Farm to School

Florida’s Farm to School initiative enhances the connection that communities have with local growers to increase Florida products served in schools, offer healthier options for Florida’s children and get students involved in nutrition and agriculture education through school garden activities.

Schools are required to meet nutritional guidelines established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Researchers have observed increases in school meal participation when farm to school programs are present. An increase in meal participation may result in an increase in revenue for the school food service program.

Schools purchasing locally raised or grown agricultural products benefit both the local and state economies. Farms of all sizes can provide Florida products to meet schools’ nutritional needs. By working with schools, farmers can plan what, when and how much to produce.

Yes. Schools must comply with all federal, state and local competitive procurement rules.

Yes, the 2008 Farm Bill allows schools operating child nutrition programs to purchase unprocessed agricultural products, both locally grown and locally raised, to the maximum extent practicable and appropriate, and to allow institutions to use a geographic preference for the procurement of unprocessed agricultural products, both locally grown and locally raised.

Not in the large majority of cases. Therefore, schools need to wash and prepare the produce the same way that they would wash and prepare produce purchased from distributors. Schools are encouraged to ask for food safety documentation on programs the growers are currently using (i.e., GAP, HACCP, etc.).

No, this is not part of the commodity program. Schools contracting with local farmers pay for their purchases from their own food service account.

• Connecting schools with local farmers, producers and distributors;
• Developing agricultural- and nutrition-based lesson plans featuring Florida products;
• Offering workshops on developing and sustaining school gardens;
• Providing training for school food service staff on preparing fresh foods; and
• Creating school food service recipes that incorporate Florida products.

• Encourage schools to serve local Florida products;
• Talk to children about nutrition and making healthy food choices;
• Encourage hands-on learning by starting a school garden;
• Teach children about agriculture by visiting a farm; and
• Support the state’s economy by buying local Florida products.

Contact the Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness at InfoFNW@FDACS.gov or (850) 617-7400.