Program History

In Delaware, Farm to School started out as a grassroots program with local schools benefiting from local produce grown by farmers. In March 2010, the Farm to School Initiative was formalized when the Secretaries of Agriculture, Education, and Health & Social Services signed a memorandum of agreement. The purpose of the agreement was to develop a unified Farm to School Program to assist all schools in purchasing local products.

A Delaware Farm to School Advisory Board was formed, with representatives from school districts, farmers, parents, the Department of Education, Nemours Health & Prevention Services, the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Master Gardeners. The Board meets throughout the year to review farmer surveys, Child Nutrition Supervisor surveys, do presentations, meet & greets, data collection, and provide educational field trips for nutrition supervisors.

Achievements

• After the signing of the 2010 Memorandum, May 21-27 was proclaimed as Delaware Strawberry Week during which all 19 school districts purchase strawberries from various local farmers.
• Schools celebrate Delaware Grown watermelon by offering Watermelon Wednesday’s at the beginning of the school year.
• According to the 2015 USDA Farm to School Census:
  • 60% of Delaware schools, including public, charter and private, participate in Farm to School.
  • All 19 public school districts and 5 charter schools currently participate in Farm to School.
  • Out of 18 public school districts and 2 charter schools who completed the 2015 USDA Farm to School Census, $999,578 of their food and nutrition expenditures reported were for locally grown, fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Recognition of our partnerships with the annual celebration of National Farm to School Month in October.