in favor of working individually with local farmers. While that can be more expensive and may involve more work -- from procurement to preparation -- food directors say it pays dividends in fresher, better-tasting produce that more kids eat. · Read the entire article.
School meals meet USDA nutrition guidelines by Ashley Andyshak The Frederick News Post Published 08/28/2008
Schools are making an effort to get more fresh produce on to lunch trays, and students will get locally grown apples next month as part of the Farm to School initiative. · Read the entire article.
Grant from Kaiser Permanente Community Fund Puts Local Food on the Menu The Earth Times Published 08/27/2008
The first school assembly of the new academic year will take place today at 10 a.m., at Atkinson Elementary in South East Portland, where school food and education leaders will gather alongside farmers, food producers, grocery retailers and government officials to cheer a grant from the Kaiser Permanente Community Fund at the Northwest Health Foundation that will subsidize approximately 2,640,000 meals with the funds needed to serve more Oregon grown and processed foods in Portland Public Schools and Gervais School Districts. · Read the entire article.
AUSD prepares for new school year by Nancy Forrest Atascadero News Published 08/27/2008
State officials have commended AUSD for its quality food program, as well as its ongoing involvement in fresh produce and Farm to School programs. · Read the entire article.
Homegrown school lunches to appear across Maryland by Stephanie Jordan American Farm Published 08/26/2008
The Maryland Farm to School program is picking up steam across the state, with 17 counties signed up to participate in Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week, which will be held Sept. 22 to Sept. 26. · Read the entire article.
Local health officials say children?s obesity is epidemic by Billie Dunn The Daily Mail Published 08/22/2008
Steps to a Healthier New York partners with schools because 95 percent of children attend schools. The partnership is comprised of four main components ? ?Rock on Cafe,? which provides affordable and nutritious meals to students, ?Farm to School,? which connects schools with local farms to provide health and nutrition education, ?Learning in Motion,? which incorporates physical activity into academic lessons, and ?Healthy Fundraising,? which develops and implements healthy fundraising policies. · Read the entire article.
25 schools to get state fruits, vegetables by Jennifer Langston Seattle Post-Intelligencer Published 08/22/2008
Twenty-five schools statewide will be able to buy Washington-grown fruits and vegetables as snacks this year, thanks to new legislation. The Local Farms-Healthy Kids bill passed nearly unanimously in Olympia earlier this year aims to get nutritious food to schoolchildren and provide economic opportunities to state farmers. · Read the entire article.
Farm bill funds bulk up fruit and vegetable programs by Elizabeth Larsen Capital Press Published 08/22/2008
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that nearly $49 million will be provided in fresh fruits and vegetables for elementary school children during the school day this year, in addition to school lunch programs. The farm bill amended the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act by adding the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, according to the USDA. The program, launched in 2002, initially served 14 states, and now offers funds for fresh fruit and vegetables to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. · Read the entire article.
Public input: School lunches not good eating by Elizabeth Lee The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published 08/21/2008
Pop-Tarts and doughnuts for breakfast for 2-year-olds. Rolls, chicken nuggets and French fries for school lunches. Brownies given the same nutritional value as a slice of whole-wheat bread. Federal nutrition programs are failing children and contributing to an epidemic of obesity and chronic illnesses in America, according to speakers who testified Wednesday at a U.S. Department of Agriculture listening session. · Read the entire article.
A growing program by Dale Rodebaugh Durango Herald Published 08/21/2008
A discussion three years ago among La Plata County residents who make their living off the land resulted in locally grown produce and meat in Durango 9-R School District breakfast and lunch menus. The Farm to School program, a coalition of area farmers and ranchers, begins its fourth school year this week. · Read the entire article.
School bells are ready to toll again by Linda Maness The Manchester Journal Published 08/21/2008
Schools ready to begin the 2008-2009 school year, including the farm to school program. · Read the entire article.
Taste of Place Garden Soiree kicks off Local Food Month Redwood Times Published 08/20/2008
The Community Alliance with Family Farmers announces Humboldt County?s 2nd annual Local Food Month, a celebration of local farms, local food, and local abundance. · Read the entire article.
Whole Foods encourages local students to make healthy food choices by Crystal Yamasaki Honolulu Advertiser Published 08/19/2008
Wai'alae Elementary is one of ten schools participating in the Kokua Hawai'i Foundation's 'AINA (Actively Integrating Nutrition and Agriculture) In Schools program, a farm-to-school initiative dedicated to connecting students to a healthier future by teaching them the importance of healthy eating habits, as well as caring for the land. · Read the entire article.
Nemours rewards work to improve children?s health in Del. by Carol Kinsley Americanfarm.com Published 08/19/2008
The coalition, a partnership of some 150 agencies and individuals, is a Nemours Health and Prevention Services initiative working to make Delaware?s children the healthiest in the nation. · Read the entire article.
Putting food on the table by Julie Yates Pryor Daily Times Published 08/16/2008
Malynda Willis, Locust Grove Schools nutrition manager, said Locust Grove has raised their breakfast price to 75 cents. The noon meals for elementary, middle and high schools remain at the same prices as before. Willis said she uses a farm-to-school program and buys fresh foods from local people. She said they use the foods according to the quality and quantity of what they receive. · Read the entire article.
USDA Ready to Listen About School Lunch Earth Day Network Published 08/15/2008
The best way to ensure that kids get food that is safe, healthy, and economical is by expanding farm-to-school programs. Schools are linked with local farmers who provide food for meals and teach children how it is grown. Children learn to appreciate the joys of eating juicy apples and fresh, crisp green beans, developing a taste for healthy food that can last a healthy, vibrant lifetime. At the listening session, a farmer from Delaware pointed out that safety is guaranteed in farm-to-school programs because the farmers themselves usually have children or grandchildren in the school they serve. You know your food is safe when Grandma picked it fresh that morning. · Read the entire article.
Crawford and Vernon County Schools to Benefit from AmeriCorps ?Farm to School? Award Westby Times Published 08/15/2008
Wisconsin State AmeriCorps has awarded Crawford and Vernon Counties resources to start Farm to School programs with the goal of bringing more fresh, locally grown foods to area schools. · Read the entire article.
Organic grower uses orchard as laboratory by Elizabeth Larson Capital Press Published 08/15/2008
Lars Crail of Kelseyville, Calif., isn't afraid to experiment with what he grows or how he farms in order to keep his farm both sustainable and profitable. · Read the entire article.
Keyport schools look to encourage healthier eating by Melissa L. Gaffney The Courier Published 08/14/2008
To offset the drudgery of school food, the borough of Keyport is looking to implement the "Farm-to-School" program in the school district, according to school board member Sheila Bishop. · Read the entire article.
The Art of Eating Locally by Kayt Lange The Melon Published 08/13/2008
This past legislative session in Olympia, I was thrilled to watch the ?Farm to School? bill, sponsored by Rep. Eric Pettigrew, D-Seattle, pass both chambers with ease. This bill, in the top four priorities of our environmental community, attracted support from parents, public health employees, child advocates, state school nutritionists, and farmers alike. · Read the entire article.
School lunch program to start The Herald-Mail Published 08/12/2008
The Jane Lawton Farm to School Initiative was established during the 2008 session of the General Assembly to bring more Maryland grown products to school lunches and to help educate students about the source of their food, how it is produced and the benefits of a healthy diet. · Read the entire article.
Heroes of Sustainability Nominations Denver Business News Published 08/11/2008
Ms. Blair founded and directs the Turtle Lake Refuge in Durango, whose mission is to celebrate the connection between personal health and wild lands. Through its Farm to School program, the organization provides locally grown organic greens to all public schools in Durango. With the help of student volunteers, the program also gathers excess from local harvests and feeds it back to the local community. The organization?s booth at the Durango Farmers Market is bicycle operated ? not just via the three wheelers they use to haul the produce, but also including a bicycle-powered blender and wheatgrass juicer! · Read the entire article.
Agriculture and education: a winning combination by Kelly Cormier California Farm Bureau Federation Published 08/06/2008
Successful farmers from Southern California stressed the important link between agriculture and education during this year's National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference that took place in late June. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Meeting at Lakeview Middle School by Brigette Leach Battle Creek Enquirer Published 08/05/2008
Come prepared to learn about how you can become involved in placing more Michigan grown food on school menus. We plan to make sure food service directors are aware of all the Michigan grown fruits and vegetables available to them and during what seasons, and help farmers learn how to get their products into local schools and what food service directors need. · Read the entire article.
Food safety symposium set for Aug. 19 Bladen Journal Published 08/04/2008
Dr. David Acheson, a central figure in the federal government?s investigation of the recent national salmonella outbreak, will speak to more than 200 representatives of the agriculture and food industries at the fourth annual AgFIRST symposium Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the state fairgrounds in Raleigh. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is host of the event, which has the theme ?Providing Safe Food for Healthy Families in a Global Economy.? It will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Kerr Scott Building. Admission is free, and lunch will be provided, but registration is required. · Read the entire article.
Schools serve up savings for lunch by Will Richmond The Herald News Published 08/03/2008
With higher food prices, farm to school programs offer the benefit of little to no transportation costs by buying local. · Read the entire article.
Rural Health Network pushes locally grown veggies in schools by George Basler Press & Sun-Bulletin Published 08/01/2008
Jack Salo wants to encourage interest in serving locally grown fruits and vegetables in school cafeterias. The time is ripe to promote the effort, said the executive director of the Rural Health Network, which promotes health initiatives in Tioga, Delaware and rural Broome counties. Salo was at Whitney Point High School for a workshop sponsored by the network on Farm to School programs, started across the country to connect schools with local farms. · Read the entire article.
AmeriCorp Farm to School Program by Lora Klenke University of Wisconsin Published 07/31/2008
The Wisconsin Department of Agricultural, Trade and Consumer Protection is looking for candidates for the job of Program Manager ?Farm to School Program. The individual who fills this grant-funded position will serve as the program area liaison responsible for program development, coordination, implementation and overall management of the AmeriCorp Farm to School program. · Read the entire article.
Promoting local produce in schools by Karen Lee News 10 Now Published 07/31/2008
Lunch is served at Whitney Point High School, but you won't find cheese steaks or tater tots here. The lunch you see is part of the Rural Health Network's Farm-to-School initiative. All the items on the menu are all from local farms. · Read the entire article.
Village Feast under the trees by Gloria Glyer Sacramento Bee Published 07/31/2008
The Davis Farm to School Connection will benefit from a slow food dinner, with proceeds providing for school gardens, farm visits for second-graders, school recycling programs, and seasonal produce in school lunch programs. · Read the entire article.
Schools, farmers benefit from push to 'buy local' by Jackie Smith The Dexter Leader Published 07/31/2008
The movement for consumers to buy produce from local farms has extended far into today's communities, feeding even the youngest of buyers in neighborhood schools.vThe Chelsea School District has been piloting a farm-to-school project over the past year with full anticipation of its continuation this fall, said Food Service Director Karen Carty. "We have found that utilizing local foods not only helps the food budget, but also provides us with fresher-tasting, more nutritious products overall," Carty said. "We are proud to support our local farmers and have this partnership to be very beneficial." · Read the entire article.
State food program reaps rewards by Susan Simpson NewsOK Published 07/30/2008
Students with an eye for the environment and a taste for garden-fresh produce are in for a treat this fall at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. USAO has signed up for the state's Farm to School program, joining the University of Oklahoma and about 50 school districts that buy fresh fruits and vegetables from state growers. · Read the entire article.
Kale is Cool by Eva Sollberger Seven Days Published 07/30/2008
When did kale become so cool? Down at Burlington's Intervale Center, the Healthy City kids are growing vegetables, becoming farmers, volunteering in their community, working a summer job and changing the world, weed by weed. · Read the entire article.
From Farm to School: Improving Small Farm Viability and School Meals by Stacy Kish USDA: CSREES Published 07/29/2008
Improving the nutritional value of school meals is a growing priority among school systems across the United States. In an effort to provide a solution for school administrators, the USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) funded a coalition of school districts and farmers from four states to participate in a new program called "From Farm to School: Improving Small Farm Viability and School Meals." · Read the entire article.
New website to link Virginia farmers and schools by Joel Turner The Franklin News Post Published 07/28/2008
A new website is being designed by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service (VDACS) to help match up school system buyers with Virginia farmers. It's the first step in an effort to expand the purchase and use of Virginia food products in the state's school systems. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School ABC 13 WLOS Published 07/23/2008
Great coverage of the Southeast Regional Meeting highlighting farmers, chefs, students and the community coming together to work as one. · Read the entire article.
Coordinator hired for food program by Mackenzie Ryan Statesman Journal Published 07/22/2008
Oregon Department of Education recently hired Joan Ottinger to coordinate the department's Farm-to-School and School Garden programs. · Read the entire article.
Research project studies local food by Blythe Wachter Leader-Telegram Published 07/22/2008
The UW-Eau Claire Chippewa Valley Center for Economic Research and Development, which supplies basic data to help foster regional economic development, and UW-Extension have joined to work on the Western Wisconsin Local Food Project. UW-Extension provided a $10,000 grant for the project, which is examining how much local food is purchased and consumed in western Wisconsin. The project also seeks to support existing efforts aimed at increasing local food purchases and consumption by providing data and research analysis and outreach. · Read the entire article.
Solutions from within Washington County by Judy East Bangor News Published 07/21/2008
A Farm To School initiative is also supporting local purchasing, healthful eating, and increasing nutrition curriculum in our school systems. · Read the entire article.
A Threat to the Local Food Movement by Alan Merrill West Yellowstone News Published 07/21/2008
According to numerous studies, these local food programs help improve children's nutrition while providing family farms with a reliable market. They also promote the local economy and environmentally sustainable agriculture as well as help children and parents re-connect with the providers of their food. · Read the entire article.
Educators gather to study food initiative by Ashley Wilson Asheville Citizan Times Published 07/18/2008
Local newspaper covers the Southeast Regional Farm to School meeting in Asheville, NC · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-school liaison will provide guidance by Paris Achen Mail Tribune Published 07/17/2008
In a jab at childhood obesity, the Oregon Department of Education has hired a farm-to-school coordinator to work with the state agriculture department to help schools start their own farms and buy local fresh produce. · Read the entire article.
Village Feast by Don Guthrie Davis Real Estate Guide Published 07/17/2008
The Village Feast benefits the Davis Farm to School Connection, which supports programs within the Davis schools such as school gardens, second-grade farm visits, recycling programs and local produce in the school lunch program. · Read the entire article.
Using Our Kids to Destroy the Family Farm by Judith McGreary OpEd News Published 07/14/2008
Some school districts are taking action to provide better food for our kids. The rapidly-growing farm-to-school movement has been working to bring local, healthy, and sustainably-raised foods into the schools and reconnect children with the source of their food. As the evidence mounts about the nutrition and safety of grass-fed meats, some schools have started to integrate these animal products into their farm-to-school programs or source organic meats. · Read the entire article.
Farming regs 'housekeeping' by Vanessa Lynn Pinheiro The Litchfield Enquirer Published 07/11/2008
The current Litchfield Farm-Fresh Market is permitted as an accessory use to the school because of its Farm-to-School program. · Read the entire article.
Salem schools seeking new food director by Amanda McGregor The Salem News Published 07/10/2008
Among its work this summer, Jeffers said she and the parent group are pursuing grants for "farm-to-school" foods to get more fresh fruits and vegetables on the school tables. · Read the entire article.
Putting a face on home-grown produce by Jessica Klipa Bradenton Published 07/09/2008
John Matthews is a matchmaker of sorts. Through his newly established business, Suncoast Food Alliance, Matthews unites the two key players in delivering an exquisite meal to the dinner table: the chef and the local farmer. · Read the entire article.
School nutrition joins Virginia Department of Agriculture by Cathy Benson The Roanoke Times Published 07/09/2008
In order to get more locally-grown fresh fruit and vegetables into the diets of Virginia?s school children, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has created a Farm-to-School program and Web site. · Read the entire article.
What?s good for farmers by Anita Shelburne Daily Progress Published 07/09/2008
Richmond continues to try innovative ideas to support Virginia?s farmers. The latest is a program to link farm produce to colleges and universities, public and private grade schools in an effort to provide fresh foods to students and at the same time expand markets for farmers. Plus, organizers hope, the Farm-to-School program will help schoolchildren ? many of whom have never been on a farm ? to understand where food comes from and the importance of maintaining agriculture. · Read the entire article.
Report Tracks Anti-Obesity Efforts Nurse Week Published 07/08/2008
Lawmakers in 16 states enacted legislation to increase farm-to-school programs or to improve the nutritional quality of school breakfasts, lunches, á la carte selections or vending machine offerings. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School program will be topic Press Connects Published 07/07/2008
The Rural Health Network of South Central New York will host a free workshop on Farm-to-School programs from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. July 31 at Whitney Point Senior High School. Farm to School is an initiative that facilitates connections between school districts and local farms to improve nutrition and health education among elementary, middle and high school students. · Read the entire article.
Teens pick strawberries for city schools by Connor Boals Burlington Free Press Published 07/05/2008
The farm provides local produce for the Burlington school district and all of the strawberries the teens picked will be sent straight to the schools they attend. · Read the entire article.
Chef Proves School Lunch Can Be Healthy, Cheap by Eleanor Beardsley National Public Radio Published 07/02/2008
At the school, he prepares meals for about 800 students, using all fresh, local ingredients. The introduction of healthy school lunch programs, like this one, is one major reason France has been able to curb childhood obesity rates after two decades on the rise, according to two recent studies. · Read the entire article.
Plenty to boast about here in the 'highlands' by Barbara Lucks Snowmass Sun Published 07/02/2008
Back here in Mesa County, a new FARM TO SCHOOL program is establishing guaranteed local markets for fruit and vegetable producers, increasing the quality of nutrition for our children, and minimizing shipping. If there are a few less Palisade peaches and apples at the Aspen Farmer?s Market this fall, blame it on the school kids of Mesa County. They?re munching a local lunch. · Read the entire article.
Catawba Valley schools Charlotte Observer Published 06/29/2008
Catawba Elementary School's Child Nutrition division won second place in the national ?Farm to School Fruits and Vegetables? contest sponsored by the USDA. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-school: It?s what?s for lunch by James Raia News Review Published 06/27/2008
Gail Feenstra can?t get the embarrassingly small sum of 75 cents out of her mind. This is the amount spent on food per meal, per day for every child in federally funded school lunch programs. · Read the entire article.
Fresh off the Farm: Va. Program Connects Schools to Homegrown Food by Sandhya Somashekhar Washington Post Published 06/26/2008
State officials have launched a program designed to connect small Virginia farmers with schools in hopes of boosting the agricultural economy and encouraging children to eat organic, locally grown food. · Read the entire article.
Farmers take part in Farm to School Program by Ashley Hall KDRV News 12 Published 06/24/2008
Southern Oregon farmers are taking part in a program they hope will one day provide more locally grown food to area schools. The Farm To School Program would put local produce, flour, eggs, and other food products in school cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
Schools are taking the mystery out of the meat they serve by DeeDee Correll Los Angeles Times Published 06/23/2008
The precooked beef patties with the fake charcoal lines won't be on the menu at Castle View High School this fall. Instead, students will dine on freshly grilled hamburgers from grass-fed, hormone- and antibiotic-free cattle -- what is often described as natural or organic meat -- raised on the plains of eastern Colorado. · Read the entire article.
In search of food's 98 percent solution by Scott Exo The Oregonian Published 06/23/2008
The future for Oregon farmers and ranchers lies not in a futile race to grow and sell more and to do it more cheaply. Their success will be in growing and marketing high quality, highly differentiated, branded products with a credible sustainability story. · Read the entire article.
Eat local: State to deliver Va.-grown fruit, veggies to schools by Associated Press In Rich Published 06/19/2008
A new program has been launched by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to deliver locally grown fruit and vegetables to school cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-School program launched by Va. ag dept by Associated Press Daily Press Published 06/19/2008
The department's Farm-to-School program is a matchmaker for school food service directors who are seeking nutritious Virginia-grown farm products for their school menus. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-School Program Launched by Associated Press NBC29 Published 06/19/2008
Virginia schools spend more than $6 million annually on fresh produce, and the program is intended to deliver some of those dollars to in-state growers. · Read the entire article.
Students connecting with their roots by Linda Maness The Times Argus Published 06/15/2008
Vermont's schools are growing green. "Growing" is the word being emphasized at school these days, as many are planting their own gardens or contributing to a community garden. Focusing on whole, natural foods ? their production, harvest and preparation ? is one way that Vermont schools are responding to the deterioration of the eating habits and growing obesity rates of its children. Enter the farm-to-school program. · Read the entire article.
Students plant seed for idea by Eric Gaertner The Muskegon Chronicle Published 06/15/2008
The high school students in Kyle Fiebig's agri-science projects class recently played the role of farmer in the proposed program, except on a much smaller scale. Over a few weeks near the end of the school year, the students grew a couple varieties of lettuce that were fed to staff and students for lunch. Grown in the school's greenhouse, the lettuce was offered to 2,000 to 3,000 students during six lunch sessions. "The overall response was they want it back," Fiebig said. "I like the idea that the lettuce traveled all of 600 feet." · Read the entire article.
Tainted tomatoes hit Vt. by Daniel Barlow Rutland Herald Published 06/14/2008
Many schools still purchase their produce wholesale from corporations in California and Mexico because it is cheaper, he added. Twinfield will be part of the state's farm to school food program starting in the fall, he said, which should put more local, fresh food on the plates of students. · Read the entire article.
East Hill Notes The Ithaca Journal Published 06/14/2008
Worth noting given the increasing costs of transportation: The Cornell Farm to School Program is continuing to help community leaders and extension educators develop and sustain connections between New York farms and cafeterias in schools, universities and other institutions. The program also offers assistance to anyone interested in developing farm-to-school connections. For more information, visit farmtoschool.cce.cornell.edu. · Read the entire article.
Food for thought by Eric Gaertner The Muskegon Chronicle Published 06/14/2008
The days of school lunch lines filled with imported food offerings and food loaded with trans fat could be numbered. A county wide proposal that is just beginning to be thoroughly evaluated would have local schools saying goodbye to well-traveled carrots and greasy fries and hello to fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and meats that are most likely organic in nature. · Read the entire article.
Students grow lunches by Jennifer Moody Albany Democrat-Herald Published 06/14/2008
Salad greens grown at Seven Oak Middle School have already hit that cafeteria. Now, the greens will be served as part of the free lunches distributed every summer at various locations. Plenty of schools in the fertile Willamette Valley have gardens, but very few grow food to be consumed by students. That may change as food and transportation prices rise and schools look for new ways to motivate healthy choices. · Read the entire article.
District 81 Rep. candidates address conservation issues by Haley Hughes Aiken Standard Published 06/13/2008
S.C. House District 81 field questions: Would you support the S.C. Farm to School Act which, among other things, would encourage schools and farmers to work together to provide fresh produce for school snacks and meals? · Read the entire article.
?Strolling of the Heifers? Celebrates Dairy Farming by Tracy Sutton Lancaster Farming Published 06/13/2008
The epicenter of heifer funkiness ? or the ?cow-nter culture? if you will ?was on exuberant, flower-draped display last Saturday at Brattleboro, Vermont?s seventh annual ?Strolling of the Heifers.? The theme for the parade this year was ?Live Green.? School kids dressed as strawberries promoted their local farm to school program and held placards praising compost. · Read the entire article.
Tomatoes Join the List of School Inedible Edibles by Suzanne Guldimann Malibu Sufside News Published 06/12/2008
According to local farm advocates, the current salmonella outbreak, and other recent food scares that have led the U.S. Academy of Sciences this week to announce that vegetables and fruits are the ?leading vehicles? of food-borne illness in the United States, highlights the need for locally grown produce, and local accountability, instead of reliance on imported produce that may not meet local criteria for health and safety. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School program educates kids about local and healthy foods by Beth Beasley Blue Ridge Now Published 06/11/2008
'Thousands of Miles Fresher'- the local food slogan familiar to many in our area, now applies to food served in Henderson County schools. Growing Minds, the program that makes it possible, is a Farm to School Program of the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP), a non-profit organization based in Asheville. Cafeterias in all Henderson County Public Schools now receive foods such as apples, lettuce, spinach, watermelon, potatoes and tomatoes from as many as a dozen local and regional farms. · Read the entire article.
Grants available to state farmers Bladen Journal Published 06/09/2008
Farm to school grants available. · Read the entire article.
Keeping Up with the Jones, Tastefully by Diane Conners Great Lakes Bulletin News Service Published 06/09/2008
Thirty schools in northwest Lower Michigan now include locally grown fresh food in their menus?and soaring sales indicate students are glad to avoid typical cafeteria fare. · Read the entire article.
Hundreds of new laws take affect in Washington state by Rachel La Corte The Seattle Times Published 06/08/2008
A wide ranging measure sets up a farm to school program in the Department of Agriculture, sets up a grant program for schools, and much more. · Read the entire article.
$10,000 grant fuels healthy eating plan by Pamela H. Metaxas The Republican Published 06/04/2008
Eating healthy may mean loving your vegetables, too. An emphasis on healthy eating habits will be the focus of a program at the Gen. John J. Stefanik School thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Hidden Valley "Love Your Veggies" nationwide school lunch campaign. · Read the entire article.
Field trip leaves schoolchildren ripe with knowledge by Gwen Schoen The Sacramento Bee Published 06/04/2008
They have seen produce in grocery stores, but never sold like this, out in the open by people who actually grow the food. It gives them a whole new perspective. · Read the entire article.
Café Services donation benefits local Farm to School program Reformer.com Published 06/02/2008
Café Services, the food service provider for the Brattleboro Town Schools, has made a donation of $1,200 to help fund the Farm to School Program at Academy, Green Street and Oak Grove schools. · Read the entire article.
NCDA&CS secures U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to support four programs for N.C. farmers The Leland Tribune Published 06/02/2008
The Farm to School initiative serves to increase the number of North Carolina schools purchasing locally grown produce. A new program will be implemented with the grant money to supply schools with N.C. food products. · Read the entire article.
Crunching the local numbers by Susie Middleton Farm to Fork Published 06/02/2008
Everyone loves the new program, because it?s action-oriented. You could prove that with numbers ? the hundreds of kids who participated in outdoor classes like Math in the Garden and Read for Seeds this spring, or the hundreds of parent and teacher hours that fueled the speedy execution of the first in-school vegetable garden in West Tisbury. But numbers never tell the whole story. · Read the entire article.
Cook's Corner: Taste The Local Difference The Traverse City Record-Eagle Published 06/02/2008
The Taste the Local Difference Web site, www.localdifference.org, has also been updated with all the search options combined into one step; a local food exchange featuring "land wanted" or "farmer wanted" listings, farm to school plans, healthy eating and more. · Read the entire article.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT by Cindy Cantrell The Boston Globe Published 06/01/2008
As food service director for the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District, Janice Buxton of Nashua embraced recipes from a cookbook made available through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. After a little encouragement, she said, students have done the same. Buxton worked with food service manager Pam Patnode of Dunstable to institute a Farm Food Wednesday incorporating locally grown produce into school lunch recipes from "Fresh from the Farm: The Massachusetts Farm to School Cookbook" by Berkshire author Amy Cotler. · Read the entire article.
Keep it in Vermont by Carol Tashie The Times Argus Published 06/01/2008
What could your town do with $5 million? Or $1 million? Picture more farm-to-school partnerships, where our children are fed healthy, whole foods straight from our neighboring farmers. · Read the entire article.
Many Ore. districts unaware of local food purchase options by Associated Press KTVZ Published 06/01/2008
A survey by the Oregon Department of Agriculture has found that nearly half of Oregon's school food purchasers don't know they can buy from local producers. The Oregon Department of Education is expected to fill a companion position to Schreiber's this summer, making Oregon the first state to have companion farm-to-school program positions in the state departments of education and agriculture. · Read the entire article.
School districts are benefiting from providing local produce by Tamara Scully American Farm Published 06/01/2008
A flyer advertising the Buy Fresh, Buy Local Northwest Jersey chapter led Joanne Untamo, director of operations for Maschio?s Food Services, Inc., based in Flanders, to place a phone call that carried with it the potential to change the face of school lunches in northern New Jersey. The Foodshed Alliance, the non-profit that organizes the BFBL chapter, was more than ready to receive that call. · Read the entire article.
From Farm to Table in Portland Public Schools by Deborah Kane NW Kids Published 06/01/2008
Deborah Kane, Vice President of Ecotrust, talks about the wide scope of farm to school programs to create life-long healthy eaters, what programs exist in the Portland area, and how Portland Public Schools has begun incorporate these programs. · Read the entire article.
Let Them Eat Kale by Debra Lau Whelan School Library Journal Published 06/01/2008
Schools Get Serious about Nutrition: With America?s kids in danger of becoming obese, a growing number of schools are thinking outside the lunchbox. · Read the entire article.
Talking farm and food politics with the candidate by Ari LeVaux The Northcoast Journal Published 05/29/2008
As president, I would implement USDA policies that promote local and regional food systems, including assisting states to develop programs aimed at community supported farms. I also support a national farm-to-school program and am pleased that the Farm Bill provides more than $1 billion to expand healthy snacks in our schools. · Read the entire article.
WHS students get their hands dirty in internship program by Eric Anderson Register-Pajaronian Published 05/28/2008
The Watsonville High Agricultural Academy internship program helps students learn basic agriculture skills and about jobs in the field, while getting an idea of what it?s like to run a farm. · Read the entire article.
What we're doing for Maryland farmers by Roger Richardson The Herald-Mail Published 05/27/2008
These laws include the Chesapeake 2010 Trust Fund, which will provide about $12 million for cover crops and on-farm best management practices to help the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, and the farm-to-school bill which may offer additional markets to our producers while bringing locally-grown products to school children. · Read the entire article.
Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom hands out 22 grants by Bob Meyer Brownfield Network Published 05/27/2008
The Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom program has announced more than $9,700 in grants to 22 educational programs in the state. The program awards up to $500 to groups who sponsor programs or projects that promote agricultural literacy. T · Read the entire article.
School Food Matters by Ranea al-Tikriti New Haven Independent Published 05/26/2008
The New Haven Food Policy Council released a ?challenge? to government at all levels, in the form of a ?primer? that discusses the obesity problem, the importance of school food in students? diets, and ideas for action. · Read the entire article.
Aging farmer nurtures younger generation with lease, lessons by Elizabeth Lee The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published 05/25/2008
As farm groups and agriculture schools seek ways to encourage more young people to work the land, property is changing hands. Atlanta's suburbs are filled with subdivisions that once were pastures or crop land. · Read the entire article.
Salem workers, parents scramble to keep school lunches in-house by Amanda McGregor The Salem News Published 05/23/2008
Attempting to keep the school lunch program in-house: The school committee is considering privatization because the food program is losing money, but lunch workers and local parents say their new plan will tweak personnel, bring back cooking from scratch and take advantage of discounted food through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. · Read the entire article.
Districts quizzed on buying local food by Mitch Lies The Capital Press Published 05/23/2008
Nearly half of Oregon's school food purchasers don't know whether they even have the option of buying local food. That was one of the surprise answers to come from a survey the Oregon Department of Agriculture is conducting with Oregon school food buyers. · Read the entire article.
Meeting the acting surgeon general: the rewards of teaching by Elof Carlson Times Beacon Record Published 05/23/2008
The Surgeon General is looking around the country for good models. He suggested a good one for Long Island, a farm to school program that would introduce Long Island vegetables and fruits directly from farmers to the schools, benefiting both in a "win-win" approach. · Read the entire article.
Let's help local farms, school lunchrooms by Julia della Croce The Journal News Published 05/22/2008
Parents need to speak up to their school boards and elected officials to make healthy school food a requirement and support initiatives for farm-to-school programs. Fresh, nourishing food should be the right of everyone, not just the privileged, and its availability to our children should be a public goal. · Read the entire article.
Off the Aramark by Betsy Yagla New Haven Advocate Published 05/20/2008
In Connecticut, more than 80 school districts participate in the state?s ?farm-to-school? program, which encourages schools to buy local and provides suggestions for adding food and nutrition into the school curriculum. Nearly every district involved serves local apples, and some serve other fruits and vegetables too. · Read the entire article.
Economics, ecology meet in lunchroom by Aaron French Contra Costa Times Published 05/20/2008
Today's children, largely due to poor diet, are the first generation in U.S. history predicted to have shorter life spans than their parents. And while Americans spend less than 10 percent of their household budget on food, we spend more than 17 percent of our national budget on healthcare. Effecting change requires a two-pronged approach: 1) Change the food that is served, and 2) Educate children about where their food comes from. · Read the entire article.
The Rise of the 'Locavore' by Pallavi Gogoi Business Week Published 05/20/2008
As many as 1,200 school districts around the country, from Alabama to Iowa, have linked up with local farms to serve fresh vegetables and fruit to children. · Read the entire article.
Schools struggle to feed children by Ashley Wilson Citizen Times Published 05/19/2008
With drastic increases in food, gas and labor costs and little or no financial support from the state or their local school districts, child nutrition programs across Western North Carolina and the state are finding it harder to feed their students. · Read the entire article.
Bloomfield Schools Farm to School Program NBC30 Published 05/09/2008
Farm to School in Connecticut · Read the entire article.
Heifer grants keep it green by Bob Audette The Reformer Published 05/06/2008
Since its inception in 2001, the Heifer Educational Fund has awarded more than $125,000 to area schools for projects such as farm-to-school food initiatives, the creation of school gardens and greenhouses, soil conservation and forestry work. · Read the entire article.
Costs hard to swallow by Ryan McCarthy Appeal Democrat Published 05/06/2008
Food prices, increasing more than 4 percent in the Unites States last year, have hit schools here. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the food cost climb is the largest since 1990 and that a similar increase is expected this year. · Read the entire article.
Farm To School: Ecotrust Keeps It Local by Lizbeth M. Brown, Esq. Eco Times Published 05/05/2008
Michelle Markesteyn, Ph.D. is a major force at Food & Farms, as the Farm To School and School Garden Program Coordinator. Farm To School programs enable schools to provide students with healthy, locally-sourced meals, incorporate nutrition-based curriculum, and provide experiential learning through farm visits, gardening, and recycling. · Read the entire article.
School lunch feeling the crunch: Rising food and fuel costs mean higher meal prices by Jennifer Keefe Foster's Daily Democrat Published 05/04/2008
According to Peterson, one nationwide school food initiative that all districts adamantly said would not be compromised is healthy eating awareness; namely the Farm-to-School program. While Peterson said the rising costs of food and fuel are a concern to such programs, which include buying fresh goods and transporting food from farms to schools, "almost everyone is adamant that they won't go back on the changes they've made to school lunches. They're trying to not compromise the nutritional integrity of their programs." · Read the entire article.
Lawmakers Push For Better School Nutrition by Amy Winterfeld National Conference for State Legislatures Published 05/03/2008
Kids and local farmers all benefit when states support farm-to- school programs that make it easier to bring local produce to cafeteria tables. Making healthy food choices available to school kids is a priority for many lawmakers. You are what you eat, they say - and plenty of school kids are testing that theory every day. To keep kids healthy, legislators are taking a look at how to help them with nutritious choices at school. From 2005 through 2007, state lawmakers enacted about 46 bills related to school nutrition standards. · Read the entire article.
Young sprouts learn their garden lessons well by Deborah Donovan Daily Herald Published 05/03/2008
· Read the entire article.
Grant to promote local produce by John Arendt Summerland Review Published 05/01/2008
A local organization would like to see Summerland-grown produce served at the high school?s salad bar. The Summerland Food Action Coalition is applying for a $20,000 grant for its proposed Farm to School Salad Bar Program. · Read the entire article.
D is for Dirt by Julie Flaherty Tufts Journal Published 05/01/2008
School gardens are springing up like daffodils. But will they make children enjoy science, respect the earth and occasionally eat their veggies? An overview of school garden programs around the country and the work of Tufts' graduates to further the school garden movement. · Read the entire article.
Be Fresh: Get a refresher on what sustainable agriculture really is by Brandon Grace Independent Mail Published 04/30/2008
The sustainable agriculture initiatives in this community seek to foster programs and systems aimed at helping our top-notch producers get their wares to the customers in this community. The programs can be as complex as ?Grow with Me!? South Carolina?s first farm to school program we are launching in August, or as simple as extending the Anderson County Farmer?s Market season. · Read the entire article.
Teaming local food with area students by Natalie Ragus The Lompoc Record Published 04/30/2008
Small farmers and school districts along the Central Coast may soon team up in a partnership designed to help bring local produce directly from the family farm into school cafeterias. While logistics such as pricing and distribution have traditionally made ?Farm to School? programs difficult to get off the ground, an innovative cooperative of local farmers and ranchers may help mitigate some of these issues. · Read the entire article.
Produce law just a start, educators say by Susan Gordon The News Tribune Published 04/27/2008
Public schools would be allowed to pay more for Washington produce as part of a new law promoted as a way to improve child nutrition while supporting Evergreen State farmers. The $1.5 million measure provides $570,000 in school nutrition grants beginning next fall. · Read the entire article.
Law brings state's harvest to lunchrooms by Valoria Loveland Yakima Herald-Republic Published 04/26/2008
This farm-to-school opportunity will help support the profitability of Washington farms and preserve those beautiful open spaces that we all love. And every parent knows that good habits start early. With Local Farms, Healthy Kids, we'll help young people make the right choices for a lifetime. · Read the entire article.
Struggling U.S. farm bill ?not that simple? by Alice Bagley Whitman College Pioneer Published 04/24/2008
Title X of the bill even provides funding for purchasing from community garden projects and other locally based initiatives. This is a huge step forward towards ?farm-to-school? programs, which have been advocated on the grassroots level in many communities, including Walla Walla. · Read the entire article.
Cow visits Bozeman school by Beth Saboe Montana's News Station Published 04/24/2008
Milk is something that most kids drink on a regular basis, but these days many youngsters may not realize where that glass of milk comes from. But one Bozeman school is working to educate students on the origin of their food, and on Wednesday students at Hawthorne Elementary school got a firsthand look at dairy cows and learned how to milk them. · Read the entire article.
'Farm to School Conference promotes buying school food localy by Melissa Mecija KSBY 6 Action News Published 04/24/2008
Agriculture leaders promote a program that aims to improve nutrition in schools, and help the local economy. Organizers held the first "Farm to School Conference" in San Luis Obispo Thursday afternoon. The program encourages healthy eating for students by encouraging schools to buy from local farmers and ranchers. · Read the entire article.
Schools struggle to dine locally by Kristen Wyatt The Washington Times Published 04/23/2008
A bill awaiting the governor's signature aims to change that. It's part of a national Farm to School movement that is headed to Maryland to encourage more local produce on cafeteria trays. The twin missions of boosting local farmers while trimming fuel costs for shipping food long distances received unanimous approval from Maryland legislators. · Read the entire article.
Home-grown school meals by Editorial Board The Baltimore Sun Published 04/22/2008
With justified concern about childhood obesity and the economic plight of some of Maryland's 12,000 farms, it's a shame that more local produce hasn't gotten to local schools. But a new program for the next school year rightly aims to help by adding more Maryland farm products to school meals. · Read the entire article.
Gonzales Proposes Plan to Bring Fresher Foods into Local Schools by Evan On Truth and Exploration Published 04/22/2008
State Representative Lee Gonzales (D-Flint Township) today introduced House Bill 5967, a bill that would make it easier for school districts to purchase food from local farmers for school lunch programs, bringing more fresh fruits and vegetables into our cafeterias and boosting the local economy. Gonzales' plan would streamline the bidding process for school food administrators by increasing schools' small purchase threshold (SPT) for food procurement to $100,000, up from $19,650. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-School movement comes to Md. by Kristen Wyatt The York Dispatch Published 04/22/2008
Maryland's bill would put educators in touch with state Department of Agriculture marketing officials to figure out how to put products like Hochmuth's berries in schools. Officials in other states have said schools and farms alike are enthusiastic about the idea of local food in cafeterias -- they just need a go-between. · Read the entire article.
Maryland joins effort to put local food in school cafeterias by Kristen Wyatt Associated Press Published 04/21/2008
The strawberries just turning red on one Eastern Shore field here could end up on plates almost anywhere ? except on cafeteria trays just down the road. A bill awaiting the governor's signature aims to change that. It's part of a national Farm-To-School movement that's headed to Maryland to encourage more local produce on cafeteria trays. · Read the entire article.
Maryland's Governor Cites Ag Accomplishments American Agriculturalist Published 04/21/2008
HB 696 and SB 158 establish the Jane Lawton Farm-to-School Program in the Department of Agriculture to promote state agriculture and farm products to children through school meal and classroom programs. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-School Success Stirring State Action by Diane Conners Great Lakes Bulletin News Service Published 04/21/2008
In separate steps that are aimed at bolstering the state?s burgeoning ?farm to school? movement, a Michigan legislator and the state agricultural commission are each trying to make it easier for schools to serve more fresh, locally grown foods in their student cafeterias. · Read the entire article.
Farmers can't sell to state's schools by Associated Press The Baltimore Sun Published 04/21/2008
The strawberries just turning red on an Eastern Shore field here could end up on plates almost anywhere - just not on cafeteria trays at a middle school down the road. · Read the entire article.
Thinking Outside the Lunchbox for Healthy School Food by California Endowment Videos Published 04/21/2008
About 29 million children eat school lunches every day. The five foods those kids are most likely to see on their plates are pizza, chocolate chip cookies, corn, French fries or chicken nuggets, according to the American School Food Service Association. School food is a major part of many children's diets, and right now it's not doing their health many favors. A panel discussion (with Rodney Taylor, director of nutrition services at the Riverside Unified School District; Matt Sharp, director of the Los Angeles office of California Food Policy Advocates; Elizabeth Medrano, parent and community organizer for the Healthy School Food Coalition; and moderator Moira Berry, program manager of the Farm to Institution project at the Center for Food and Justice) examined innovative ways to transform the school food system. · Read the entire article.
Program dishes up healthier students by Bryan Painter The Oklahoman Published 04/20/2008
Maybe they've seen the fields and the gardens. Undoubtedly, they've seen the food on a table. But have Oklahoma students made a connection? And really, why should they? Oklahoma's Farm to School Initiative is answering that question at more and more schools throughout the state. · Read the entire article.
Md. joins Oklahoma in movement to put local food in schools by Associated Press KTen Published 04/20/2008
A bill in Maryland would allow that state to join Oklahoma and others in establishing a Farm-To-School program. The goal of such programs is to encourage the placement of more local produce on cafeteria trays. The program has twin missions of boosting local farmers while trimming fuel costs for shipping food long distances. · Read the entire article.
Parents push for organic school lunches by Erin Jordan Des Moines Register Published 04/18/2008
Nearly 300 Iowa City parents have signed a petition to get more organic, locally grown food into their youngsters' school lunches. The petition asks the board to implement a wellness policy requiring the district's schools to use fresh, locally grown and organic ingredients "to the extent possible." · Read the entire article.
Better meals for students by Cathe Olson Lee Central Coast Newspapers Published 04/18/2008
Some schools in the United States are implementing Farm-to-School Programs to improve the quality of school meals and the effectiveness of nutrition education. These programs not only offer healthy, local foods to students, they provide hands-on educational experiences to connect children with the source of their food. Local farmers benefit from direct sales of their products, which helps the community as well. · Read the entire article.
Earth Day offers a world of good by Christa Buchanan C & G News Published 04/16/2008
To commemorate Earth Day, April 22, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen and its Earth Works urban garden ministry are holding a dinner event featuring fresh, seasonal food and presentations on the importance of local foods and maintaining a connection to the environment. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School by Keagan Harsha WCAX News Published 04/16/2008
These kids are learning the ins and outs of agriculture thanks to a $12,000 grant from the agriculture agency. It's all part of a national farm-to-school program that brings farmers and their products into the classroom. · Read the entire article.
Junior Iron Chef by Melissa Pasanen Burlington Free Press Published 04/15/2008
On Saturday, the Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Expo filled in for kitchen stadium and the not-so-secret challenge ingredient was a previously provided list of seasonally available Vermont ingredients, including dairy and eggs, maple syrup and honey, apples, root vegetables, winter squash, sprouts, and some grains. The road to victory was to impress the panel of judges (which included this reporter) by using at least five of these ingredients to make tasty and nutritious dishes that might be recreated affordably and served successfully in a school cafeteria. · Read the entire article.
Local produce is good for kids and economy by Kim Pasciuto San Luis Obispo County Published 04/15/2008
Children get almost two-thirds of their daily nutrition during school. By teaching better eating habits and providing fresh, local, healthy food at school, Farm to School programs lead to healthier lives for children. · Read the entire article.
Students reinvent their lunch at Jr. Iron Chef by Matt Ryan Burlington Free Press Published 04/14/2008
Students hungering for better school lunches have taken matters into their own hands. Twenty-three middle school and 12 high school teams, each with five students, prepared potential school lunches at Vermont's first Jr. Iron Chefs, held at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction on Saturday. Judges graded the dishes on taste, use of Vermont products and ability to be replicated for mass consumption. The students' recipes will be featured in a cookbook and could soon be served at their schools. · Read the entire article.
Schools' fresh foods initiative The Post and Courier Published 04/14/2008
Twenty-five schools statewide will have the opportunity to participate in the fresh food program, supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Awards will be made competitively, based on the willingness of school officials to work with local farmers to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables. · Read the entire article.
Jr Iron Chef Stuck in Vermont Published 04/12/2008
Mmm, something smells good. Middle and high school students from all over the state of Vermont compete in Jr Iron Chef which aims to celebrate local food, showcase VT seasonal produce and promote healthy local-food dishes in schools. · Read the entire article.
Tools for Change ? One Letter Leads to Legislation by Beth Collins Lunch Lessons Published 04/11/2008
What a few choice words can do to stimulate policy that translates into real change through a local non-profit's e-newsletter after the local paper wouldn't publish it! · Read the entire article.
Farm to School teaches kids to eat local by Mary Barter The Durango Herald Published 04/09/2008
Student Nutrition Services Director Krista Garand recently purchased 650 pounds of ground beef from Fox Fire Farms as a result of the district's involvement in the local Farm to School Program. Since 2004, local farmers and ranchers have been meeting with district health and nutrition staff to put more local farm-fresh foods on students' breakfast and lunch plates and to teach good eating habits and attempt to reduce obesity rates among schoolchildren. · Read the entire article.
Fresh Food Program Promotes Healthy Eating Habits Among Children Illinois Ag Connection Published 04/09/2008
· Read the entire article.
Farm to School Food Program Channel 9 WSYR Published 04/04/2008
School districts are trying to save money, boost the economy, and avoid food recalls by doing one thing: buying local. They're participating in the national Farm to School program. In 1997, only six school districts participated. Now, there are nearly 2,000 programs in 39 states. · Read the entire article.
Fresh Food Program Promotes Healthy Eating Habits Among Children by Stacy Kish USDA: CSREES Published 04/03/2008
Gary Cuneen founded the advocacy group Seven Generations Ahead (SGA) in 2001, located in Oak Park, Ill., to find local solutions to global environmental problems. The group offers a comprehensive "farm-to-school" program called Fresh from the Farm. · Read the entire article.
Agriculture grant to help promote fresh fruit and vegetable consumption South Carolina Headlines Published 04/02/2008
Students in several South Carolina elementary public schools will be munching on fresh carrots or peaches in their classrooms and hallways next school year. A $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is partnering the South Carolina Department of Education?s Office of School Food Services and Nutrition with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture to work with local farmers to purchase locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetables program. The grant funds will provide fruit baskets inside classrooms, kiosks in the hallways and other innovative approaches to give students the opportunity to grab fresh fruit or vegetable snacks throughout the school day. The initiative will operate in 25 schools. · Read the entire article.
Farm-To-School Conference A Big Success by Kay Liss Lincoln County News Published 04/02/2008
A fairly heavy snowfall did not stop registrants for the Maine Farm to School conference from attending the all-day program hosted by Focus on Agriculture in Rural Maine Schools (F.A.R.M.S.) at the Chewonki Center in Wiscasset March 28. · Read the entire article.
South School Children Hear Stories of Maple Sugaring Village Soup Published 04/01/2008
Staff from Maine Gold were invited by the second grade teaching team of the South School in Rockland to read stories of Maine agriculture. The focus of last week's stories was Maine's fifth season, maple sugaring. · Read the entire article.
On the menu: Town hall meeting focuses on school food by Diane R. Stepp Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published 04/01/2008
Wondering about what goes into your kids stomach at school? A group of east Cobb parents have organized a town hall meeting for 7 p.m. on April 17 at Sope Creek Elementary that will bring state and local education decision makers, legislators physicians, nutritionists, parents and students together to talk about healthier choices. · Read the entire article.
(Fresh) Food Fight by Jessica A. Knoblauch EJ Magazine Published 04/01/2008
Farm to school may be a recipe for success, but barriers prevent these programs from taking hold. · Read the entire article.
Program for schools serves locally grown veggies by Jennifer Justus The Tennessean Published 03/31/2008
A national farm-to-school effort is putting produce from local farmers on some Tennessee students' cafeteria trays. With childhood obesity on the rise, naysayers have been known to place blame on the kids, insisting they prefer cupcakes over carrots. But proponents of a nonprofit National Farm to School program believe the key to healthier eating in cafeterias is education ? and access. · Read the entire article.
Oregon's school-lunch crunch by Maya Blackmun The Oregonian Published 03/29/2008
In the geography of a public school lunch, lessons can be learned of faraway places. Teachers at Archer Glen Elementary School could serve them up daily if students traced their school lunches to their origins. · Read the entire article.
Vt. students compete for top chef status Burlington Free Press Published 03/28/2008
Thirty five teams of Middle and High School students from across the state compete for the title of Vermont?s first Jr. Iron Chefs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 12 at the Champlain Valley Exposition. The teams of 3-5 students each have 90 minutes to create 1-2 delicious dishes using seasonal, local foods, which can be easily prepared for school food service menus.Celebrity judges then sample each dish, judging them on taste, best/greatest use of local ingredients, creativity, and feasibility of using the recipes as part of school food menus. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School Lunch Table by Annie Bell Muzaurieta The Daily Green Published 03/28/2008
The National Farm to School Program, a non-profit that aims to connect farmers with nearby school cafeterias, has emerged to address the growing effort to get kids to eat fresh produce. The program provides schools with produce, meats, and dairy products from area farmers who have it fresh, according to the article. In 1997, only six local programs existed, but now there are nearly 2,000 programs in 39 states. · Read the entire article.
Fresh from farm: Change state rules to help school menus Battle Creek Enquirer Published 03/28/2008
The Michigan Land Use Institute says schools that have adopted its farm-to-school program have seen increases in meal participation. A new scratch-cooking effort utilizing many local farm products at Glen Lake Schools has boosted lunch participation by 50 percent in one year, according to the institute, and the number of kids eating breakfast at Frankfort-Elberta Schools has nearly doubled with the school-to-farm effort. Offering more fresh, local produce in school meals is healthier for students while also emphasizing the connection with food grown in their own communities. · Read the entire article.
A harvest of patience by Kathy Hanson The DesMoines Register Published 03/27/2008
The Berry Patch Farm and Storybook Orchard have been featured in Iowa State University Extension's Farm to School project. Sponsored by ISU's Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management Program at the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the project aimed to increase school foodservice directors', parents' and students' awareness of available locally grown foods and their benefits. · Read the entire article.
School food?s nearly home grown by Tad Sooter Bainbridge Island Review Published 03/26/2008
A bill passed in the state Legislature?s recently adjourned session and expected to be signed by the governor, is designed to clear a path for farmers and school districts to get local produce into the lunchroom. The bill allows districts to favor Washington-grown products when awarding contracts. It also establishes a ?farm to school program? and a grant program for purchasing Washington produce with $1.4 million allocated for kick starting pilot projects. · Read the entire article.
Cafeteria offers a taste of nutrition by Geoff Moore Lincoln Journal Published 03/26/2008
If you were caught up in the festivities and family gatherings associated with the Easter weekend, you might have missed the fact that March is National Nutrition Month ? a nutrition education and information campaign created by the American Dietetic Association. · Read the entire article.
From farm field to school cafeterias by Robin Horrigan Parenting Project Published 03/26/2008
Farm to School connects schools with local farmers to provide fresh and local food. Students get healthy lunches, learn the value and benefit of fresh foods, the local farmers stay in business, which helps the local economy and the environment gets some relief in the reduced packaging and shipping. · Read the entire article.
Gross School Cafeteria Food? Go Organic! by Whole Earth Generation You Tube Published 03/26/2008
Mike Botticello meets with kids from Hawthorne Elementary, where the school cafeteria food is provided by local organic farmers. The program is provided by 'Farm to School' a organization committed to making sure kids eat healthy, organically grown meals. Mike visits the local farms to see where all this great food comes from. · Read the entire article.
Food program brings together schools, farmers by G. Jeffrey MacDonald USA Today Published 03/24/2008
The National Farm to School Program, a non-profit effort to connect farmers with nearby school cafeterias, is going strong. In 1997, only six local programs existed, but now nearly 2,000 programs operate in 39 states. That means about 9% (11,000) of the nation's 124,000 public and private K-12 schools incorporate their neighbors' bounty into their menus. · Read the entire article.
Teachers find their lesson in kids' food by Mel Huff Times Argus Published 03/21/2008
Since 2000, FEED (Vermont Food Education Every Day) has been developing solutions to hunger by connecting the "classroom, community and cafeteria." The farm-to-school program was developed by Food Works, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont and Shelburne Farms. · Read the entire article.
Emily Jackson convinces tough critics to eat healthy and locally New Life Journal Published 03/19/2008
Moms and dads know it can be quite difficult to get children excited about eating even an average vegetable, not to mention the weird looking ones, like heirloom varieties. But, Emily Jackson is up for the challenge and gets area children engaged with fresh, local food daily as program director for Growing Minds (GM), a farm to school initiative though Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Program (ASAP). · Read the entire article.
N.W. Michigan Growers, Educators Pack Farm-to-School Conference by Patty Cantrell Great Lakes Bulletin News Service Published 03/19/2008
More than 300 people attended a historic conference in Traverse City, Michigan last week aimed at helping school administrators, food service workers, teachers, and students prepare and serve fresher, healthier food at schools and camps. · Read the entire article.
A healthy option of locally grown by Editorial Board The Seattle Times Published 03/16/2008
The "Local Farms ? Healthy Kids Act" promotes all Washington-grown food ? fruits, vegetables, grains, meat and dairy. The legislation facilitates a farm-to-school program by eliminating bureaucratic impediments to buying local products, including lowest-cost bidding. · Read the entire article.
From farm to foodbank by Mel Huff The Times Argus Published 03/16/2008
Gleaning project brings fresh veggies to low-income tables through Salvation Farms, program of the Vermont Foodbank. · Read the entire article.
State Law Slows Farm-to-School Progress by Beth Collins Great Lakes Bulletin News Service Published 03/16/2008
Here we were, 330 of the region?s professionals in school education, nutrition, and health, working to nudge fresh, wholesome local food into the center of the plate in our schools? dining rooms. But what did we find, in the course of our conversations, is perhaps the greatest obstacle to that important goal? Our own state government. · Read the entire article.
School, immigrant groups receive funds The Forum Published 03/15/2008
The White Earth project will use the funds to strengthen student knowledge of American Indian food systems on the Indian reservation. · Read the entire article.
Farm-to-schools legislation? It's a win for everyone by Michael Shepard, Sarah Jenkins and Bill Lee Yakima Herald-Republic Published 03/14/2008
Local schools will soon be able to buy more locally grown meat and produce for their lunch programs, thanks to a measure that finished its legislative journey this week and now heads to Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is expected to sign it. · Read the entire article.
Bill links local farmers, schools by Andy Campbell The Bellingham Herald Published 03/13/2008
A bill passed by state legislators in Olympia appropriates $1.5 million to better connect schools and other state-run institutions with local farms. The bill, which passed both houses with just a single vote against it, requests about $1 million of the total for the Farm to School and low-income snack programs. Other parts of the funding go toward a farm to food bank program and other nutritional programs. · Read the entire article.
Mystery meat for our kids? by Rebecca Clarren High Country News Published 03/13/2008
The Farm to School Movement has been around for over a decade now and according to the Farm to School network, 38 states now host such programs, involving more than 10,000 schools. · Read the entire article.
State Legislature Passes Local Farms Healthy Kids Bill by Tom Geiger Press Release: Washington Environmental Council Published 03/11/2008
Today the state legislature passed the Local Farms ? Healthy Kids bill (SSB 6483). Votes were very much bi-partisan and essentially unanimous in both the House and Senate. A key benefit of this legislation will make it easier for schools to buy locally grown food ? providing markets for local farmers and nutritious, fresh local food for our children. As a package, this bill will become the most comprehensive local foods program in the nation. · Read the entire article.
North Hampton Around the Schools by Tamara Le Seacoast Online Published 03/07/2008
Janet Gorman presented information to the board on the New Hampshire Farm to School Program, a collaboration that would enable North Hampton students to have locally grown fresh organic produce on the school lunch menu for USDA prices. · Read the entire article.
The Cafeteria/Classroom Convergence by Mike Buzalka Food Management Published 03/04/2008
· Read the entire article.
Ground Beef Recall a Serious Downer for Montana Schools by Kisha Lewellyn Schlegel New West Living Published 03/04/2008
As the wasted pounds add up, many school employees, parents and students are questioning more than what?s for lunch. They are questioning the very safety of our current food system. For Robin Vogler, the Somers Middle School Food-Service Director, the recall is, ?more reason than ever to pursue local food. · Read the entire article.
Md. delegates hear Farm-to-School program testimony by Stephanie Jordan American Farm Published 03/04/2008
Last week Maryland delegates heard testimony in support of House Bill 696, which would establish the Jane Lawton Farm-to-School Program. The purpose of the bill is to promote and facilitate the sale of Maryland farm products to state schools and facilities. · Read the entire article.
Restore the 'buy local' mandate by Senator Ginny Lyons The Times Argus Published 03/02/2008
Congress must resist the USDA's undermining of the farm-to-school program. This local food initiative helps children develop eating habits that defend against diet-related disease. It supports all farmers, not just those who grow fruits and vegetables. · Read the entire article.
Wash. measure would encourage farm-to-school relationships by Rachel La Corte Capital Press Published 03/01/2008
The potatoes still need to be planted, as do the squash, but at Kirsop Farm, Genine Bradwin and Colin Barricklow are readying their land for the abundance of vegetables that will go to farmers markets, co-ops and local schools. A small portion of their bounty - mostly potatoes, squash and salad mix - goes to the Olympia School District, which uses fresh fruit and vegetables from about eight local farmers for lunches in its 18 schools. · Read the entire article.
WA measure would encourage farm-to-school relationships by Rachel La Corte Examiner Published 03/01/2008
The measure would help cut through some of the red tape that can prevent schools from getting local food - exempting schools from having to go through a competitive bidding process when they make large purchases of Washington grown food or food that was grown and processed in Washington state. · Read the entire article.
States that have, or are considering, farm-to-school programs by Associated Press Seattle Post-Intelligencer Published 03/01/2008
Summary of states with farm to school policy. · Read the entire article.
Provide safe, healthy meal options by Mark Vallianatos and Moira Beery Pasadena Star News Published 03/01/2008
In support of farm to school: With increased funding and a renewed commitment to providing truly healthy meal options, we would face fewer nightmare scenarios of untraceable tainted ingredients, and school food would no longer be a "downer," but an exciting component of a healthy school environment. · Read the entire article.
Farm to School by Jeannie Prescott KSAX TV News Published 02/29/2008
Food usually travels about 1,500 miles before it arrives on our plates. But today at Roosevelt Elementary School in Willmar, students ate fresh rolls delivered that morning from Benson Bakery. This is not the first time locally grown and produced food has landed on their plates, thanks to the Farm To School program. · Read the entire article.
Students aren't hip to the beet generation by Betsy Hammond The Oregonian Published 02/28/2008
Since last February, elementary students have been offered local produce twice each month in the Harvest of the Month program -- squash in November, cherry cobbler in December, pears in January. But it doesn't mean the kids have to love beets. · Read the entire article.
Support Our Local Farmers Letter to the Editor by State Senator James L. Seward The Daily Star Published 02/28/2008
Farm to School legislation authorized the purchase of New York farm products by schools, universities and other educational institutions. It's been instrumental in ensuring that local farm products reach our school cafeterias, benefiting children and farmers alike. · Read the entire article.
Even if you wince, don't look away by Deborah Kane The Oregonian Published 02/28/2008
When we remember that the line between agricultural issues and health issues is paper thin, we have a real chance at crafting solutions that result in healthier children and a healthier farm economy. · Read the entire article.
Fresh beets on the school lunch menu by Michael Rollins The Oregonian Published 02/27/2008
Portland Public Schools, in collaboration with Ecotrust, has been trying to serve locally-grown fruit and produce all year in school lunches. At Meriwether Lewis Elementary School in Southeast Portland, the regular pizza lunch and taco lunch this day included optional helpings of beets, which were baked whole, then sliced. This video is of lunch on Feb. 27, 2008. · Read the entire article.