Delaware.gov logo
Delaware Department of
Agriculture

Farm to School Resources



Farm to School encompasses efforts that bring locally or regionally produced foods into school cafeterias, hands-on learning activities such as school gardening, farm visits, and culinary classes, and integrating food-related education into the regular, standards-based classroom curriculum.

General Resources


Resources as you look to develop a Farm to School partnership:

USDA annually awards up to $5 million in grants to help schools connect with local producers and teach kids where their food comes from.
USDA annually awards up to $5 million in grants to help schools connect with local producers and teach kids where their food comes from.

 

Online resources for consumers about fresh produce, eating healthy, and helping children get on the move:

 

For Farmers


One of the biggest hurdles for Delaware’s Farm to School program is finding enough producers. According to the 2019 Farm to School Census, Delaware schools spent $2,423,040 on local food, only 8% of total food spending! If you are interested in getting involved in Farm to School or would like to learn more, see below for additional resources.

 

For Schools


Farm to School has many shapes and sizes and will vary among districts. No matter what you are looking to do or accomplish, starting a farm-to-school program can be a daunting task. Below are some resources that can help you get started.

Farm to ECE is designed to increase access to healthy, local foods in ECE settings through local food purchasing and gardening and is a perfect place to highlight local foods for our youngest eaters. From taste tests to gardens, multiple resources are available to help sites bring local food to early childcare settings.

USDA Farm to Preschool: Local Food and Learning in ECE and Education Settings

USDA Grow It, Try It, Like It! Nutrition Education Kit Featuring MyPlate

Georgia Organics: Farm to Early Care Sourcing Strategies

Renewing The Countryside: Pint Size Produce

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy: Farm to Childcare Curriculum Package

Summer Food Service Sites are the perfect places to highlight local products and feature fresh food, agriculture, and nutrition education. There are many more options for local foods as the season and harvest schedules for fruits and vegetables occur over the summer months.

USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s Farm to Summer Webinar

Farm to School Month, celebrated every October, is a national campaign through the National Farm to School Network to promote the consumption of local foods. See how you can highlight Farm to School Month in your district using the resources listed below.

Farm to School Poster (8.5 x 11)
Farm to School Poster (12 x 18)
Farm to School Month Logo (Full Color)
“I Tried a New Food” Sticker
“I Ate Local Today” Sticker
Farm to School Month Bookmarks

Scott Schuster RD, LDN
Email: scott.schuster44@gmail.com
Phone: (302) 540-5077


Related Topics:  , , , , , , , , , ,


+