National Farm to School Month

October is National Farm to School Month. Schools across the country take part in taste tests, nutrition education, harvest parties, and farm visits. This celebration is a great way to show kids where their food comes from, and to get them interested in trying new foods. The mission of National Farm to School Month is for schools to start out small. Start with one small activity to engage students, family, and community members. Once interest has been created, put a larger project into place and involve everyone. Farmtoschool.org has an abundance of resources for your schools and families to use when trying to implement some of these activities.

Here are some tips suggested by the National Farm to School Network

For Teachers:

• Plan nutrition education activities, such as Harvest of the Month, and feature a local food product that is in season.
• Connect instructional school gardens and garden-based learning activities to curriculum.
• Organize a farm tour or trip to the local farmers’ market.

For School Food Service Professionals:

• Promote National Farm to School Month on the school menu and in the cafeteria. Find logos, posters and more at farmtoschool.org.
• Do a taste test of local products or feature a special local item for lunch, breakfast or snack.
• Create a Farm to School salad bar using local produce.

For Families:

• Visit your local farmers’ market. Buy something you’ve never tried before, cook it and share with your family and friends.
• Cook with seasonal products as much as possible. Most state departments of agriculture or Buy Fresh Buy Local chapters offer a regional crop calendar.
• Volunteer at your local school to support a school garden or classroom educational activity.

For Farmers:

• Connect with your local school and offer to conduct a classroom session during October or offer to host a visit to your farm.
• Become a classroom pen pal. Farm field trips are great, but stories and photos from the farm are the next best things.
• Promote National Farm to School Month on your farm or at your farmers’ market booth with posters and other materials, which can be downloaded at farmtoschool.org.