Happy Thanksgiving
As the farm to school movement grows, this newsletter highlights pivotal policies, news, publications, and events. Please contact us if you have any comments or suggestions.
What options do you have when building the supply chain between farmers and institutional food service operations? This question was answered in-depth at the short course for Scaling-up Distribution Options for Farm to Insitution Programs. View the PowerPoints and Notes on the Forum.
PUBLICATIONS
Child Nutrition Policy Documents National Farm to School Network
Every four or five years, there is an opportunity for all of those concerned with the health of our nation’s children to evaluate, defend, and improve the federal Child Nutrition Programs. The time is ripe to voice ideas that include locally and regionally grown foods in national meal programs. Click here for more info.
NEW VIDEO
Serving Up Nutrition Education in Schools Center for Food & Justice
This slideshow highlights a Harvest of the Month Program that featured locally grown foods in the Riverside Unified School District in CA. Enjoy!
December 10, 2008:Virginia Farm to School Conference, Charlottesville, VIRGINIA
January 16-17, 2009:CASA--Connect Locally: Food, Farms, and Communities, Frederick, MARYLAND
February 21-22, 2009:OEFFA--The Changing Climate of Agriculture, Granville, OHIO
February 26-28, 2009:MOSES--The 20th Annual Organic Farming Conference, La Crosse, WISCONSIN
March 19-21, 2009:Going the Distance and Shortening It: From Farm to Cafeteria, Portland, OREGON
March 28, 2009:2nd Annual Jr. Iron Chef Competition, Essex Junction, VERMONT
Helpful Links
Spotlight
Thanksgiving for Farm to School
With the Holiday season among us, we give thanks for the bountiful farm to school programs nourishing kids and communities. Here's a smorgasbord of recent comments sent to us from across the country:
"I am starting an organic farm at my public school this Spring to help feed needy families in our area. I would like to be a part of this growing movement and feel solidarity from others doing the same. Thanks!" Chris Sartain, teacher, Georgia
"I would love to learn more about your organization, and bring local food to my high school!" Fiona Baker, student, Massachusetts
"Very exciting to see sites like this! I am a Registered Nurse, with a Nutrition background, and a desire to work with school gardens, and nutrition / sustainable agriculture education for kids! Very excited to learn more - thanks for being here!" Ellen Zygmontowicz, registered nurse, Arizona
"I am a parent with a motivated group of parents and teachers who would like to make the local farm to school connection in our school and/or district. We could use all the help we can get about the process of making this happen!" Ellicia Milne, parent, Washington
Featured Profile
Cornucopia of Resources
Check out the abundant harvest season for farm to school resources:
CALIFORNIA: www.cafarmtoschool.org...great county by county listings of farm to school programs in the Golden State.
MICHIGAN: www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu...If you’re a food service director who wants to purchase local products for your school meals program, check out this site to review and download "Purchasing Michigan Products: A Step by Step Guide."
OKLAHOMA: www.okfarmtoschool.com...a rich portal of information on growers, schools, and events in Oklahoma.
Also, New Mexico's Farm to Table has a great new website: www.farmtotablenm.org/fts as does Muskegon County (MI) Farm to School Project: www.healthyschoolmeals.org.
Coming Soon
Going the Distance and Shortening It: From Farm to Cafeteria
SAVE THE DATE! MARCH 19-21, 2009
The 4th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference will be held in Portland, Oregon from March 19-21st. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from and network with hundreds from across the country working on getting local food onto every table. Registration will be open in early 2009. Please check our website for updates.
Fueled with tasty local fare, participants will be informed and inspired with an extensive three days of field trips and workshops. Topics include distribution, policy, food service needs, experiential education, grant writing, economics, research, evaluation, and more.
Youth and limited resource farmer scholarships will be available. Please contact your Regional Lead Agency for more information.
This Month's News
Cultivating Minds: Food-Related Curricula Take Root Nationwide
by Bernice Yeung. Edutopia.
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. Read the entire article.
School cafeterias opt for local produce
by Ashley Wilson. Citizen-Times.
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.
Teach (and Feed) Your Children Well
byTrista Scheuerlein. flavor.
Local food and public schools don't have to be strangers. Making connections between local farmers and school cafeterias. Read the entire article.
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