Publications

All Publications

Case Studies & Feasibility Analysis

Evaluation Tools & Reports

Buying & Selling Local Foods

How to Get Started

Curricular Resources

Other Resources

Buying & Selling Local Foods

National

Selling Strategies for Local Food Producers Bill McKelvey, Mary Hendrickson, Joe Parcell
Fri, Jan 11th, 2008
Download

A Guide to Serving Local Food on Your Menu Glynwood Center
Mon, Apr 30th, 2007
The Guide is a primer to help foodservice managers and directors, caterers, chefs, restaurateurs and others consider creative ways to incorporate local food products into almost any foodservice setting. Topics include where to begin, identifying sources of supply, developing relationships with farmers, working through existing distributors, and things to consider about the regional food system.  Chefs, institutional purchasing agents, and others share their experience in short case studies within the 32-page guide.
Available in PDF form.  Printed copies will  be provided with a charge for postage and handling.  For more information, please contact info@glynwood.org or 845-265-3338.
Download

Guide to Developing a Sustainable Food Purchasing Policy Matthew Buck
Thu, Nov 1st, 2007
The guide is intended to help universities, colleges, hospitals, and other institutions – as well as those advocating for food system change – create, promote and implement practical sustainable food purchasing policies.

Fresh from the Farm: Using Local Foods in Afterschool and Summer Nutrition Programs Alexis Bylander and Crystal FitzSimons
Tue, Jan 8th, 2008
Food is an important part of any quality afterschool or summer program. It helps attract children to the program and ensures that they have the energy to fully participate in all of the educational and enrichment activities. The nutrition quality and appeal of the meals and snacks is crucial. One creative strategy to improve quality and appeal is to make local produce part of the meals and snacks, and Farm to School programs are one key strategy to do that. This guide outlines strategies and approaches for accessing local products such as working with an organization that is already using local produce, collaborating with the area food service director or operating the Farm to School program independently.
Download

Georgia

Georgia Organics Local Food Guide
Wed, Dec 1st, 1999
Download our popular local food guide for a listing of farms, markets and businesses supporting sustainable foods and farms in Georgia. Great place to find a farmer for a school field trip!

Iowa

Local Food Connections: Food Service Considerations Iowa State University Extension
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
This publication provides farmers, school administrators, and institutional food-service planners with contact information and descriptions of existing programs that have made these connections between local farmers and local school lunchrooms, college dining halls, or cafeterias in other institutions. To help communities initiate similar programs, this publication includes resource lists

Revealing the Secrets of an all Iowa Meal Gary Huber and Andrea Woldridge
Mon, Mar 1st, 2004
A Case Study of the Local Food Brokering Project, Practical Farmers of Iowa. Funded by the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems Program, USDA.

Massachusetts

Pioneer Valley Food System Department of Plant and Soil Sciences - University of Amherst
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
The Pioneer Valley Food System, a program of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Amherst serves as a resource center and clearinghouse for farm to school in Massachusetts. This program has created a list of growers and associations in Massachusetts willing to sell to schools and colleges. To access this list, click here.

Montana

Grow, Eat, and Know: A Resource Guide to Food and Farming in Missoula County Community Food & Agriculture Coalition
Sun, Nov 30th, 2003

As one component of the Missoula County Community Food Assessment, this guide is a collection of organizations, programs and businesses that are involved in the Missoula County food system--the complex web that incorporates all things food, from growing to distribution to eating.

Within the pages of the guide, you will find brief descriptions and contact information for a variety of groups. You'll find entries for agriculture and food assistance groups, but also for land trusts and business development. All these groups play an important part in supporting the Missoula County food system.

Download

Our Foodshed in Focus: Missoula County Food and Agriculture by the Numbers
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
As one of our components of the MCCFA, this report utilizes existing statistical data, primarily from U.S. census reports and other government sources, to describe patterns in the local food system and how these have changed over time. Seven chapters, all authored by students, detail relevant trends in the following areas: demographics; agricultural production; environment; food distribution; employment in farming and food-related businesses; consumption; and food security and access. Each chapter also discusses why these trends might be occurring and explains why these measures are important.

Food Matters: Farm Viability and Food Consumption in Missoula County Community Food & Agriculture Coalition
Mon, Nov 1st, 2004


Download

New Jersey

New Jersey Farmers New Jersey Farmers
Wed, Dec 1st, 1999

North Carolina

North Carolina Farm Fresh
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
North Carolina Farm Fresh: North Carolina Farm Fresh is a directory of pick-your-own farms, roadside farm markets, and farmers markets throughout North Carolina. It is designed to help consumers find the freshest locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project Website
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) is a non-profit organization that supports farmers and rural communities in the mountains of western North Carolina and the southern Appalachians by providing education, mentoring, promotion, web resources, and community and policy development. Our mission is to create and expand regional community-based and integrated food systems that are locally owned and controlled, environmentally sound, economically viable and health-promoting. Our vision is a future food system throughout the mountains of North Carolina and the southern Appalachians that provides a safe and nutritious food supply for all segments of society; that is produced, marketed and distributed in a manner that enhances human and environmental health; and that adds economic and social value to rural and urban communities.

Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Food Connection 2003: A Directory of Agricultural Producers, Crops, and Institutional B Shawn Campbell
Wed, Dec 1st, 1999
The backbone of Oklahoma’s rich heritage has always been the family farm, but due to consolidation and depressed prices, today’s family farms are disappearing at an alarming rate. On October 16th, 2001, a group of Oklahomans charged by Oklahoma’s Commissioner of Agriculture set out to reverse the course of this epidemic. Citing an opportunity to benefit Oklahoma farmers by opening new markets, the Oklahoma Food Policy Council was formed. The council is a joint project of the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry.

Farm to School Program Great Plains RC&D
Sun, Dec 1st, 2002
Local grown & milled whole wheat flour being used as a product in the farm to school program.

Pennsylvania

The New Farm: Farm to Farm Know How New Farm
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
The New Farm: Farm to Farm Know How from the Rodale Institute provides access to a database of farms as part of a farm locator program. Specify your needs and the program will generate a list of farms that might be able to help you meet these needs. Access this link by clicking here. Or access information about farm to school programs through the New Farms site by clicking here.

Pennsylvania Agricultural Map: Promoting Pennsylvania Agriculture
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
Ag Map: Pennsylvania’s Online Agricultural Directory.

Tennessee

Local Table Marne Duke and Lisa Shively
Wed, Dec 1st, 1999
A guide to food and farming in Middle Tennessee (A quartlery magazine format)

Washington

The Green Book Leslie Zenz, Kelli Sanger and David Wides
Sun, Jan 1st, 2006
This publication contains information about the regulatory landscape governing the sales of farm products in Washington State. It is a comprehensive guide to direct marketing strategies and contains an extensive resource section of organizations and relevant publications.
Download

Small Farm and Direct Marketing Program Website The Washington State Department of Agriculture
Wed, Nov 30th, 2005
The Washington State Department of Agriculture Small Farm and Direct Marketing Program offers technical assistance to farmers and institutional buyers in farm to cafeteria programs. Their website serves as an important farm to school resource.

Map of Washington Farmers Who Sell Directly to Consumers Giles O’Dell, Melissa Roberts, Shonie Schlot zhauer & Jackson Sillars
Sat, Jan 1st, 2005
This Farm Map is a listing of farms in Thurston County that sell their goods directly to consumers. It’s a tool for making that direct connection; to help you find products grown, raised and made by your neighbors.
Download

Washington State Office of State Procurement Department of General Administration
Mon, Jan 1st, 2007
The Department of General Administration develops and administers contracts for goods and services on behalf of state agencies, colleges, universities, select non-profit organizations, and local governments.

Wisconsin

Farm Fresh Atlas REAP Food Group
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
This atlas produced by REAP Food Group lists farms and food-related businesses that sell their goods directly to customers in southern Wisconsin and enables you to narrow your search by far, location, and product. Click here for more information

Case Studies & Feasibility Analysis

National

Going Local: Paths to Success for Farm to School Programs Anupama Joshi, Marion Kalb and Moira Beery
Thu, Feb 1st, 2007
A brand new resource from the National Farm to School Program, Center for Food & Justice, Occidental College and the Community Food Security Coalition. With case studies from eight states - California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hamphire, North Carolina, and Oregon, the publication provides a snapshot of the diverse ways in which farm to school is making a difference nationwide.

California

The Crunch Lunch Manual Renata Brillinger, Jeri Ohmart, and Gail Feenstra
Sat, Mar 1st, 2003
A case study of the Davis Joint Unified School District Farmers Market Salad Bar Pilot Program and a Fiscal Analysis Model
Download

The San Francisco Farm-to-School Report: Results from the 2003 Feasibility Study Rimkus, Rimkus, Paula Jones, and Fernando Ona
Thu, Jan 1st, 2004
Download

Colorado

Healthy Kids and Healthy Economies: Results from the 2006 Farm to School Survey of Colorado Food Ser Colorado Institute of Public Policy and the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Farm to School Workgroup
Wed, Nov 30th, 2005
Download

La Plata County Food Assessment Growing Partners
Wed, Dec 1st, 1999
The Growing Partners of Southwest Colorado works to promote a more sustainable local food system. In October of 2005, the USDA awarded the partnership with funding to complete a yearlong food study to assess food security in La Plata County.

Florida

Florida Farm to School Case Study Marion Kalb
Wed, Dec 1st, 1999
The New North Florida Cooperative began by selling farm fresh produce to 13 schools in Gadsden County, Florida. In six years, the marketing efforts have increased so that the Cooperative now sells to 15 school districts in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Through these districts, they are serving 300,000 students! The farmers focus on producing three to four main items, on a seasonal basis, and sell to schools year-round. The items are incorporated into menu planning, generally as a side dish or as a fresh fruit dessert. The Cooperative has developed a good reputation by providing high-quality produce, prompt deliveries, fair prices and for their courteous professionalism. They refer to this as "relationship marketing". The positive word-o of mouth has been very effective in opening the door to the program in other school districts.

Healthy Farms, Healthy Kids: Evaluating the Barriers and Opportunities for Farm-to-School Programs Andrea Azuma and Andrew Fisher
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
Healthy Farms, Healthy Kids: Evaluating the Barriers and Opportunities for Farm-to-School Programs. Azuma, Andrea and Andrew Fisher, Community Food Security Coalition, January 2001.
A case study of the New North Florida Cooperative Farm to School Program. Executive summary on-line at www.foodsecurity.org. Order by e-mailing asfisher@aol.com, or by calling (310) 822-5410, or faxing (310) 822-1440.

Farm to School: Case Studies and Resources for Success Alison Harmon
Mon, Dec 1st, 2003
A case study of the farm to school project initiated by the North Florida Marketing Cooperative (pages 30-33). (PDF)
Download

Iowa

It's a win-win situation The Extension Connection
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999

A movement is afoot to improve the economic stability of Iowa's small farmers while improving the long-term health of school children. It's a win-win initiative called "farm to school."

Kentucky

Farm to School: Case Studies and Resources for Success Compiled by Alison Harmon
Mon, Dec 1st, 2003
A case study of the farm to school project in Kentucky (p. 35). (PDF)

Massachusetts

Coming to a School Near You - Farm Fresh Produce Dr. Anne Carter, Ms. Kelly Erwin, Ms. Lara Kramer, & Mr. Matt Philbin - University of Massachusetts
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
 Report by Dr. Anne Carter, Ms. Kelly Erwin, Ms. Lara Kramer and Mr. Matt Philbin of the University of Massachusetts Department of Plant Soil and Insect Sciences. Obectives of the project include: Creating the farmer to school food service director relationship (varieties, price, and method of payment.)  Working with the school to purchase produce from local sources (either directly or through wholesalers.)  Exploring economically viable distribution systems that will distribute delivery costs among other schools and businesses.

Massachusetts: Sowing the Seeds in Farms and Schools
Mon, Jan 1st, 2007
A case study of the Massachusetts Farm to School Program in "Going Local: Paths to Success for Farm to School Programs" (pg 12)

Michigan

Executive Summary of the Results of the Michigan Food Service Directors Survey
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999

Executive Summary of the results of the Michigan Food Service Directors survey. (76KB, Word Document.)

Minnesota

Making the Farm / School Connection: Opportunities and Barriers to Greater Use of Locally-grown Prod JoAnne Berkenkamp
Sun, Jan 1st, 2006
Report explores the feasibility of expanding fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables in Minnesota's public K-12 schools.
Download

Missouri

Cape Girardeau School District - A Case Study Mary Hendrickson, University of Missouri
Thu, Jun 1st, 2006
Cape Girardeau School District's Experience with Missouri Foods. Based on questions and answers with Lisa Elfrink, Nutrition Services Coordinator  and experiences with other food service coordinators.
Download

New Hampshire

New Hampshire: Get Smart, Eat Local, A is for Apples Anupama Joshi, Marion Kalb and Moira Beery
Mon, Jan 1st, 2007
New Hampshire Case Study in "Going Local: Paths to Success for Farm to School Programs (pg 19)

NH Farm to School Program Highlights: Our First Three Years
Wed, Dec 1st, 1999
Connecting New Hampshire farms and schools by integrating production, school food procurement, and school curriculum.

New Mexico

Cooking with Kids: Case Study
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999



New Mexico Farm to School case study Marion Kalb
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999

Three Santa Fe public schools are participating in this project, two elementary and one high school. One of the elementary schools has a salad bar every day. The meal at this site includes a meat entree three times a week and a vegetarian item twice a week. The other elementary school offers a side salad of mixed greens, sunflower sprouts, and other seasonal items with lunch. The high school has a separate salad bar; students have the choice of the salad bar or a hot lunch.

Download

Farm to School: Case Studies and Resources for Success Alison Harmon
Mon, Dec 1st, 2003
A case study of the Cooking with Kids Program and Farm to School Project in Santa Fe (page 11-13). (PDF)

New York

Cooking with Kids Case Study Patricia Thonney and Erica Reinhardt
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
Cooking With Kids Case Study. Thonney, Patricia and Erica Reinhardt. Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University 2004. (PDF)

Farm to School: Case Studies and Resources for Success Alison Harmon
Mon, Dec 1st, 2003
A case study of the farm to school project in New York (p. 43). (PDF)

North Carolina

Synopsis of the North Carolina Farm to School Program
Thu, Feb 9th, 2006
The Farm-to-School Program is getting fresh locally grown produce from the farmers directly to the schools. This program was formed through a partnership with the Markets and Food Distribution Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and the Department of Defense.

GROWING LOCAL: Expanding the Western North Carolina Food and Farm Economy Laura D. Kirby, Charlie Jackson, and Allison Perrett
Sat, Sep 1st, 2007
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project released the results of a multi-year feasibility study that looks at the potential for increasing local consumption of Western North Carolina- grown food and farm products.

Oregon

The Abernathy Scratch Kitchen Model Baseline Assessment Karrie Stevens Thomas
Fri, Dec 1st, 2006
Download

New on the Menu
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
Twelve page summary of the 2005–06 Abernethy Elementary Farm to School project coordinated by Ecotrust.

The Spork Report- Increasing the supply and consumption of local foods in Portland Public Schools. Multnomah Food Policy Council
Mon, Jun 6th, 2005
Download

Pennsylvania

Farm to School: Case Studies and Resources for Success Alison Harmon
Thu, Jan 1st, 2004
A case study of the farm to school project in Pennsylvania (p. 37). (PDF)

Vermont

Farm to School: Case Studies and Resources for Success Alison Harmon
Thu, Jan 1st, 2004
A case study of the farm to school project in Vermont (p. 19). (PDF)
Download

Washington

A Salad Bar Featuring Organic Choices: Revitalizing the School Nutrtion Program Paul Flock, Cheryl Petra, Vanessa Ruddy, Joseph Peterangelo
Tue, Apr 1st, 2003
Download

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Homegrown Lunch Brings Locally Grown Produce to Madison Schools Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems
Thu, Jan 1st, 2004

With childhood obesity on the rise, parents are paying more attention to what their children eat at school. The Wisconsin Homegrown Lunch project is working with Chavez, Lincoln and Shorewood Elementary Schools in Madison to bring fresh, locally grown produce to school lunchrooms—which should please both parents and kids.

Curricular Resources

National

The Healthy School Meals Resource System Website The Healthy School Meals Resource System
Mon, Jan 1st, 2007
The Healthy School Meals Resource System’s website serves as a farm to school resource, including information on educational activities such as school garden materials.

List of Chefs Willing to Volunteer Healthy School Meals Resource System
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
A list of chefs willing to volunteer their time as part of a food and nutrition education program.

“All About Farmers’ Markets: A Teaching Guide for Classrooms, Camps, and Community Programs,” Peggy Sissel-Phelan, Ed.D.
Thu, Dec 1st, 2005
A useful resource to help children make the connection between the land, the food we eat, and our health and well-being. The guide is 116 pages of original games, songs, and activities for PreK - 2^nd grade classrooms, and includes ideas for field trips and parent involvement.

Fresh from the Farm TIME for Kids
Thu, May 1st, 2008
TIME for Kids Magazine Teachers Guide on Farm to School

Connecticut

Pick Your Own Fruits and Vegetables Connecticut Grown
Sun, Nov 30th, 2003

Informational Brochure

Massachusetts

French Fries, and the Food System Sarah Coblyn
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
This agricultural curriculum features powerful, original lessons written and developed by The Food Project's growers and educators. Organized by season, the material teaches youth how to develop a deep understanding of and appreciation for the land and local food systems. Lessons can be done both indoors and outdoors and can be easily adapted by instructors working in school-based plots, urban food lots, and environmental education programs.

New Mexico

The New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom Program New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
Sponsored by the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom
Wed, Dec 1st, 1999
Many resources for tying agriculture in to the classroom teachings and farm to school programs.  Many lessons outline PASS objectives for the state of Oklahoma.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Agriculture in the Classroom
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999

 For teachers: Integrating fun-filled, hands-on agricultural projects into existing curriculum.  Receiving make-and-take projects and ready to use materials for the classroom.  Gaining a network of teachers and agricultural resource people locally and across the state.

Evaluation Tools & Reports

National

A Growing Movement: A Decade of Farm to School in California Anupama Joshi and Moira Beery
Mon, Oct 1st, 2007
A Growing Movement: A Decade of Farm to School in California is a brand new resource from the California Farm to School Program at the Center for Food & Justice. The farm to school movement began in California more than 10 years ago. This report tells the story of work undertaken by farm to school proponents in California and chronicles the emergence of the program, and the impacts it has had on students, farmers, and communities around the state.

Lessons and Impacts of the Farm to School Program Moira Beery
Wed, Dec 5th, 2007
This presentation explores the growth of Farm to School programs nationally and the impacts they have made.
Download

California

Fresh From the Farm and Into the Classroom Haase, Margaret, Andrea Azuma, Robert Gottlieb, and Mark Vallianatos
Thu, Jan 1st, 2004
Utilizing a model called Community Supported Agriculture that ties consumers directly to a local or regional farm, this LAUSD program, entitled the “Fresh From the Farm Pilot Project,” has been able to establish a direct connection between the classroom and a Southern California organic farm. The result is a unique, hands-on learning experience for the students, as well as increased income for local, organic agriculture.
Download

Missouri

Building School Foodservice Demand for Products Grown, Raised and Manufactured in Missouri Cynthia Haskins
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
Download

New Mexico

2007 Farm to School Survey Le Adams, Jimmy Purvis
Sat, May 5th, 2007
Download

New York

New York State Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Distribution Project NY Farms!
Sun, Jan 1st, 2006

Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Farm-to-School Report, Including the Oklahoma Institutional Food Service Survey Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, & D
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999

The Oklahoma Food Policy Council is a joint project of the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry and Drake University, in partnership with the USDA Risk Management Agency.

Pennsylvania

Kindergarten Initiative Evaluation Report The Food Trust
Thu, Feb 1st, 2007
Download

Vermont

Impact Assessment of Vermont Farm2School Program – Executive Summary John Ryan
Sat, Apr 1st, 2006
The driving goal in the Farm2School initiative is to promote healthier children and a healthier Vermont food system. Buying more fresh local produce should be seen as a means to achieving those goals. In the short-term, the capacity of the food system to increase purchases of Vermont products is limited. At whatever level of purchase, the value of buying fresh local food is greatly enhanced by the direct connection of healthy eating with a place-based nutritional and agricultural curriculum. Student participation in discovering, growing, recipe-making, cooking, and tasting these foods represents the crucial link that drives real change in eating habits. Local school food purchases alone will not change basic nutritional values nor will it serve to secure the future of local agriculture in Vermont. Vermont agriculture’s self-interest in this effort is a long-term one: their participation will develop the connection with and loyalty of the next generation of healthier-eating, Vermont consumers.

Impact Assessment of Vermont Farm2School Program – Final Report John Ryan
Sat, Apr 1st, 2006
The analysis begins by asking a number of questions: How much Vermont farm produce and dairy product does the Vermont school food program currently purchase? What key challenges stand in the way of increasing Vermont food purchases and local Farm2School Partnerships? What actions would increase the likelihood of overcoming the challenges to reaching increased levels of activity? What represents a realistic increase in the level of Vermont farm purchases over the next five years? What represents a realistic increase in the number of local Farm2School partnerships over the next several years? What impacts would those actions have on key participants in the school food system, including farmers, school food workers, food distributors, local and state governments, parents and children?

How to Get Started

National

The Little Green Schoolhouse: Thinking Big About Ecological Sustainability, Children The Green Schools Initiative
Wed, Jun 7th, 2006

The Little Green Schoolhouse establishes a framework that brings together a variety of school-related environmental health and sustainability issues under one conceptual and strategic roof. It documents how our current school systems are threats to our childrens' health and models of unsustainability. Drawing from a diversity of inspiring efforts going on around the country, the report also presents a broad idealistic vision of what green and healthy schools could look like. And it articulates a series of pragmatic policy recommendations, including organizing to pass school board resolutions that serve as blueprints for sustainable and healthy schools.

Farm to School in the Northeast: Making the Connection for Healthy Kids and Healthy Farms Jennifer Wilkins, Heidi Mouillesseaux-Kunzman, Meredith Graham, Betsey Bacelli, and Martha Goodsell
Tue, May 1st, 2007
In 200 pages, Farm to School in the Northeast provides a step-by-step guide to making farm to school connections, walking practitioners through a process from planning, to implementation and evaluation. Each chapter includes a “Toolbox” filled with a variety of resources from assessment and evaluation forms, to sample position announcements, contracts, and flowcharts designed to help keep you organized, confront inevitable challenges and celebrate successes as you work towards your farm to school objectives.

Greening the Plate of School Lunch Moira Beery
Wed, Dec 5th, 2007
Slides from a presentation of the whys and hows of starting a Farm to School program.
Download

Mapping School Food: A Policy Guide Marlo R. Miura, Jason A. Smith, Jess Alderman
Fri, Dec 7th, 2007
Improving the school food environment can be a difficult task, and understanding school food law and policy can be a barrier to getting started. Mapping School Food was written to help legislators, advocates, parents, teachers and anyone interested in improving school food navigate school food law and policy. Mapping School Food is an innovative guide that describes school food policy from the perspective of different personnel in the school system. It also provides tools to help advocates find answers, resolve conflicts, and build consensus for improving school food in their community. Mapping School Food is available as a free download.

California

Gardens for Learning: Creating and Sustaining Your School Garden California School Garden Network
Thu, Dec 1st, 2005
A comprehensive instructional resource for teachers, parents and schools interested in garden-based learning. This book was developed by the California School Garden Network (CGSN), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create and sustain California gardens to enhance academic achievement, a healthy lifestyle, environmental stewardship, community and social development.

Florida

How Local Farmers and School Food Service Buyers Are Building Alliances Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
On May 1, 2000, more than 180 individuals—school food service directors, State and Federal commodity procurement officials, Extension agents, members of farm cooperatives, and agricultural marketing specialists—gathered at the Georgetown College Training and Conference Center in Georgetown, KY, to share information and strategies aimed at boosting the use of locally produced fresh food in school feeding programs.  The event, entitled the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Small Farm/School Meals Initiative Southeast Regional Workshop, was cosponsored and organized by the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the USDA, Food and Nutrition Service, the University of Kentucky’s Cooperative Extension Service, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.  This report summarizes the educational highlights of the workshop in an effort to help small farmers and school food service buyers throughout the country explore how they might be able to establish similar business relationships in their own communities

Georgia

Atlanta Farm to School and Educational Garden Programs Resource Guide
Sat, Sep 1st, 2007

Iowa

Local Food Connections: From Farms to Schools. Iowa State University Extension
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999

Through direct marketing of their products, Iowa farmers and growers are forming a stronger connection with their customers and obtaining premium prices or those products. One potential direct marketing customer is the local school.

Selling to Institutions: An Iowa Farmer's Guide Robert Luedeman & Neil D. Hamilton
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
lists helpful information on insurance and legal issues for producers who want to enter institutional food markets. It was written by Des Moines attorney Robert Luedeman and Neil Hamilton from the Drake Agricultural Law Center

New Jersey

New Jersey’s Quick Steps to Fruits and Vegetables Toolkit New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Team Nutrition Project
Thu, Mar 1st, 2007
This toolkit was designed to be a cooperative project and extend the experience of increased fruit and vegetable consumption into the classroom, school cafeteria and at home. This program can be implemented in many different ways based on your school’s needs and desires.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture gives many links relevant for anyone interested in farm to school in Pennsylvania.

Vermont

How Do We Feed Vermont’s School Children :An Insiders Guide to Vermont School Meals and How To Impro Vermont FEED
Wed, Dec 1st, 1999
The purpose of this primer is: • To outline how Vermont schools currently provide meals to their children. • To show how the Farm2School initiative is working with schools to encourage greater use of fresh local foods and helping Vermont children make wiser, healthier choices about the food they eat.

VT Farm to School: A guide for Using Local Food in Schools VT Food Education Every Day
Mon, Jan 1st, 2007
Includes step by step process for starting local purchasing in schools; success stories about farm-to-cafeteria relationships (K-12); seasonal recipes and menu ideas. Contact VT FEED for copies

Vermont Farm to School: A Guide for Connecting Farms to Schools and Communities VT Food Education Every Day
Mon, Jan 1st, 2007
Contains information and resources on: how to market farm products for use in schools; how to use a farm for education with students; hands-on, farm-based educational activities; how to connect farms to their communities. Please contact VT Feed for a copy of this booklet.

Other Resources

National

Lunch Lessons: Changing the way we feed our children Chef Ann Cooper
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999

Counties and Local Food Systems Casey Dillon
Sun, Jul 1st, 2007
This 22-page report highlights four approaches that county governments can use to strengthen their local food systems:  food policy councils, farm to school programs, infrastructure for local producers, and agriculture conservation easement programs.  It includes an overview of methods and a fairly detailed case study for each approach.The Farm to School Case study is from the Missoula Farm to School Program, MT.
Download

Farm-Raisers Vanessa Zajfen
Tue, Nov 6th, 2007
As rates of childhood obesity rise across the nation, schools are under pressure to serve healthy foods in cafeterias as well as establish policies to curb the availability of unhealthy foods and sodas on school campuses. Many schools have banned the sale of sodas and candy during school hours. However, outside of the cafeteria and vending machines, school fundraisers are another source of unhealthy foods on campus. Ninety-one percent of schools nationwide use fundraisers as a means to raise school funds, 81 percent of these schools sell cookie dough or greeting cards (Conners, 2006). There is a growing interest in exploring creative ways to raise funds without using unhealthy foods.

The Organic Chronicles
Wed, Dec 1st, 1999
This pamphlet conveys some basic principles of organic agriculture (and the ag-ecosystem) and is in a comic book format. There are English and Spanish versions of this publication, which is titled, The Organic Chronicles. Organic Chronicles in English: http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/PDF/chronicleslr.pdf (low resolution) http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/PDF/chronicles.pdf (high resolution) Las Cronicas Organicas: http://attra.ncat.org/espanol/pdf/cronicaslr.pdf (low resolution) http://attra.ncat.org/espanol/pdf/cronicas.pdf (high resolution)

What's for Lunch? Deborah Kane
Thu, May 8th, 2008
“What’s for Lunch” provides a historical overview of school food and school gardens in the United States and details activities in the Portland Public Schools district. Interestingly enough, there was a time in our history when school food and school gardens were considered matters of national security.
Download

Chronology of Farm to School Debra Eschmeyer
Mon, Apr 28th, 2008
When did farm to school programs start? What were the major milestones? This brief factsheet lays out the history of farm to school.
Download

Alabama

Guide to Healthy Vending Machines Alabama Department of Public Health
Mon, Jan 1st, 2007
Alabama Department of Public Health: Guide to Healthy Vending Machines
Download

California

Resources for Farm to School Champions Center for Food & Justice
Sat, Sep 1st, 2007
This Farm to School resource primer is a great one-pager linking you to materials and organizations that can help you implement and sustain your farm to school program.

Connecticut

Statutory Reference regarding Farm To School
Sat, Jul 1st, 2006
Public Act 06-135 Codified: Sec. 22-38 There is established, within the Department of Agriculture, a farm to school program. In consultation with the Department of Education, the program shall facilitate and promote the sale of Connecticut-grown farm products by farms to school districts, individual schools and other educational institutions under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education.
Download

Connecticut Farm Map
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
Visit Connecticut's farms, courtesy of a new Connecticut Farm Map. This colored, full-scale road map lists by category, 222 farm businesses with detailed directions to their establishments and brief descriptions of their business. It includes Ag-Tourism, Farmers' Markets, Christmas trees, Pick-Your-Own, Orchards, Maple Syrup and many others. The map also contains information on Connecticut agricultural statistics, Farmers' Markets, Cooperative Extension offices and Department of Agriculture contacts. This map is both entertaining and educational and points to the diversity of our state's agriculture and of its importance as a destination attraction. The map is distributed at Extension offices, tourism centers and farm stands.

Florida

Presentation on New North Florida Marketing Cooperative
Mon, Jan 1st, 2007
Download

Iowa

Practical Farms of Iowa Website
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
PFI research and development projects have resulted in a wide range of reports, publications and videos that you may find useful. We also offer links to a number of related organizations and the resources they have available.

The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture Website The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture provides links to groups doing work related to farm to school and sustainable agriculture.

Massachusetts

Massachussetts Farm to School Cookbook Amy Cotler
Fri, Dec 1st, 2006
The cookbook features 45 easy-to-follow recipes using Massachusetts crop, including value added produce such as peeled butternut squash and sliced carrots.
- Easy to prep recipes using dormant seasonal crop, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes and butternut squash
- Recipes have been school tested by Food Service Directors, cooks, and students in the schools themselves and designed for 50 to 100 servings.
- Nutritional analysis for each recipe
- Contacts for accessing farm produce
- Kid’s favorites include: Brown Rice Pilaf with Carrots, Chinese Green Beans, Tropical Cole Slaw and Garlic Mashed New Potatoes

Download

Michigan

Agriculture Every Day Various
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
Agriculture Every Day wasa monthly web magazine, published in 2003, that highlighted the many ways the MDA and the state's agriculture industry enrich the lives of the people of Michigan.

Dairy Facts!
Mon, Jan 1st, 1996
Dairy Facts from the farm to you!

New Jersey

New Jersey Agricultural Society
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
Dependence on agriculture knows no boundaries. Urban and rural, wealthy and poor, white collar or blue collar, young and old, developed nation or developing nation, any culture, any race . . . no matter how people are classified, agriculture is the lifeline that supports them all.  Agriculture provides all of our food, clothing, and shelter. 

New York

Why Garden in New York State Schools - A powerpoint presentation Department of Horticulture, Cornell University
Wed, Dec 1st, 1999
If you're looking for ways to share the excitement of school gardening with other teachers and educators; if you need to convince your administrators of the benefits of beginning a garden in your school; and if you're looking for research-based justification of why
gardening is so important, this presentation will be useful to you. It is designed as a guided presentation, or to run on its own at an exhibit. 
Download

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Food Cooperative Website
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
We're a grassroots network uniting Oklahoma folks interested in sustainably produced, locally grown food. We bring the farmer's market to your front door. Our goal is a business that is environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially just.

Why Schools Should Serve Locally-Grown Foods Essay Contest Winners
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
This essay contest is designed in include young people in a thoughtful discussion of solutions and current challenges facing farmers and consumers in our food system. The winning essays will focus on the issues and potential benefits involved in forming an Oklahoma Farm-to- School program in an individual school and/or statewide in many schools.

Pennsylvania

Best Practices Manual Project PA
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999
Project PA: Best Practices Manual

Rhode Island

Urban Agriculture in Providence: Growing Our Community by Growing Good Food Urban Agriculture Policy Task Force
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999

Tennessee

Comfoodnet Virtual Farmers Market
Mon, Jan 1st, 2007
An innovative, web-based approach to supplying locally grown fruits and vegetables to schools, institutions and businesses in the ComFoodNET operating region...a one-stop shop for local growers to list currently available crops and for food service buyers to purchase the best of the fresh from local farms.

Washington

Publications on WA Farm to School Programs
Tue, Nov 30th, 1999

Farm to School Publications from the WSDA Small Farms and Direct Marketing Program.