Farm-to-SchoolFarm-to-School

Possibilities, Possibilities, Practicalities, and Practicalities, and

PolicyPolicy

Jennifer WilkinsJennifer WilkinsDivision of Nutritional SciencesDivision of Nutritional Sciences

Cornell UniversityCornell University

SARE’s 20th AnniversaryNew American Farm Conference 

Advancing the Frontier of Sustainable AgricultureMarch 25-27, 2008 | Kansas City, MO

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

What is Farm to Cafeteria?What is Farm to Cafeteria? Who Benefits?Who Benefits? Why and Why now?Why and Why now? ChallengesChallenges Policy OpportunitiesPolicy Opportunities

What is Farm to What is Farm to School?School? ““the ability to connect schools with local the ability to connect schools with local

and regional farmers to benefit both..”and regional farmers to benefit both..” A portion of the food served in school A portion of the food served in school

meals is purchased directly from local meals is purchased directly from local farmersfarmers

Schools become a new marketSchools become a new market New relationships between food service, New relationships between food service,

farmers, distributors, processorsfarmers, distributors, processors Integration between food service, Integration between food service,

classroom education, school gardens, classroom education, school gardens, student farmsstudent farms

Vallianatos, Gottlieb, and Haase. 2004.

What is Farm to What is Farm to School?School? Immediate focus: Health, Nutrition, and Immediate focus: Health, Nutrition, and

DietDiet Importance of FTS extends to a wide range Importance of FTS extends to a wide range

of other issues:of other issues:– Farm Viability - small, mid-size family farmsFarm Viability - small, mid-size family farms– Farmland preservationFarmland preservation– Urban sprawlUrban sprawl

A Food Systems Approach counter toA Food Systems Approach counter to– ““Food from anywhere any time”Food from anywhere any time”– Highly processedHighly processed– Concentration, Consolidation, SpecializationConcentration, Consolidation, Specialization

Farm to School: GoalFarm to School: Goal

Increase amount of food schools Increase amount of food schools procure from local, regional farms procure from local, regional farms

Can take a variety of forms:Can take a variety of forms:– Salad barsSalad bars– Seasonal varietySeasonal variety– Value-addedValue-added– Fruits and vegetable snacksFruits and vegetable snacks

Can involve: classroom education, Can involve: classroom education, school gardens, farm field trips, farmer school gardens, farm field trips, farmer visitsvisits

Who Benefits?Who Benefits?

FarmersFarmers– Increased sales to nearby schoolsIncreased sales to nearby schools– New marketsNew markets

Students and StaffStudents and Staff– Access to fresh local fruits & vegetablesAccess to fresh local fruits & vegetables

Schools: Healthier environmentSchools: Healthier environment– Improve diets, Lower chronic disease riskImprove diets, Lower chronic disease risk– Improved academic performanceImproved academic performance

Communities: Economically, socially, Communities: Economically, socially, culturallyculturally

Why Farm to Why Farm to Cafeteria?Cafeteria?

Why Now?Why Now?

Child Health CrisisChild Health Crisis

“As we look to the future and where childhood obesity will be in 20 years…it is every bit as threatening to us as the terrorist threat we face today. It is the threat from within.”

US Surgeon General Richard Carmona TIME/ABC Obesity Summit June 2004

Childhood ObesityChildhood Obesity

Prevalence of overweight– children aged 2–5 increased from 5.0% to children aged 2–5 increased from 5.0% to

13.9%13.9%– children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled: children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled:

7% in 1980 to 19% in 20047% in 1980 to 19% in 2004– adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than

tripled: 5% to >17%tripled: 5% to >17% Overweight youth are more likely to

become overweight or obese adults– at greater risk for adult health problemsat greater risk for adult health problems

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (CDC) Healthy YouthHealth Topics: Childhood Overweight. http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/overweight/index.htm

1998

Obesity Among U.S. Obesity Among U.S. AdultsAdults

Obesity: BMI 30, or about 30 lbs.

overweight for 5’4” person

20061990

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

DHHS Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. U.S. Obesity Trends DHHS Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. U.S. Obesity Trends 1985–2006http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/trend/maps/1985–2006http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/trend/maps/

Hefty National Price Hefty National Price TagTag Health care expenditures related Health care expenditures related

to obesity: $98 billion to $117 to obesity: $98 billion to $117 billion annuallybillion annually

Taxpayers paying an Taxpayers paying an increasingly large share through increasingly large share through Medicare and MedicaidMedicare and Medicaid

Prediction: children of this Prediction: children of this generation may be the first to be generation may be the first to be less healthy and have a shorter less healthy and have a shorter life span than their parentslife span than their parents

Institute of Medicine Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance Sept. 2004.

< 25% of US adults consume 5+ servings < 25% of US adults consume 5+ servings of fruits and vegetables per dayof fruits and vegetables per day 11

Only 2% Only 2% of children eat a healthy dietof children eat a healthy diet 22

< 15% of elementary school-age children < 15% of elementary school-age children eat five+ servings of fruits and eat five+ servings of fruits and vegetables a dayvegetables a day 33

3 out of 4 high school students do not eat 3 out of 4 high school students do not eat 5+ servings of fruits and vegetables5+ servings of fruits and vegetables 33

Diet factor in leading causes of deathDiet factor in leading causes of death 44

U.S. Diet: U.S. Diet: Room for ImprovementRoom for ImprovementU.S. Diet: U.S. Diet: Room for ImprovementRoom for Improvement

1 1 Cserdula et al. AJPH, June 2004, 94(6): 10141018, Cserdula et al. AJPH, June 2004, 94(6): 10141018, 2 2 Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. ChildrenMathematica Policy Research, Inc. Children’s’s Diets in the Mid-1990s. 2001.NCHS/USDHHS. Diets in the Mid-1990s. 2001.NCHS/USDHHS. 44 Grunbaum, et al. 2002. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance – U.S., 2001Grunbaum, et al. 2002. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance – U.S., 200144 CDC/USDHHS Profiling Leading Causes of Death in the U.S. Chronic Diseases. Nov 30, 2005CDC/USDHHS Profiling Leading Causes of Death in the U.S. Chronic Diseases. Nov 30, 2005 ..

HANESHANES 11::– Soft Drinks: #1 energy contributor Soft Drinks: #1 energy contributor

(7.1%)(7.1%)– Top 10 Foods: Soft drinks, cakes, Top 10 Foods: Soft drinks, cakes,

hamburgers, pizza, etc. (32.4%)hamburgers, pizza, etc. (32.4%) Soda intake: 576 12-oz servings Soda intake: 576 12-oz servings

(53 gallons) per year (53 gallons) per year 22

11Block, G. J Food Comp Analysis. 2004Block, G. J Food Comp Analysis. 20042 2 Center for Science in the Public Interest. 2005. Center for Science in the Public Interest. 2005. Liquid CandyLiquid Candy..

High Intake of high-High Intake of high-calorie,calorie,low-nutrient Foodslow-nutrient Foods

Graph source: Food without Thought: How U.S. Farm Policy Contributes to Obesity IATP, 2006Graph source: Food without Thought: How U.S. Farm Policy Contributes to Obesity IATP, 2006

Healthy Foods Cost Healthy Foods Cost MoreMore

Junk Food: A Real DealJunk Food: A Real Deal

Calorie-dense foods – composed of refined Calorie-dense foods – composed of refined grains, added sugars, or fats – grains, added sugars, or fats – – ““represented some of the lowest-cost options represented some of the lowest-cost options

and provided dietary energy at minimal cost.” and provided dietary energy at minimal cost.” ““Poverty and food insecurity are Poverty and food insecurity are

associated with lower food expenditures, associated with lower food expenditures, low fruit and vegetable consumption, and low fruit and vegetable consumption, and [otherwise] lower-quality diets.” [otherwise] lower-quality diets.”

Drewnowski, A. and Specter, SE. AJCN, 79(1):6-16. 2004.

Why Farm to School?Why Farm to School?

Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole foods and ingredientsfoods and ingredients

FTS projects see: FTS projects see: – Decrease in Vending sales of calorie Decrease in Vending sales of calorie

dense low-nutrient optionsdense low-nutrient options School gardens offer physical School gardens offer physical

activityactivity Greater acceptance of wide variety Greater acceptance of wide variety

of fruits and vegetablesof fruits and vegetables Establish healthful eating habitsEstablish healthful eating habits

Schools have significant influencing Schools have significant influencing powerpower

Lifelong habits and preferencesLifelong habits and preferences Feeding programs in placeFeeding programs in place Link to parents and communityLink to parents and community Increasing evidence that both nutrition Increasing evidence that both nutrition

and activity linked to achievement and activity linked to achievement Children consume a wider variety of Children consume a wider variety of

foods through school mealsfoods through school meals a

Role of Schools in Child Role of Schools in Child HealthHealth

a Wolfe. Child Nutritional Health and the Elementary School Environment

Viability of Family Viability of Family FarmsFarms 1.2 million acres of farmland are lost 1.2 million acres of farmland are lost

every year ~2 acres a minute every year ~2 acres a minute Farmers > 65 outnumber those < 35 Farmers > 65 outnumber those < 35

>2:1 >2:1 Number of farmers making a reasonable Number of farmers making a reasonable

living and stay on farm decliningliving and stay on farm declining Farm prices chronically low – market Farm prices chronically low – market

controlled by agribusinesses and retail controlled by agribusinesses and retail food industryfood industry

Farmer’s share of food dollar: Farmer’s share of food dollar: – >30% (1980) to 19% (2002)>30% (1980) to 19% (2002)

What if we followed What if we followed the Dietary the Dietary Guidelines? Guidelines?

Source: USDA, Economic Research Service. 2This is the total acreage adjustment needed to meet both the whole-grain and the total-grain recommendations. 3Not applicable—dairy is not measured in terms of crop acreage. 4This analysis did not cover meat, added fats and oils, and caloric sweeteners.

Schools: Potentially Schools: Potentially Huge Market for Huge Market for FarmersFarmers 25.4 Million school lunches/day25.4 Million school lunches/day Public School Districts: 14,559 (94,112 K-Public School Districts: 14,559 (94,112 K-

12 public schools)12 public schools) All K-12 schools: 133,362 (includes charter, All K-12 schools: 133,362 (includes charter,

catholic, private)catholic, private)– Elementary: 95,201Elementary: 95,201– Secondary: 38,161Secondary: 38,161

Total K-12 enrollment: 51,610,806Total K-12 enrollment: 51,610,806– Elementary: 36,168,631Elementary: 36,168,631– Secondary: 13,989,239Secondary: 13,989,239– Combined: 1,452,937Combined: 1,452,937

National School Lunch National School Lunch ProgramProgram ReimbursementReimbursementCOST to ChildCOST to Child FEDERAL SUPPORT FEDERAL SUPPORT

(2007-2008) (2007-2008) NYS SUPPORT NYS SUPPORT (2007-2008)(2007-2008)

FreeFree 2.47-2.492.47-2.49 .065.065

ReducedReduced 2.07-2.092.07-2.09 .215.215

PaidPaid .23-.25.23-.25 .065.065

(Federal reimbursement for snacks: free .60, reduced .30, paid .05. Note: programs operating in areas where at least 50% of kids are eligible for F or RP meals, can serve all snacks free and be reimbursed.)

Value of Federal Value of Federal Reimbursements - NYReimbursements - NY Schools Participating in National Schools Participating in National

Breakfast Program: 5,160Breakfast Program: 5,160 Value: $110,937,922Value: $110,937,922 Schools Participating in National Schools Participating in National

Lunch Program: 5,966Lunch Program: 5,966 Value: $456,243,991Value: $456,243,991 Nationally: Billions $$$Nationally: Billions $$$

Kunstler, The Long Emergency, 2005

Peak OilPeak Oil

The point at which we have The point at which we have extracted half of all oil that extracted half of all oil that has ever existed in the has ever existed in the worldworld

the half that was:the half that was:– the easiest to getthe easiest to get– the most economically the most economically

obtainedobtained– highest qualityhighest quality– cheapest to refinecheapest to refine

Peak Oil and Food Peak Oil and Food

““The crisis in agriculture will be one of the The crisis in agriculture will be one of the defining conditions…. defining conditions…. We will simply have to We will simply have to grow more of our food locallygrow more of our food locally. The crisis will . The crisis will present itself when industrial farming , present itself when industrial farming , dependent on massive oil and gas ‘inputs’ at dependent on massive oil and gas ‘inputs’ at gigantic scales of operation, can no longer gigantic scales of operation, can no longer be carried on economically.”be carried on economically.”

Kunstler, The Long Emergency, 2005

Food Miles Food Miles

R. Pirog, A. Benjamin, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Ames, IA, 2003.

Distance food travels from where it is grown or raised to where it is ultimately purchased by the consumer or end-user.

Global Market ~1500 miles

Local Market ~50 miles

Food MilesFood Miles

Local Global

Apple 61 miles 1726 miles

Spinach 36 miles 1800 miles

ChallengesChallenges

Dependence on CommoditiesDependence on Commodities Competitive FoodsCompetitive Foods Vending salesVending sales Cut costs: laborCut costs: labor Off-site ManagementOff-site Management

School Food Service School Food Service Realities Realities

Food service is financially independentFood service is financially independent General fund cannot be used for school General fund cannot be used for school

meals programmeals program The higher the rate of free and reduced The higher the rate of free and reduced

lunches the greater the budgetlunches the greater the budget From 10% - 20% of food costs may be From 10% - 20% of food costs may be

subsidized by use of Commodity Foodssubsidized by use of Commodity Foods

Dollars and Cents:Dollars and Cents:What does Lunch Money pay for?What does Lunch Money pay for?

Full-price lunch:Full-price lunch: $1.75 Elementary, $1.90 $1.75 Elementary, $1.90 High School ($2.15 with reimbursements)High School ($2.15 with reimbursements)

Free lunch: Free lunch: School receives $2.55 (Fed & School receives $2.55 (Fed & State)State)– Half goes to labor and benefitsHalf goes to labor and benefits– 6060¢¢ goes to the “center of the plate” goes to the “center of the plate”

(protein)(protein)– 20¢20¢ for milk for milk– Leaves ~ 50Leaves ~ 50¢¢ for bread, fruit, and for bread, fruit, and

vegetablevegetable– But also need: 5But also need: 5¢¢ left for repairs, left for repairs,

cleaning supplies, utensils, trays, cleaning supplies, utensils, trays, straws, etc.straws, etc.

More ChallengesMore Challenges

Harvest calendar vs. school yearHarvest calendar vs. school year Packing, grading, handling, and Packing, grading, handling, and

processing requirements processing requirements Payment usually 30 - 90 days after Payment usually 30 - 90 days after

deliverydelivery Deliveries can be frequent, consistency Deliveries can be frequent, consistency

expected expected DistributionDistribution Potentially very large sales volume Potentially very large sales volume Low Profit Margins Low Profit Margins

Policy: Policy: School Level School Level StrategiesStrategies Menus and RecipesMenus and Recipes

– Power and control is at the food service levelPower and control is at the food service level Food SkillsFood Skills

– Increase standard for training and educationIncrease standard for training and education Wellness PoliciesWellness Policies

– Include local food languageInclude local food language InfrastructureInfrastructure

– Kitchen facilities, equipment, cafeteria environment, Kitchen facilities, equipment, cafeteria environment, space for gardensspace for gardens

Procurement and DistributionProcurement and Distribution– Specifications - local, regionally sourced, production Specifications - local, regionally sourced, production

method, seasonal productsmethod, seasonal products

State & Federal Level State & Federal Level PolicyPolicy State policiesState policies

– Farm to School supportFarm to School support– Increase State reimbursement ratesIncrease State reimbursement rates– School infrastructure - kitchen facilitiesSchool infrastructure - kitchen facilities

NationalNational– Nutrition standardsNutrition standards– Production standards for food served in schoolsProduction standards for food served in schools– Federal ReimbursementFederal Reimbursement– Expand fruit and vegetable snack program Expand fruit and vegetable snack program – Restrictions on geographic preferenceRestrictions on geographic preference

Example: Example: New York Farm to New York Farm to School Law 2002School Law 2002 ““To facilitate and promote the purchase of To facilitate and promote the purchase of

NYS farm products by schools, universities NYS farm products by schools, universities and other educational institutions.”and other educational institutions.”

Ag and Markets and Education Ag and Markets and Education departments should work with each otherdepartments should work with each other

Sharing information– products, volume, Sharing information– products, volume, packaging, prices, seasonality, recipes, packaging, prices, seasonality, recipes, menusmenus

Coordination, Cooperation & Coordination, Cooperation & CommunicationCommunication

Formalized Harvest for New York Kids Formalized Harvest for New York Kids WeekWeek

Example: 2004 Law Example: 2004 Law Allowing Direct Allowing Direct PurchasesPurchases General Municipal Law: Permitting Direct General Municipal Law: Permitting Direct

Purchases by Schools of Local Farm Purchases by Schools of Local Farm Products Without Competitive Bids (2004)Products Without Competitive Bids (2004)

Amendment of existing law Amendment of existing law – Little known, confusing, cumbersome processLittle known, confusing, cumbersome process

Response to: school districts, farm Response to: school districts, farm groups, academia and food businessesgroups, academia and food businesses

Goal: make it easier for schools and Goal: make it easier for schools and farmers to do businessfarmers to do business

But…But…

All amendments comeAll amendments come

under question because of uncertaintyunder question because of uncertainty

over Farm Bill language and USDAover Farm Bill language and USDA

regulations which prohibitregulations which prohibit

stating geographic preference.stating geographic preference.

The farm to school program across the U.S. The farm to school program across the U.S. could benefit from a change in the federal could benefit from a change in the federal

language. language.

Procurement Procurement StrategiesStrategies Can’t specify on geographyCan’t specify on geography Can specify on:Can specify on:

– QualityQuality– Freshness - time from harvest to school deliveryFreshness - time from harvest to school delivery– VarietyVariety

Through specifications, may increase use of Through specifications, may increase use of NY grown foods: “Empire” apples.NY grown foods: “Empire” apples.

The “5 cent” billThe “5 cent” bill

Title: An Act to amend the education Title: An Act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the law, in relation to establishing the fresh fruit and vegetable programfresh fruit and vegetable program– Promote increased consumption of fresh Promote increased consumption of fresh

fruits and vegetablefruits and vegetable– Maximize procurement of NYS grown Maximize procurement of NYS grown

productproduct Mechanism: an addition 5 cents per Mechanism: an addition 5 cents per

meal served for the purchase of fresh meal served for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. fruits and vegetables.

““The 5 cent Bill”The 5 cent Bill”

The department shall establish a The department shall establish a fresh fresh fruit and vegetable programfruit and vegetable program providing payments providing payments for the purchase for the purchase of fresh or minimally processedof fresh or minimally processed fruits fruits and vegetables.and vegetables.

Such fruits and vegetables, Such fruits and vegetables, to the to the maximum extent practicablemaximum extent practicable and in and in accordance with federal and state accordance with federal and state statutes and rules and regulations, statutes and rules and regulations, shall shall be grown and produced in New York be grown and produced in New York statestate..

““The 5 cent Bill”The 5 cent Bill”

““The program would promote The program would promote increased consumption of fresh fruits increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by students and and vegetables by students and maximize the procurement of New maximize the procurement of New York State grown produce. These York State grown produce. These offerings are particularly important to offerings are particularly important to children's health given the alarming children's health given the alarming rate of childhood obesity in our rate of childhood obesity in our society. The program would promote society. The program would promote healthy food choices.”healthy food choices.”

Related Policy Related Policy ApproachesApproaches Land trust purchasesLand trust purchases Habitat protectionHabitat protection Subsidy reformSubsidy reform Urban Growth boundariesUrban Growth boundaries Purchase/Transfer Development Purchase/Transfer Development

RightsRights Property Tax reliefProperty Tax relief Compensation to FarmersCompensation to Farmers Agriculture DistrictsAgriculture Districts Incentivizing Food Assistance BenefitsIncentivizing Food Assistance Benefits

Importance of School Importance of School FoodFood

“…the school meal is at the forefront of the debate about the health of our young people … a prism through which we can

examine some of the larger questions that face us today.”

~ Kevin Morgan, Cardiff University, Wales

Thank You.Thank You.