Farm to School THE PROGRAM 3/28/2013. Overview. What is Farm to School?

Transcription

1 THE Farm to School PROGRAM Kirk Farquharson SERO Farm to School Coordinator FL SNA Annual Conference April 6, 2013» What is Farm to School?» Challenges and Solutions» Benefits» Why is USDA involved?» How is USDA involved?» Resources» Questions Overview Local Food Food Education What is Farm to School? 1

2 The term farm to school encompasses efforts that connect schools with local food producers in order to serve their products to children in cafeterias and classrooms. Procuring Local Foods for Schools Vegetables Meat, Poultry and Fish Beans, Grains, and Flour Dairy Fruits Eggs Local What? Farm to school programs can also include food, agriculture and nutritionbased educational efforts that cover a variety activities. The Educational Component 2

3 » Volume» Distribution» Price» Acceptance of new foods» Facilities» Time» Staff skills» Food safety Challenges, and Solutions! Farm to school programs are believed to:» Improve knowledge and attitudes toward food, agriculture, nutrition, and environment.» Increase fruit and vegetable consumption.» Increase market opportunities for producers.» Support economic development. Why Farm to School? Why is USDA involved? 3

4 Institutions receiving funds through the USDA Child Nutrition Programs are allowed to apply an optional geographic preference in the procurement of unprocessed locally grown or locally raised agricultural products. The Geographic Preference Option NERO WRO MPRO MWRO MARO SERO National Office SWRO FNS Staffing and Offices In November 2012, USDA will awarded more than $4.5 million in grants across the country, with $576,665 in the SE to support farm to school efforts.» Planning grants are for schools just starting to incorporate farm to school program elements into their operations.» Implementation grants are for schools and entities working in partnership with schools to scale or further develop existing farm to school initiatives. Farm to School Grants 4

5 » Agricultural Marketing Service» Economic Research Service» Forest Service» Farm Service Agency» National Agricultural Library» National Agriculture Statistics Service» National Institute of Food and Agriculture» Rural Development Other Involved USDA Agencies» HHS (CDC)» Let s Move involvement» Health and nutrition related grants» Research and research synthesis» DOE» Let s Move involvement» Green Ribbon Schools program» DOD» DoD Fresh Other Involved Federal Agencies States in the Southeast Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee 5

6 F2S Grant States in the Southeast Georgia -3 grants = $230,667 Kentucky 2 grants = $145,000 Mississippi 1 grant = $38,145 North Carolina 3 grants = $240,381 South Carolina 1 grant = 100,000 Tennessee 1 grant = $40,286 What are other States doing? Alabama»2012 Alabama State Legislature passed a bill allowing purchases of up to $150,000 from Alabama growers.»doe staff worked with DOD Prime Vendor to include watermelons, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, apples, Satsuma oranges, tomatoes, and grape and cherry tomatoes in FFV Catalog. Georgia»GA F2S Alliance has hosted 4 F2S Summits highlighting GA F2S Successes and Efforts.»DOE/DOA collaborated to sponsor Feed My School for a Week Kentucky»Involvement of FFA in F2S activities growing hydro lettuce; raised cattle for ground beef in School district for F2S Day.»Planning the Kentucky F2S Junior Chef Competition to culminate at the State Fair, crowning KY F2S Junior Chef Team champions. Mississippi»MS DOE collaborating with MS DOA and DOD to identify and procure MS produce through the DOD FFV program.»october 1-5 Farm to School Week featured MS grown frozen southern peas, cucumbers, grape tomatoes and frozen blueberries in all schools. 6

7 North Carolina»NC DACS procured and delivered 1,574,975 lbs of NC produce to schools.»nc DPI Collaborated with North Carolina State University, Cooperative Extension and 4H, and the University of North Carolina to develop Farm to School related resources, a school garden food safety curricula, and a GAPs to School program South Carolina»SC DOE hosted a recipe testing to develop standardized recipes for local produce.»sc F2S Team developed a State F2S grant program originally supported by ARRA funds. Tennessee»TN DOE developed Local Foods for Local Schools Week to encourage schools to service local farm products in CN programs. POS and promotional materials were developed and distributed State-wide.»TN DOE created a booklet detailing how to get started in Farm to School. At Farm to School Resources» Farm to School E-letter» Farm to School Grants» Farm to School related policies and policy guidance Check out the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass to find USDA-supported local and regional food projects in your area. Farm to School Resources 7

8 Kirk Farquharson Thank you! Questions? 8