Sponsors

1. How we can help • WSU King County Extension Farm-to-School Program can provide: • Resources relating to existing farm-to-school program models • Guidance and information on government or school district policies that support farm-to-school work • Referrals to other school districts, parents or farms who are working in this area. • Contact us for information on: • How to start the conversation at your school • How to connect to farms to provide food or education for the students at your school • How to reach schools and other institutions who may wish to buy produce from your farm For Strengthening Farm-to-School Connections Mission To improve health and enhance agriculture by linking farms and schools Tricia Sexton Farm-to-School Program Washington State University King County Extension 200 Mill Ave. South, Suite 100 Renton, WA 98057 Tricia.sexton@kingcounty.gov (206) 205-3206 WSU King County Extension is working to improve health and enhance local agriculture by strengthening connections between farms and schools for better food, better education and better choices. Vision • Local, state and school policies that support using Washington foods in schools, colleges and universities. • Children, young adults and families choose and enjoy Washington foods. • Students and communities have an experiential understanding of how food is grown, and the environmental and health impacts of our food choices • Farming in Washington is thriving and economically viable. Sponsors Goals WSU KCE Farm-to-School Program works in collaboration with the WSU Small Farms Team to connect farms to schools around Washington State. • Nutritious school meals that incorporate high quality, locally grown foods. • Strong, viable Washington farms. • Informed, conscious food choices that support local agriculture and good land stewardship. Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.

2. Our Programs WSU King County Extension (WSU KCE) Small Farms and Food Systems programs work to create a healthier, more sustainable and equitable food system for King County. Through a systems-based approach to improving food access, nutrition education, sustainable farming, food production, processing and distribution, and community and economic development, we foster stronger and mutually beneficial connections among all food system stakeholders. Farm-to-School Connections Team Open meetings for panel discussions, networking and information sharing Farm-to-School Connections list serve Announcements, discussion and information Farm-to-School News Digest Blog News on local, national and international farm-to-school happenings and debates, with an eye toward informing our local efforts in Seattle, King County and Washington state. www.f2snewsdigest.blogspot.com Web Resources Good Practice case studies, links to food and farming curriculum resources, policy information and updates, and links to organizations working on Farm-to-School www.farmtoschoolwashington.org The farm-to-school program at WSU KCE serves as a resource for information for all stakeholders in a broad range of farm-to-school activities, and conducts research to identify interest, needs, and obstacles for local purchasing for schools and other institutions. Recent Accomplishments Local Farms-Healthy Kids Act passed in the Washington State legislature in 2008, with technical assistance and participation by WSU KCE Farm-to-School staff and several Connections Team members. Harvest of the Season, a Food$ense school nutrition education program, sourced food from farms in King County for over 700 students in the 2007-2008 school year, with the assistance of Farm-to-School staff. Farm-to-School Connections Team meetings in 2007-2008 included panel discussions with school nutrition services directors, farmers, food processors and distributors, educators, and parents, as well as focused conversations about state and local policy for farm-to-school. Two Angry Moms screening and panel discussion of the documentary about two moms’crusade to improve food at their kids’ school, and what they learned along the way. WSU KCE co-sponsored with Whole Foods Redmond and Bastyr University. • What does Farm-to-School mean? • Locally grown food in cafeterias and other school food programs • School gardens and education • Farm fieldtrips • Farmers and chefs in the classroom • School salad bars • Policy change to support these projects, including measures for farmland preservation, funding for school nutrition services, and agricultural stewardship and nutrition education Farm-to-School Connections Team The Farm-to-School Connections Team is composed of individuals committed to developing a directed approach to expanding school menus to include locally grown food, implementing education about food and farming, and increasing opportunities to learn directly from farmers, chefs, and others who grow and prepare food. We are an ever expanding state-wide partnership seeking to engage all interested parties in the issue of healthy, local food. We want to reach beyond schools to include other institutions (hospitals, senior centers, etc.) and to serve as the central organization for farm-to-school activities throughout the state of Washington. .