Adirondack Farm to School Initiative

Presentation to Lake PlacidSchool BoardAugust 2013

Initiative Goals• 15% local food in K-12 schools by 2015• Connecting School Gardens and Cafeterias• Obtaining grants to support • School gardens • Cafeteria infrastructure for local food preparation• Education events

15% Local Produce by 2015

Challenges• Access to processing

and distribution• Price comparisons• Cafeteria time

constraints, staff development and equipment

Opportunities• Processing and distribution• Purdy and Sons = regional food

distributor, Rulf’s Orchard, Byrne Dairy, Cabot Cheese, Agribusiness Development Kitchen (ADK) Paul Smiths College

• Price comparisons• (Carrots, Head Lettuce, Broccoli,

Butternut Squash, Green Beans) are cost competitive now

• Cafeteria Constraints• USDA Farm to School Grants

Connecting School Gardens to Cafeterias

Challenges• Disconnect between

cafeteria and students• Summer maintenance of

school gardens• Harvesting and

processing

Opportunities• Educational

• Practical skill development• Inquiry Based Experiential learning• Core Curriculum opportunities• Sustainability – best practices • Field trips

• College Outreach Opportunities• Food Summit Support

• Healthy Habits• Ownership – Food impact on health

outcomes• Carbon footprint reduction

• Parent and Community Outreach

Producer Survey Results

Farmers in Franklin, Essex, and Clinton counties were surveyed in June and July of 2013. Survey established by the North Country Healthy Heart Network and distributed by Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Price Comparisons

Local/Purdy's QuandtsCalifornia blend $24.90 $15.78Butternut squash $29.25 $22.95Green beans $15.25 $24.90Carrots $15.35 $16.50Corn $22.90 $15.84Broccoli $23.90 $20.27

Long-term Price ComparisonCrop Current Price for year’s

supplyLocal Price for year’s supply

Carrots $1143.05 (Baby) $990 (whole, washed)

Potatoes $104.39 $440.00

Head Lettuce $407.10 $442.50

Baby Spinach $17.44 $20.00

Based on actual prices and quantities in the 2012-2013 school year and on current prices and availability as reported by local farmers.

Adirondack Farm to School Initiative begins with party

at Petrova SchoolAdirondack Daily Enterprise, June 5, 2013

Eating healthy: Petrova hosts ‘Farm to School’ Initiative

Adirondack Daily Enterprise, June 8, 2013“If Thursday's party at the Petrova School is any indication of how the Adirondack Farm to School Initiative will be received in the near future, area students will be eating a lot healthier with local farms paving the way.”-Adirondack Daily Enterprise

Shipman Youth Center Garden at Lake Placid High School and educational field trip to

Fledgling Crow Farm