cuyahoga farm to school presentation

www.farmtoschool.org

National Farm to School NetworkDebra EschmeyerCuyahoga County School Built Environment ConferenceNovember 13, 2009

Transform the Tray


Let’s add some color!


Session Take-AwaysComponents of a Farm to School programResources to engage communities


8 Regional Lead Agencies

Training & Technical Assistance

Policy

Networking

Media & Marketing

Information Services

2000+ programs in 42 states


Health: Kids Win

The choice of healthier options in the cafeteria through farm to school meals results in consumption of more fruits and vegetables with an average increase of one serving per day, including at home.


Agriculture: Farmers Win

Farm to School programs can open up the expansive school food market, estimated at more than $12 billion a year, to socially disadvantaged farmers.


Economy: Communities Win

For every dollar spent on local foods in schools, one to three dollars circulate in the local economy.


Student: Why don’t we get fresh lettuce and local watermelon at school lunch ?Parent

Food Service Director Principal

National Food DistributorSchool Board

Food Processor Teacher

Nutritionist Contracted Food Service Provider


Contracts with food manufacturers commissary kitchens prepared foods

Contracts with national distributors and fast food chains

Minimal preparation mostly heated and served


Local slaughterhouses

Local food preservation Local commissary kitchen

Regional aggregation sites and direct sales

Seasonally-based cooking with all local menus

Local foods

in cafeterias

Lesser food waste, reusables, compostable food trays,

increased awareness

Less pesticide / chemical use on land, water, air, less

energy used

Care for natural resources

Healthier, local , less processed foods, Consumer knows where

food is coming from


“ Farm to School programs connect school food with local agriculture to create a strategy that increases the profitability of farming, improves the quality of school meals, and re-create relationships in the community among consumers and the people who grow their food.”


Fresh, local foods served in cafeterias


School Gardens


Cooking and Taste Tests


Farm tours


Nutrition and Agriculture Education


Family Meals

Food – Culture Connections


Waste Management

Programs


Farm to School: VERMONTVermont FEED (Food Education Every Day)

A community-based approach to school food systems change through 3 C’s: Classroom, Cafeteria, and Community10 years and over 150 Vermont schoolsFarm to school movement in Vermont is building on food system partnerships and relationships:

– farmers and food service - distributors and farmers–schools and communities - government and non-profit


Farm to School: PENNSYLVANIA

The Kindergarten Initiativewww.thefoodtrust.org

Healthy Snacks made with locally sourced fruit, vegetable, grain and dairy productsIntegration of Nutrition and Agriculture EducationParent outreach and involvement activitiesEducational Farm Trips2004 , 4 schools, 1 district2009- 67 schools, 10 districts, 3 states


Farm to School: FLORIDA

New North Florida CooperativeFarmer-led: 60-100 farmers72 School Districts1,000,000 studentsLeafy greens, sweet potato sticks, green beans, watermelon, okra, strawberries, muscadine


Farm to School: WASHINGTON 2002 one school, Olympia District, organic salad bar, local purchasing

Fruit and Vegetable consumption increased 30%, participation 16%

Washington State Department of Agriculture, Office of State Procurement, Environmental Council

To protect farmland, improve kid’s health, and reduce energy and waste, all by promoting local foods

March of 2008 – Local Farms-Healthy Kids HB 2798 / SB 6483 passes


Local Farms-Healthy Kids ActPolicy alliance was spearheaded by environmental group with farm preservation, public health, anti-poverty advocatesComprehensive legislation:

2 Full Time positions to coordinate local food procurement inside of Departments of Ag and EducationRequires all state food contracts to include a plan to maximize the availability of Washington grown food purchased through the contract.Expands and increases funding for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program- WIC and low-income seniorsWashington Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program to low-income schoolsFarmers Market Technology Program- for wireless EBT cardsFood Bank Pilot for fresh, locally grown product


Local Product used in:-salad bars -hot entrees / other meal items-snack in classroom-taste tests-fundraisers

Educational Activities: -chef/farmer in class, cooking demos-greenhouses, waste management, recycling, and -composting-farm tours-harvest of the month-CSA in the classroom-School gardens

Implementing Farm to School


Let’s Get Started!- Start small—taste testing, farm tour, apples- Organize various stakeholders/hold a meeting- Research area farmers- Contact food service director and school

administration- Identify funding sources- Market the program- Volunteer



Debra Eschmeyer

[email protected]

419-753-3412

cuyahoga farm to school presentation

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