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2016 Northern Nevada School Garden Conference. Farm to School in Nevada-- What’s Going on?. Introductions. Catrina Peters MS, RD School Nutrition Services Manager, Nevada Department of Agriculture Nevada Lead, National Farm to School Network Ashley Jeppson
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2016 Northern Nevada School Garden Conference
Farm to School in Nevada-- What’s Going on?
Introductions • Catrina Peters MS, RD • School Nutrition Services Manager, Nevada Department of Agriculture • Nevada Lead, National Farm to School Network • Ashley Jeppson • Agriculturalist, Nevada Department of Agriculture • Our awesome partners and funders! • Nevada Department of Agriculture, Urban Roots, Desert Farming Initiative, Washoe County Parks and Recreation, United States Department of Agriculture-Farm to School Grant
Why are we here today? • Identify resources that can help build or enhance school garden programs • Build connections and future collaborations (learn from each other!) • Share resources to overcome Farm to School challenges—let’s push this movement forward
What are some F2S challenges? • School garden longevity • Implementing food safety practices • Procurement-formal/informal contracting • Knowing best practices for growing in a school garden • Funding • Curriculum integration
F2S in Nevada • Growing movement! • Many (awesome) folks are involved • Non-profits • Farms and Farmers • Distributors and Suppliers • Higher Ed Institutions, Cooperative Extension • Government Agencies
Nevada Department of Agriculture • 4 Divisions • Animal Industry Division • Consumer Equitability Division • Plant Industry Division • NEW ADDITION: Food and Nutrition Division
School Nutrition Services • Community Nutrition • Food Safety / Dairy Lab • Warehouse Food & Nutrition
Plant Industry Entomology Noxious Weeds Produce Safety Plant Pathology Seed Certification Specialty Crop Grant Program Grant opportunity for F2S!
Plant Industry School Nutrition Farm to School
School Garden Food Safety Program 2012 USDA F2S Grantee Focus on Food Safety
NDA Farm to School Webpage http://nutrition.nv.gov/Programs/Farm_to_School/Farm_to_School_Program/
School Garden Food Safety Guidelines Why is food safety important? • We want to be able to eat the produce safely! • minimizes food borne illness risks • creates habits that can be shared at home • one garden could affect all school garden programs
Food Safety Importance Continued…. • afood safety program may be requested by a health inspector • necessary for incorporating produce into a school meal program “food safety is cool”-Ashley Jeppson
First of all, why send out a survey? Food Service Directors expressed a desire to purchase local but are unaware of what is available
We set out to collect baseline data on… • Nevada grown produce • What? • When? • How Much? • educational activities • Who’s interested?
Received data on: apples – beef – berries – broccoli – carrots – corn – cucumbers - leafy greens – milk – onions – peas – pork – potatoes – squash – tomatoes - zucchini Items with no response: chicken - dairy products - peaches
http://nutrition.nv.gov/Programs/Farm_to_School/Farm_to_School_Program/http://nutrition.nv.gov/Programs/Farm_to_School/Farm_to_School_Program/ Producers Map
What did we learn? Producers would like to discuss forward contracting / food planning with schools Also interested in participating in education activities like Farmer in the Classroom This presents an opportunity for training and technical assistance
Farm to Cafeteria …in Nevada!
How do I Get Involved? • “Like” our facebook page • https://www.facebook.com/NevadaFarmToSchool
How do I Get Involved? • Join our e-newsletter distribution list • Click “e-news” on our website • Grant opportunities • Learning opportunities • Conference call announcements • Send in submissions if you have them!
Funding Opportunities • SCBG • USDA F2S Grant • List of grant opportunities on NDA page • http://nutrition.nv.gov/Programs/Farm_to_School/Resources/
Generally, there is a lot of interest and support for F2S activities • Reach out and get connected to peers and resources
Questions? Catrina Peters, MS, RD School Nutrition Services Manager Nevada Department of Agriculture Food & Nutrition Division (775) 353-3751 cpeters@agri.nv.gov Ashley Jeppson Agriculture Inspector Farm to School Grant Coordinator Nevada Department of Agriculture (775) 353-3675 ajeppson@agri.nv.gov