Farm to School

More RI schools and districts are buying foods locally and providing educational activities to students that emphasize food, farming, and nutrition. This nationwide movement to enrich children's bodies and minds while supporting local economies is often referred to as "Farm to School". Farm to School brings local or regionally produced foods into school cafeterias; hands-on learning activities such as school gardening, farm visits, and culinary classes.

Annually, USDA awards Farm to School grants to help schools connect with local producers and teach kids where their food comes from. These funds support activities ranging from training, planning, and developing partnerships, to purchasing equipment, planting school gardens, and organizing field trips. Grantees include schools and districts (large and small, rural and urban), Indian tribal organizations, producers and producer groups, non-profit entities, and state and local agencies.

For additional program information contact Caitlin Mandel

Farm to School in Rhode Island:

• RI Farm to School Network
• Farm Fresh RI - Farm to School & Community Education
• RI Healthy Schools Coalition - Local Food Ambassador Program
• RI Harvest Calendar

Additional Farm to School resources:

• Farm to Early Care and Education
• USDA Guide: Procuring Local Foods for Child Nutrition Programs
• Farm to School 2015 Census
• USDA Farm to Preschool
• USDA Farm to School
• USDA Farm to Summer
• National Farm to School Network