Reports from the Field


View on the Web

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.

Also, thank you to everone that commented on the member survey to assist us in developing our strategic plan. More information will be available on www.farmtoschool.org soon.

Spotlight

Help Raise $10K for Farm to School

Thanks to everyone's support we've made it to the semi-finals on the "Awaken Your Senses Challenge!" You can now push us over the finish line and help us win the $10,000 simply by visiting www.youtube.com/quaker and voting on "Cherries Jubilee" the video starring food Blogger Jen Yu userealbutter.com who is playing for National Farm to School Network.

At the end of this week the blogger with the most votes wins, and they will be able to award $10,000 to their favorite food charity...US!

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and vote!

Voting ends Friday, November 13th! Spread the word!

Featured Profile

USDA Focus on Farm to School

"Farm to School is being embraced by food service directors, students, parents and farmers as a wise investment in our kids, our farmers and the future well-being of Minnesota. These initiatives are also a unique educational opportunity to teach youth about good food. By offering Minnesota grown apples, broccoli, carrots, and more, we’re able to give our students another way to think about their ABCs."

JoAnne Berkenkamp Program Director, Local Foods, IATP

USDA Farm to School Facebook Chat

On November 5, USDA Deputy Secretary Merrigan hosted her second Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Facebook chat with the focus on Farm to School. This social media platform enables the public to see and hear live video/audio and to type in questions for the Deputy Secretary to answer.

Holding her newly acquired farmer trading cards, Merrigan began the online discussion with a report on her visit to the St. Paul, Minnesota school district last week. The St. Paul school district purchased 110 thousand pounds of regional food valued at $76,000 in the first six weeks of the school year, accounting for 56% of their total produce purchases. Learn more here.

Merrigan took note of the National Farm to School Network and our One Tray team, which is a national campaign to improve child nutrition by encouraging a more direct connection between local farms and federal nutrition.

Merrigan also reported on the Department's Farm to School Tactical Team which has been formed with representatives from the Agriculture Marketing Service and the Food and Nutrition Service. The goal is to collect information and create a library of knowledge on the Know Your Farmer website. Merrigan said that USDA is deeply interested in Farm to School and hopes to see an equally high level of support in Congress when it takes up the Child Nutrition Act reauthorization, scheduled to begin early in 2010. Check back here for the archive.

Join Farm to School on Facebook!

Funding

National Farm to School Network Midwest Regional Lead Agency Opening

Application Deadline: December 1, 2009 - SEE RFP

The National Farm to School Network (the Network) is seeking applications from organizations to serve as the Midwest Regional Lead Agency for the Network for the period of December 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010. Since its establishment in 2007, the Network has supported eight Regional Lead Agencies (RLA) across the country to support and promote Farm to School programming in regions. The Midwest Regional Lead Agency will support Farm to School activities in the following states: Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Go here to learn more.

New Funding Opportunity with the Health Impact Project

The Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts, is a national initiative designed to promote the use of health impact assessments (HIAs) as a decision-making tool for policymakers. HIAs are a flexible, data-driven approach that identifies the health consequences of new policies, and develops practical strategies to enhance their health benefits and minimize adverse effects.

The project issued a rolling call for proposals and is now accepting applications to fund up to 15 HIA demonstrations at the local, state or tribal level. Grants will range from between $25,000 and $150,000 each. For more information and to apply online, visit www.healthimpactproject.org.

 

A Taste of Fall News

VIRGINIA SCHOOLS PARTICIPATE IN FARM TO SCHOOL WEEK NOVEMBER 9 - 13, 2009

by Elaine J. Lidholm. States News Service.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and the Virginia Department of Education have designated the week of November 9 13, 2009, as Virginia Farm to School Week. The agencies are encouraging all schools in the Commonwealth, kindergarten through college, to purchase, serve and promote Virginia Grown foods in their cafeterias that week. Read the entire article.

A White House Chef Who Wears Two Hats

By RACHEL L. SWARNS. The New york times.

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.

Food system reform starts with children

by Jennifer Wilkins. The Ithaca Journal.

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.

Farm to School at Lakeview Union School in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom

By Lauren Ware. Civil Eats.

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. Read the entire article.

 

You have opted in to receive this newsletter. Click here to Unsubscribe.

Website hosted by the Center for Food & Justice
A Division of the Urban & Environmental Policy Institute at Occidental College
Questions or comments about the newsletter? Please contact us.