What is Farm to School?
Farm to School initiatives are popping up throughout New York and all over the country – in day care centers, in public and private schools, and in colleges and universities. These programs focus on featuring locally grown, healthy foods in school meals. They often also include other components such as classroom lessons on food and nutrition; visits to farms and farmers’ markets; creation of school gardens, and the support of school-based community supported agriculture (CSA) programs.
What is Local?
Local means many different things to different people. To some, local could be within a 30 mile radius, where other organizations have expanded that radius to 400 miles! Some organizations do not qualify something as local based on the distance traveled, but by whether the product was made in that state, or surrounding states. According to New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, "local" refers to any product grown or produced in the state of New York.
The 3 C's of Farm to School
Benefits of Farm to School
Research shows Farm to School provides a multitude of benefits.
✔ Address diet-related problems among our youth
✔ Develop an appreciation for the importance of agriculture
✔ Preserve open-space and the natural environment
✔ Promote strong community food security networks
Thank you to NYS Dept.of Ag.& Markets for this information.
Becky O'Connor
Farm to Institution Coordinator
rao84@cornell.edu
(845) 706-0293
Last updated October 1, 2024