Use the search critera to narrow your search results or scroll through our entire library, located below. Checking boxes in multiple search categories will narrow your results; checking multiple boxes in the same category will expand your results. The date listed on a resource indicates when it was published if that date is known; otherwise the date indicates when the resource was added.

Resources

Policy Spotlight: Farm to School Grants for Producers

National Farm to School Network
 | 
October 28, 2024

This resource highlights how California and Oregon have developed farm to school grant tracks specifically for local producers. These grants help producers scale operations to meet school demand by funding critical infrastructure, such as refrigeration and greenhouses. Both state programs reflect a commitment to equity, supporting values-aligned farmer groups and/or growing practices.

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Farm to School Month Stickers

National Farm to School Network
 | 
October 1, 2024

Celebrate Farm to School Month with the National Farm to School Network! Find below downloadable sticker templates for use during National Farm to School Month. These designs fit a 2.5 inch circular sticker.

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How the Designs of Local Food Purchasing Incentives Affect Spending on Local Food

National Farm to School Network
 | 
September 19, 2024

Program designs for LFPIs vary greatly and can support education, nutritional quality, equity, and environmental sustainability. For some stakeholders, the economic impact of LFPIs is a top priority. This resource combines both a theoretical and evidence-based approach to answer the question: "How do different LFPI models affect participant spending on local food?"

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Embedding Equity in Farm to School

National Farm to School Network
 | 
September 12, 2024

The National Farm to School Network issued a Call to Action that 100% of communities will hold power in a racially just food system. Incorporating a racial equity lens into programs, policies, and other farm to school activities is essential for addressing the fundamental causes of racial and social inequalities. It serves as an upstream method to transform food systems. This resource presents ways to integrate an equity focus into your work.

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Benefits of Local Food Purchasing Incentives

National Farm to School Network
 | 
June 3, 2024

The National Farm to School Network’s influential fact sheet, “The Benefits of Farm to School" showcases program benefits to: Economic Development, Public Health, Education, Environment, and Equity and Community Engagement. This resource focuses on aggregating insights specific to the benefits of LFPI programs to date.

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What is Values-Based Purchasing?

National Farm to School Network
 | 
June 3, 2024

Values-aligned purchasing, also referred to as values-based purchasing, looks into the attributes related to the foods that are purchased and the people producing them. Institutions should consider values-based purchasing not only for the immediate benefits it brings to local communities but also for its broader societal and environmental impact. This resource is intended to provide an overview of values-aligned purchasing and a framework for categorizing values.

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An Introduction to Local Food Purchasing Incentives

National Farm to School Network and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
 | 
May 29, 2024

Local Food Purchasing Incentives (LFPIs) are programs that provide additional funding to child nutrition program (CNP) operators to directly offset or incentivize local food purchases. This document provides an introduction to LFPIs.

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Farm to School Local Food Purchasing Incentives: Program Administration

National Farm to School Network and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
 | 
May 29, 2024

Local Food Purchasing Incentives (LFPIs) are programs that provide additional funding to child nutrition program (CNP) operators to directly offset or incentivize local food purchases. Typically funded and operated at the state level, these programs intend to increase purchasing of local foods in school and early care and education (ECE) settings. This resource aims to illustrate important aspects of LFPI administration, show examples of collaboration, and address common challenges faced by administrators.

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Farm to School Local Food Purchasing Incentives: Program Development Considerations and Team Planning Guide

National Farm to School Network and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
 | 
May 29, 2024

Local Food Purchasing Incentives (LFPIs) are programs that provide additional funding to child nutrition program (CNP) operators to directly offset or incentivize local food purchases. Typically funded and operated at the state level, these programs intend to increase purchasing of local foods in school and early care and education (ECE) settings. The purpose of this resource is to provide LFPI program designers and stakeholders with essential questions to create programs, or modify elements of existing programs.

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Expanded Local Food Purchasing Incentives: Programs that Reimburse More Than Local Food

National Farm to School Network and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food System
 | 
May 29, 2024

Local food purchasing incentives (LFPIs) are programs that provide additional funding to child nutrition program (CNP) operators to directly offset or incentivize local food purchases. As interest continues to rise in local food purchasing incentive (LFPI) policies, the conversations around them are expanding beyond prioritizing purchases based simply on whether they are “local” foods. This resource provides an overview of expanded LFPI designs and offers benefits of administering an expanded LFPI.

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Farm to School Local Food Purchasing Incentives: Incorporating Additional Values

National Farm to School Network and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
 | 
May 29, 2024

Local food purchasing incentives (LFPIs) are programs that provide additional funding to child nutrition program operators to directly offset or incentivize local food purchases. As interest continues to rise in local food purchasing incentive (LFPI) policies, the conversations around them are expanding beyond prioritizing purchases based simply on whether they are “local” foods. This resources shares examples of values-aligned purchasing in LFPI programs. This concept paper aims to inspire further conversation and future action.

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Farm to School Local Food Purchasing Incentives: What if States Funded Farmers to Sell to Schools?

National Farm to School Network and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
 | 
May 29, 2024

State-level local food purchasing incentives (LFPIs) programs typically provide funding to schools to purchase local foods from local producers — but what if this narrative was flipped to create “farmer-focused” incentives? This resource considers alternative ways that policymakers can directly subsidize local farmers, food hubs, and other producers to increase their sales to K–12 schools and early care and educational (ECE) settings.

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Farm to School Local Food Purchasing Incentives: An Introduction to State-Level Policies to Support Farm to School Local Food Purchasing Since 2020

National Farm to School Network and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
 | 
May 29, 2024

Local Food Purchasing Incentives (LFPIs) are programs that provide additional funding to child nutrition program (CNP) operators to directly offset or incentivize local food purchases. Typically funded and operated at the state level, these programs intend to increase purchasing of local foods in school and early care and education (ECE) settings. Learn more about state-level policies that support farm to school local food purchasing in this resource.

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Addressing Messaging Roadblocks to School Meals for All

National Farm to School Network
 | 
May 14, 2024

Despite the momentum for School Meals for All, many people still express skepticism about the need or value of SM4A. In this resource, we list arguments often raised as roadblocks to SM4A policies, and compile responses that others have used to address these roadblocks throughout their advocacy.

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How School Meals for All Can Improve Meal Quality and Put Local Food on the Menu

National Farm to School Network
 | 
February 29, 2024

Farm to school, values-aligned purchasing, and School Meals for All policies (a.k.a. universal meals) work together to transform school food. Notably, all states with permanent School Meals for All also have strong farm to school policies, with 88% implementing local food purchasing incentive policies. This resource explains the immediate and long-term benefits of School Meals for All that results in improved overall meal quality.

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Farm to School Act of 2023 Fact Sheet

National Farm to School Network
 | 
January 12, 2024

In 2023, the Farm to School Act has been reintroduced. On behalf of the Network, NFSN staff worked with policymakers in the House and Senate to increase both the mandatory funding and grant cap to the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program grants at USDA. Learn more about the Farm to School Act of 2023 and its importance in this fact sheet.

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Advancing Racial and Social Equity in Wisconsin Farm to School

University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Human Ecology
 | 
November 15, 2023

This study aims to better understand how Wisconsin’s historically underserved producers are participating in farm to school procurement, with a focus on understanding how to make their participation in school food supply chains easier and more profitable. To examine trends, a statewide survey was launched in February of 2023 and six focus groups were held between February and April 2023. In total, 38 survey responses were gathered and 21 producers participated in focus groups.

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Adapting Vermont FEED's Farm to School Institute Model for the Early Childhood Audience

National Farm to School Network
 | 
October 31, 2023

Vermont FEED's Farm to School Institute is a proven model for developing robust and sustainable farm to school programs nationwide. The model's success lies in its ability to engage whole-school teams in building shared leadership and capacity to implement farm to school initiatives by connecting the dots between what happens in classrooms, cafeterias, and communities. The Farm to School Institute is designed to be adaptable, and the model is being replicated in states across the country, with a growing interest in adapting the institute to serve Farm to Early Childhood audiences. This guide provides recommended approaches, strategies, and considerations for states when planning and implementing a Farm to Early Childhood Institute.

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Pennsylvania Local Food Purchasing Incentive Investigation

Penn State University, Department of Nutritional Sciences and Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Food and Nutrition
 | 
October 20, 2023

An investigation was undertaken to gather information and perspectives about LFPI programs from various stakeholders both in states that have existing programs and within Pennsylvania. Information collected is intended to inform possible future decisions and efforts related to the potential establishment of a program in Pennsylvania.

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Operationalizing Equity: How State Entities are Targeting Socially Disadvantaged Producers in USDA’s LFS and LFPA Cooperative Agreement Programs

Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems, Arizona State University
 | 
October 10, 2023

This study explores how state governments are using LFPA and LFS funding to develop or advance local food purchasing programs that target socially disadvantaged producers. Tribal governments were also eligible to apply for these programs, however none were engaged for this project, therefore further research is needed to understand program design by Tribal cooperators. Based on findings from a survey and interviews with state agencies, we share examples of how these programs are operationalizing equity in program design, measurement, outreach, and implementation. We discuss how learnings and outcomes can advance equity in state and federal programs.

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Sample Farm to School Month Government Resolutions

National Farm to School Network
 | 
August 30, 2023

Resolutions and proclamations recognizing Farm to School Month are a great way to build awareness and support amongst state and local policymakers, particularly in areas where passing more comprehensive financial support for farm to school/ECE programs is challenging.

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Putting the CRUNCH in Farm to School Month!

National Farm to School Network
 | 
August 30, 2023

One way that many states and regions come together each year is by hosting “crunch” events. This infographic outlines a step-by-step guide to hosting a crunch event. By encouraging schools throughout a state and region to crunch into a local food on a specific day, at a specified time, or even simply anytime during the month of October, crunch events create a unifying experience and a sense of camaraderie amongst National Farm to School Month celebrators.

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Farm to School Month Bookmarks

National Farm to School Network
 | 
August 29, 2023

Downloadable and customizable bookmarks to celebrate National Farm to School Month. Three download options are available. Use a PDF editor (several free versions are available online) to open the files and add information about local Farm to School Month events to the backside of the bookmarks.

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Farm to School Month Poster

National Farm to School Network
 | 
August 29, 2023

Farm to school month posters, newly redesigned in collaboration with artist Rachel Yumi Chung! Get inspired with our downloadable poster, available in two sizes below. Perfect for printing out for classrooms, cafeterias, and even as an eye-catching poster for your presentations.

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Farm to School and Universal Meals in California: A Case Study of AB 130

National Farm to School Network
 | 
August 24, 2023

As part of National Farm to School Network’s Who’s At the Table? School Meals Campaign, we are releasing four spotlights of states that have successfully implemented universal meals. This fourth case study presents a deep dive into California's Assembly Bill 130 and how the state made history by becoming the first in the nation to permanently provide free school meals to all K–12 public school students. View the full report below to find a detailed bill overview, top tips that helped the coalition succeed, as well as the practical wins and challenges that advocates experienced during implementation.‍‍

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Farm to School and Universal Meals in Colorado: A Case Study of Proposition FF

National Farm to School Network
 | 
August 21, 2023

As part of National Farm to School Network’s Who’s At the Table? School Meals Campaign, we are releasing four spotlights of states that have successfully implemented universal meals. This third case study presents a deep dive into Colorado's Proposition FF and how the campaign effectively built community power through an explicit intention to bring together a diverse, equitable coalition.

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USDA's Local Food for Schools & Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Programs: Lessons From Our Network

National Farm to School Network
 | 
August 9, 2023

This policy brief provides detailed information about the projects supported by USDA's LFS and LFPA programs and the involvement of NFSN partners at the state level. Our objectives are to identify the main project models across the country, understand the challenges associated with these programs, and determine actions to support implementation and advocacy efforts.

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Advocating for Farm to School: How to Host Site Visits

National Farm to School Network
 | 
July 12, 2023

Showcasing your farm to school program in person is one of the most impactful ways to advocate for farm to school. Some officials may have never heard of farm to school before, and site visits are a great opportunity for them to learn more. Giving decision makers at any level or branch of government the opportunity to experience your farm to school program firsthand will not only make them familiar with farm to school, but also allow them to interact with those who benefit the most.

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Farm to Early Care and Education Positions Brief 2023

National Farm to School Network
 | 
July 7, 2023

This report surveys state-wide Farm to Early Childhood Education (ECE) positions and the nature and scope of their work, outlining partnerships, funding sources, and their impact on the Farm to ECE movement. This report was offered in partnership between National Farm to School Network and the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) with the goal of presenting potential state position models for the field.

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Partner Spotlight: Culture and Values in Hawai’i Farm to School Policy

National Farm to School Network
 | 
July 6, 2023

This report provides an overview of Hawai'i's farm to school policy and shares how the legislation and advocacy strategies have been guided by traditional Hawaiian culture and values. Learn about culturally relevant and Indigenous foodways as well as concepts such as aloha, ʻāina, and kuleana in the context of policymaking. 

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How to Meet With Your Legislator: Message Template & Best Practices

National Farm to School Network
 | 
June 21, 2023

Having an in-person meeting or hosting legislators at site visits can be a crucial tool for advocating for the Farm Bill or other policy priorities. It provides a tangible and firsthand experience for lawmakers to witness the positive impact of farm-to-school programs and builds relationships that can drive meaningful policy change. This resource contains a message template to reach out to your legislator and best practices for preparing for your in-person visit.

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National Farm to School Network's 2023 Farm Bill Policy Priorities

National Farm to School Network
 | 
May 16, 2023

The Farm Bill, a package of federal legislation renewed by Congress every five years, sets agriculture and food assistance policies that touch every aspect of farm to school and farm to early care and education (ECE) activity. This platform reflects NFSN’s support for policy changes within our core sphere of expertise, and wider spheres where we can stand in solidarity with calls to shift the economic, cultural, and decision-making power governing our food system.

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Farm to School and Universal Meals in Maine: A Case Study of LD 1679

National Farm to School Network
 | 
May 11, 2023

As part of National Farm to School Network’s Who’s At the Table? School Meals Campaign, we are releasing four spotlights of states that have successfully implemented universal meals. This second case study presents a deep dive into Maine’s LD 1679, and how the state’s small, nimble coalition has leveraged their state’s deep commitment to farm to school to pass universal school meals.

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Farm to Early Childhood in New England: an Ecosystem Assessment

Farm to Institution New England (FINE) and the New England Farm to Early Childhood Project Steering Committee
 | 
May 10, 2023

This illustrated and interactive overview of the farm to early childhood space across the six New England states was designed to help regional interest holders better understand the early childhood sector and to identify the key opportunities for expanding farm to early childhood activity across the six New England states.

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Farm to School and Universal Meals in Vermont: A Case Study of Act 151

National Farm to School Network
 | 
May 4, 2023

As part of National Farm to School Network’s Who’s At the Table? School Meals Campaign, we are releasing four spotlights of states that have successfully implemented universal meals. This first case study presents a deep dive into Vermont’s Act 151, and how the state’s coalition has created a “virtuous cycle” by connecting farm to school and universal meals in their advocacy.

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How to Communicate the Benefits of Values-Aligned Universal Meals

National Farm to School Network
 | 
April 3, 2023

At the National Farm to School Network, we believe that we need a system of school meals that serves all kids and values the people who get it to the table. But what are the best ways to communicate how our shared values can create healthy school meals for all kids and advocate for the policies to do that? We answered these questions by conducting a series of message and narrative testing with various audiences—download and read the brief below for a summary and key takeaways from the results.

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Who's At The Table? 2022 Movement Meeting

National Farm to School Network
 | 
October 28, 2022

This year's Movement Meeting focused on how communities have built power in their farm to school and ECE food systems work, and how we can build power together. We discussed what it means to hold power and the mechanisms at our disposal to shift power, heard from farm to school and ECE partners who have built power within their own communities, and took time to reflect on what it means to build power within our own communities.

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Farm to School and ECE Local Food Incentive Programs: The National Landscape Webinar

National Farm to School Network
 | 
October 13, 2022

Check out this webinar for a review of different designs of statewide incentive programs explored in a recent report released on the subject, and learn about support available for policy advocacy and education. Results from a national survey were also shared, highlighting the educational needs and values of stakeholders interested in learning more about procurement incentives.

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Food for a Better Future: Reach out to your candidate!

National Farm to School Network
 | 
August 4, 2022

This handy toolkit will provide you with step-by-step instructions, talking points, and further resources for you to reach out to your local candidates. Take 5 minutes TODAY to reach out to your local candidates and let them know that you care about school meals. 

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2021 National Farm to Early Care and Education Survey

National Farm to School Network, Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
 | 
August 3, 2022

In 2021, the National Farm to School Network and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems surveyed early care and education (ECE) providers across the country to better understand current initiatives, motivations and challenges in applying farm to ECE activities in early care and education settings.

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Farm to Early Care and Education Shared Metrics: Outcomes, Indicators, and Measures for Farm to ECE Evaluation

National Farm to School Network, Policy Equity Group
 | 
June 1, 2022

The Farm to Early Care and Education Shared Metrics resource is intended for farm to ECE practitioners and evaluators to guide planning, implementation, research, evaluation, and reporting efforts. The resource consists of a resource guide, a library of metrics specific to farm to ECE, and an orientation video.

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