Farm To School Program

1. Farm To School Program Mr. Nassivera’s Summer Economics Class

2. General Information

3. General Information on farm to school programs Farm to school is a program through which schools buy and feature locally produced, farm-fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables, eggs , honey , meat, and beans on their menus. Farm to school also is a nationwide movement that connects local farmers who can provide fresh, seasonal produce with school food services for healthier school lunches. It would help boost the local economy, keeping money in the community.

4. Health Information Evidence from numerous studies points to the critical role diet plays in Chronic Disease Risk. Treatment costs for diet-related diseases are mounting: $147 billion for obesity, $116 billion for diabetes & hundreds of billions to treat cardiovascular disease & certain cancers Most of these issues could be avoided by choosing healthy eating and exercising. Healthier habits may lead to lower health care costs

5. Participating Schools Having healthy food in schools gives kids the chance to make healthy choices. It teaches kids about being environmentally friendly and teaches them about agriculture Farm to school is in over 400 school districts across 23 states. Some of these local schools include : Saratoga Springs City School, Averill Park Central School and Bridgehampton School District The number of schools that participate in Farm to School programs is below desired standards.

6. 10 Positive Things tastes and looks better supports local families builds trust builds community preserves open space keeps taxes down benefits the environment & wildlife makes a lighter carbon footprint preserves genetic diversity investment in our future

7. Logistics and cost

8. Getting started The best place to start is by building a trusting relationship between buyers and sellers. To build this trust, it also helps to start small (i.e., one school or one cafeteria, or even one type of food/produce, such as a salad bar) Starting small not only helps build trust, it also reduces initial costs and makes the program more manageable and feasible.

9. Grants Galore There are plenty of grants available to schools looking to implement farm to school programs. Captain Planet Foundation $250 - $2,500 Grants Plum $500 Youth Grants Operation Green Plant - Free Seed Grants The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation's Fruit Tree Orchard Grant Farm to School Grant Program

10. Things to bear in mind • Current contract agreements our school has with food service companies • Lack of knowledge of food service staff in how to store and prepare fresh farm products and meet mandated portion requirements(we need real cooks!) • Lack of availability of many fresh farm products during certain times of the year

11. Distribution Plan Schools or institutions purchase produce at a local farmers' market. To ensure that our school gets the type and quantity of produce they desire, orders are placed in advance with specific vendors. A coordinator is required to order, pick up, and deliver produce from the market to the schools.

12. Examples of success Ventura Unified School District has salad bars operating at three elementary schools and has expanded nutrition services, healthy meal options, and nutrition education at 24 schools through its Child Nutrition Services Program. The start up cost of the salad bar program was approximately $6,800, paid for with grant funds, but now with more experience, school salad bars start up costs have dropped to about $3,400.

13. Education

14. General Farm Schooling Education Ideas • Aside from Home Economics and Food Science classes, students could partake in classes where they grow their own organic produce • The classes will teach the students how to plant, take care of, and eventually make meals out of their very own organically grown food

15. Recipes • Fruit Smoothie • 1 cup red/black raspberries • ½ cup strawberries • ½ cup blueberries • 1 cup of ice • 2 splashes of fat free skim milk • Vegetable wrap (tomato, spinach, wheat) • ¼ green bell pepper • ½ cucumber sliced in strips • Finely chopped cilantro • Thin layer of guacamole • 2 tomato slices • ¼ cup chopped, fresh lettuce

16. Recipes Con’t • Stir Fry • 1 ½ cups snowshoe peas • 1 zucchini • 1 Cup chopped asparagus • 2 cups cubed chicken • ¼ cup evoo • 1 Tsp of finely minced garlic • Turkey Burger • 1/2 ground turkey • 1 Dash of salt and pepper • 1/4 cup chopped onions • To prepare: • Place Turkey burger on whole wheat bun, topped with fresh vegetables of students choice

17. Workshops and Presentations The Program is organizing workshops and presentations across the United States . To inform locals about farm to school projects This work shop brings together farmers, school food service directors, parents, and community organizers.

18. Contacts • Washington County Farms 415 Lower Main St. Hudson Falls, NY - Paula Schafer 746-2560 • Row to Hoe Farm 28 Thomas Ave. Hudson Falls, NY - Carl Deppe 747-9492

19. Contacts Con’t • Mack Brook Farm 312 McEachron Hill Rd. Argyle, NY -Kevin Jaclonski 638-6187 • Wild At Heart Farm 75 Burt Rd. Gansvoort, NY -Donna Mullen 793-2032

20. Contacts Con’t • Sheldon Farms 4363 Rt. 22 Salem, NY -Pat and Albert Sheldon 854-7847 • Hicks Orchard 18 Hicks Rd. Granville, NY -Susan Knapp 642-1788

21. Questions to Ask • Are you big enough to supply a school? • What can you supply? • Do you have problems with • Liability insurance? • Access to processing, packaging, storage and transporting?