Big Apple Crunch 2023 GVCS 1st Grade
Image by Alyssa Dean

Big Apple Crunch 2023 GVCS 1st Grade

GVCS Taste Test Thursday
Image by Jeff Babbit

GVCS Taste Test Thursday #ITRIEDSOMETHINGLOCAL

Local Pizza made by Cuba-Rushford CSD
Image by Cassandra Bull

NY Pizza with The Farm Bridge Pizza Sauce and Cuba Cheese from Cuba-Rushford CSD

Cauliflower taste testing at Wellsville CSD.
Image by N/A

Wellsville CSD taste tests NY Cauliflower.

Summer Breeze Strawberries Farm grew hydroponic strawberries for local school districts in 2019.
Image by Cassandra Bull

Summer Breeze Strawberries Farm grew fruit for Allegany County schools in 2019.

Cassandra Bull giving presentation on Farm to School at 2019 NYSNA Conference
Image by N/A

Cassandra Bull gives Local Food presentation at 2019 NYSNA Conference.

NY Egg rolls being served for NY Thursday at Wellsville CSD.
Image by Cassandra Bull

NY Egg rolls being served for NY Thursday at Wellsville CSD.

NY Hot dogs taste tested at Scio CSD.
Image by Cassandra Bull

NY Hot dogs taste tested at Scio CSD.

Farm to School

What is Farm to School?

Farm to School initiatives are popping up throughout New York and all over the country – in day care centers, in public and private schools, and in colleges and universities. These programs focus on featuring locally grown, healthy foods in school meals. They often also include other components such as classroom lessons on food and nutrition; visits to farms and farmers’ markets; creation of school gardens, and the support of school-based community supported agriculture (CSA) programs.

What is Local?

Local means many different things to different people. To some, local could be within a 30 mile radius, where other organizations have expanded that radius to 400 miles! Some organizations do not qualify something as local based on the distance traveled, but by whether the product was made in that state, or surrounding states. According to New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, "local" refers to any product grown or produced in the state of New York. 

The 3 C's of Farm to School

  • Cafeteria - Serving local produce in school meals.
  • Classroom - Teaching students about the importance of agriculture.
  • Community - Involving the collective wisdom of the community, helping the farmers and families that live in the community gain a stronger connection to the schools through field trips, lectures, and other events.

Contact

Alyssa L. Dean
Farm to School Coordinator/Ag in the Classroom Educator
ald243@cornell.edu
585-268-7644 ext 25

Last updated October 31, 2024