FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT:
Jiyoon Chon
National Farm to School Network
October 2, 2022 – This October, schools and early care and education sites across the country are celebrating the thirteenth annual National Farm to School Month, a 31-day campaign to recognize the benefits that farm to school and farm to early care and education bring to youth, families, farmers and communities. National Farm to School Network advocated for the creation of National Farm to School Month in 2010, and it was officially recognized by Congress shortly after.
Farm to school is a movement that builds just and equitable food systems through the ways kids eat, grow and learn about food in school and early care and education settings. Farm to school is a win for kids when they eat nourishing food in meals and snacks, participate in hands-on activities and learn about the importance of where our food comes from; a win for farmers when school market opportunities provide reliable and consistent sales and fair pay; and a win for communities when food is grown, distributed, prepared and consumed for the benefit of every community member. To ensure all communities see the benefit of these wins, farm to school activities must be firmly centered in equity.
This year’s National Farm to School Month theme is “Rooted in Community: Growing Stronger, Together.” At the core, farm to school is built for and by communities, with all of us working together to cultivate a better future for us all. Farm to school brings together a community of individuals across sectors, generations, and interests—farmers, parents, students, advocates, teachers, food service workers and lawmakers—who all share a common vision of an abundant, nourishing and equitable food system.
Throughout October, National Farm to School Network’s activities will be focused on celebrating achievements, sharing stories of collaboration and community and highlighting progress toward racial equity in farm to school, so that we can continue to grow stronger, together.
National Farm to School Network’s October celebrations also include the annual Movement Meeting on October 26 from 3 - 5:00pm ET. The Movement Meeting is a gathering point for dedicated advocates in the farm to school and farm to early care and education realms, providing an invaluable opportunity to come together, rejoice in our shared achievements, foster meaningful connections, ignite inspiration and collectively nurture our growth. Along with Qiana Mickis as the keynote speaker, the Movement Meeting will feature a panel of speakers who will share their leadership, experiences and connections to community in their farm to school work.
National Farm to School Network offers dozens of free resources for celebrating National Farm to School Month on its website, http://www.farmtoschoolmonth.org. People can find resources such as a celebration toolkit, posters, bookmarks, suggested activities and more. Participants are encouraged to share their excitement through social media with the hashtags #F2SMonth and #farmtoschool. National Farm to School Network thanks its sponsor National Co+Op Grocers for supporting this year’s campaign.
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About National Farm to School Network
National Farm to School Network is the leading voice for the U.S. farm to school and farm to early care and education movement, working as an information, advocacy and networking hub for communities to bring local food sourcing, gardens, and food and agriculture education into schools and early care and education settings. Learn more at: http://farmtoschool.org.