We are pleased to invite all National Farm to School Network Partners, Advisory Board members, staff, and invited guests to the 2026 Partner Meeting! This year, we are thrilled to host this gathering in concert with the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Attendees at our Partner Meeting will also be able to attend the California Farm to School Summit. Please join us for this incredible opportunity to strengthen our connections, share with one another, strategize, innovate, learn, and advance farm to school and early care and education (ECE) across the nation.

In Partnership With

About the Partner Meeting

National Farm to School Network's Partner Meeting is an exclusive space dedicated to nurturing and connecting our Partner network around our vision of creating a just food system and thriving communities through farm to school and early care. We curate meaningful opportunities for skill-building, networking, and celebration.

Registration
Scholarships
Agenda
Hotel Accomodations
FAQ
Become a Sponsor

Registration

Registration is open now until September 15, 2026.

🗓️
WHEN: October 13-15, 2026
📍 WHERE: Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel in California
👥 WHO: All NFSN Partners, Advisory Board members and staff are invited to join us!
💲 COST: Registration costs $150 per ticket. Your ticket also includes access to the California Farm to School Summit on 10/15. Attendees will be responsible for funding their own travel and lodging.

Not a partner yet? Join here.

register now

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships for travel support are available—view the application form and apply here.

We have a dedicated pool of scholarship funding for farm to school coordinators. We strongly encourage farm to school coordinators to apply for a scholarship.

Scholarship recipients will be offered an optional hotel block to book their accomodations.

Deadline to apply: Extended to July 10, 2026 at 11:59pm EST. Scholarship recipients will be notified by August 3, 2026.

scholarship application

Agenda Preview

More details coming soon!

Tuesday, October 13: 
Closed meetings, invite-only: 

  • NFSN Advisory Board Meeting
  • Farm to School Coordinators Meeting

Wednesday, October 14: 
NFSN Partner Meeting day. Please expect a full day of programming with optional salon-style dinners to attend in the evening.

Thursday, October 15: 
Combined programming with California Dept. of Food and Agriculture. Programming will take place outdoors on Soil Born Farms. Attendees should dress accordingly and expect to enjoy a variety of engagement experiences, like talks, tabling, and farm demonstrations. 

Field trip from the 2024 Partner Annual Meeting

Celebrating National Farm to School Month

October is National Farm to School Month, and we are thrilled that our Partner Meeting this year will take place during this month of celebration! Our in-person gathering will feature fun activities and opportunities to highlight your farm to school month programming. Please stay tuned for more details on how you can participate! 

In the meantime, check out our free resources and ideas on celebrating National Farm to School Month here.  

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Conference

What is the 10th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference?

The 10th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference is a pivotal gathering presented by the National Farm to School Network. It's designed as a bold evolution to deepen our impact, expand our reach, and advance a more resilient and equitable food future. It brings together leaders, partners, and practitioners to share ideas, build relationships, and drive meaningful change in food systems.

What makes this 10th conference different from previous years?

This year marks our landmark 10th anniversary, and we've thoughtfully evolved the experience. Expect stronger, more relevant programming with timely, real-world solutions; expanded community impact through deeper partnerships; new networking opportunities like facilitated roundtables; and greater accessibility for producers by being held in December. We're also celebrating New Mexico’s leadership in food systems.

What is the conference theme?

The conference theme is "Rooted in Culture, Growing for the Future." This speaks to both the legacy and urgency of our work in confronting supply chain disruptions, climate threats, and inequities through culturally grounded, community-driven solutions.

Who should attend this conference?

This conference is for anyone involved in school nutrition, local food procurement, early care education, community food access, and food systems leadership across the country. It's designed to be accessible and impactful for a wide range of participants, including farmers, educators, food service leaders, policymakers, youth leaders, and advocates.
Registration & Pricing

What are the dates of the conference?

The conference will take place December 2–4, 2025.

Where is the conference located?

The conference will be held at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

What makes this 10th conference different from previous years?

Where is the conference located?

What is the conference theme?

The conference will be held at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

What are the different registration packages available?

We offer several packages:
• Cultivator Pass (VIP): Includes full conference access plus one Intensive Course.
• Harvester Pass (All Access): Includes full conference access, Welcome Networking Reception, and one Field Trip.
• Seedling Pass (Standard): Includes access to all General Sessions, Workshops, Breakout Sessions, and the Exhibitor Showcase.
• Flourish Day Pass: Provides 1-Day ONLY access to all General Sessions, Workshops, Breakout Sessions, and the Exhibitor Showcase.

What is the difference between Early Bird, Standard, and Late Registration?

These tiers refer to pricing deadlines. Early Bird offers the best savings and is available until [Insert Early Bird Deadline]. Standard pricing applies until [Insert Standard Deadline], and Late pricing applies thereafter.

Can I purchase add-ons separately (Intensive Course, Welcome Reception, Field Trip)?

Yes, you can add Intensive Courses ($160), the Welcome Networking Reception ($80), and Field Trips ($80) separately to your registration package.

When does registration open/close?

Registration is open now! Please check our [Register] page for specific deadlines for each registration tier.

What is included in a "Full Conference Access" pass?

Full conference access typically includes all General Sessions, Workshops, Breakout Sessions, and access to the Exhibitor Showcase. Please refer to the specific package descriptions on the [Register] page for details.
Scholarships

Are scholarships available for the conference?

 Yes, the National Farm to School Network is deeply committed to making the conference accessible through our "Increasing Access" scholarship program.

Who are scholarships prioritized for?

Scholarships are prioritized for individuals from key groups instrumental in advancing this work, including farmers, farm support organizations, farm-to-college/hospital practitioners, early care and education providers, food service professionals, youth leaders, and people of color. They are also prioritized for applicants from New Mexico and nearby states.

How do I apply for a scholarship?

You can learn more about eligibility and apply through the [Scholarships] section on our [Register] page.

When will I know if my scholarship application is successful?

Please refer to the scholarship application page for specific notification dates.
Program & Sessions

Where can I find the full conference program and session details?

The [Program Overview] page provides a high-level narrative and daily schedule. Full details and session descriptions will be posted this fall.

What are the conference tracks?

The conference features 8 tracks designed to support different areas of work: Producers; Local and Sustainable Procurement; Farm to Early Care and Education; Youth Voice; Food Sovereignty and Native Communities; Professional Development, Training, and Research; Education: Food, Agriculture, and Nutrition; and Policy and Advocacy.

Will there be opportunities for hands-on learning?

Yes, the program includes workshops, breakout sessions, and optional full-day Field Trips that offer hands-on experiences and actionable tools.

Will I be able to network with other attendees?

Absolutely! Building connections is central to the conference. We're integrating new networking features such as the Welcome Networking Reception, facilitated roundtables, peer learning sessions, and informal meetups.

What are the New Mexico Grown Golden Chile Awards?

These prestigious awards, presented by the New Mexico Grown Coalition, celebrate outstanding programs that champion local food systems and healthy eating across New Mexico. The ceremony will honor leaders in various tiers of involvement.
Travel & Accommodation

What airport should I fly into?

The Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is the primary airport serving Albuquerque.

How do I get to the Convention Center from the airport?

The Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Downtown and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Albuquerque both offer complimentary airport shuttle services. Ride-sharing services, taxis, and rental cars are also available.

What are the official conference hotels?

Our official conference hotels are the Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Downtown and the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Albuquerque. Both offer convenient access to the Convention Center.

How do I book my hotel room?

Information on official conference hotels, special rates, and booking links can be found on our [Hotel & Accommodations] page.

Is parking available at the Convention Center?

Yes, ample parking is available in garages surrounding the Albuquerque Convention Center. Parking rates may apply.
Exhibitors & Sponsors

How can my organization exhibit at the conference?

Information on Exhibitor Opportunities, benefits, pricing, and the registration form can be found on the [Exhibit] section of our [Exhibitors & Sponsors] page. Exhibitor registration opens in summer 2025.

How can my organization sponsor the conference?

Details on Sponsor Opportunities, including various tiers, benefits, and contact information for custom packages, are available on the [Sponsor] section of our [Exhibitors & Sponsors] page.

What kind of audience will I reach as an exhibitor or sponsor?

You'll engage with a vibrant ecosystem of 1,500+ engaged food system leaders and innovators, including decision-makers in nutrition, education, agriculture, and policy.

Can anyone attend the Partner Meeting?

You must be a current NFSN Partner or an advisory board member to attend our Partner Meeting. If you are not yet a Partner organization but want to join us, we encourage you to sign up—it’s free to join our network as a Partner organization! You can explore our network of Partners across the country and learn more about becoming a Partner at farmtoschool.org/our-network  

Can I attend both the NFSN Partner Meeting and the CA F2S Summit?

Yes, your registration for NFSN’s Partner Meeting includes access to the California Farm to School Summit on Thursday, October 15! You do not have to be a California-based Partner to attend the California Farm to School Summit. As part of our partnership with CDFA, we are offering this joint programming as an additional benefit to all our Partners.

If I'm a California-based Partner, should I still register with NFSN?

Yes, if you are a California-based Partner, we encourage you to register with NFSN so that you can attend both our Partner Meeting and California Farm to School Summit with one ticket.

What is the cost of attending?

The registration fee is $150. This includes attendance to our Partner Meeting as well as the California Farm to School Summit.

When does registration open and close?

  • Registration opens on June 25, 2026
  • Registration closes on September 15, 2026

What is your registration ticket refund policy?

Refunds will be honored minus a restrocking fee of 20% through September 30, 2026. No refunds will be offered after September 30, 2026.

Are scholarships or travel support available?

Yes, we have a limited number of scholarships available for both registration and travel support. The deadline for scholarship application is July 10, 2026 at 11:59pm EST.  

When will I know if my scholarship application is successful?

Our plan is to notify applicants by August 3, 2026.

Where should I book my hotel room?

You are welcome to book your accommodation at a location of your choice—please see our recommended list of hotels below! NFSN will offer a limited hotel block. We recommend booking early once our hotel block is announced if you are interested in utilizing our block. Stay tuned for more details!

What is the dress code?

We encourage you to dress for your comfort! Please take into consideration that our programming on Thursday, October 15 will be located outdoors on Soil Born Farms, with potential activities involving some walking such as farm tours. Consider wearing swag to represent your school or program!
Recommended Hotels
Attendees are responsible for securing their own accommodations. We recommend the following hotels at or near our venue: 

2026 Partner Meeting Supporters

Questions?

For general inquiries, please contact: 

Karena Poke
Operations Assistant

karena@farmtoschool.org

For questions about joining as a new Partner, please contact: 

Trisha Bautista
Programs Director

trisha@farmtoschool.org

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