Farm to School Network

Goal

The National Farm to School Network envisions a nation in which Farm to School programs are an essential component of strong and just local and regional food systems, ensuring the health of all school children, farms, the environment, economy and communities.

Initiative Objective

Farm to School is broadly defined as a program that connects schools (K-12) and local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing agriculture, health and nutrition education opportunities, and supporting local and regional farmers. Farm to School programs exist in all 50 states, but since Farm to School is a grassroots movement, programs are as diverse as the communities that build them. The National Farm to School Network does not prescribe or impose a list of practices or products for the Farm to School approach.
At its core, Farm to School is about establishing relationships between local foods and school children. Farm to School programs include (but are not limited to):

Including local products in school meals-breakfast, lunch, afterschool snacks-and in taste tests, educational tools and classrooms snacks.
Introducing food-related curriculum development and experiential learning opportunities through school gardens, farm tours, farmer in the classroom sessions, chefs in the classroom, culinary education, educational sessions for parents and community members and visits to farmers' markets.

The National Farm to School Network aims to enable every child to have access to nutritious food while simultaneously benefiting communities and local farmers.