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What We Do: Mass. Farm to School Project. Technical Assistance “Matchmaking” services to farms, institutional food service and distributors Promotion Coordinate Mass. Harvest for Students Week & Harvest of the Month Distribute promotional materials for farm and food service use. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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What We Do: Mass. Farm to School Project
Technical Assistance “Matchmaking” services to farms, institutional food
service and distributorsPromotion
Coordinate Mass. Harvest for Students Week & Harvest of the Month
Distribute promotional materials for farm and food service use.
Education & Advocacy Annual research on the state of farm to institution sales. Representation of MA in National Farm to School
Network
Farm to School Status Report
2005-2006
School Year
2011-2012
School Year
# of public school districts that preferentially purchased local foods
32 231
# of colleges and private schools that preferentially purchased local foods
19 89
# of farms reported selling directly to schools
20 114
National School Lunch Program
How it works Cash reimbursements and donated food from Federal
government (USDA ) Meals must meet nutrition requirements Authorized through Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act Major changes in SY2011-2012
Who’s in Charge? Self-operating vs. management
companies
The 3 Cs
Cafeteria
Community
Classroom
Players in the Farm to School Food System
Local Farmers
Food Service Directors
Distributors
Agitators/Advocates/
Students
School nurses
Teachers/professors
School administrators (principals, superintendents)
Food Service StaffOur job is to
understand the players and look for an opening
Local Foods for Cafeteria System
Why Serve Local Foods?
Preserves Open Space & Diverse Farm Land Farmers get more of the food $
Lighter Carbon Footprint On average our food travels 1,500 miles from farm to plate
Preserves Genetic Diversity Local Farmers often grow many varieties for taste, flavor &
longer seasonMinimize food wasteEducate students & staff about where food comes
fromConnect to other sustainability initiatives in the
school – i.e. school gardens, compost programs etc.Serve the freshest, healthy and flavorful foodsSupport the local economy
Challenges & Opportunities
For FarmsOpportunities Can provide stable, consistent
customer. Can purchase in high volume. Demand greatest during farms’ non-
peak time.Challenges Must be able to communicate regularly
with schools and track orders Prefer a diverse product line or ability
to buy products from other farms. Price Delivery requirements - # of drop-offs,
location, minimum orders
For SchoolsOpportunities•Increase in participation•Less wastage•Good PR•Potential for curriculum connections•FFVPChallenges•Ability of kitchen to process raw food•# of meals served per day•Ability of FSD to chose vendors• FSD and kitchen staff motivation•Consumer buy-in•Food Service Management Companies
Farm to Cafeteria In Your Community
What’s Currently Happening? Talk to your District Food Service Director
Currently buying from Farm? Distributor? Challenges they see? Opportunities? (salad bar, # meals/day, snacks, freezing)
Talk to your School Administration Management Co. contracts Support cafeteria buying local foods?
School Wellness Committee/Policy School Gardens
What is being done with food grown? What classes are using gardens?
Classroom connections – taste testing & more
Farm to Cafeteria In Your Community
What’s Currently Happening? Farms – where to look?
In your area At farmers markets Delivering to restaurants, supermarkets, colleges, school
nearby Farm Lists
www.mass.gov/massgrown www.farmfresh.org
Farms – who may fit? Size of operation & crops they produce Delivery capacity Price point
Farm to Cafeteria In Your Community
CollegesHospitalsPreschoolsRetirement CommunitiesOther ideas?
More Information
Mass Farm to School: www.massfarmtoschool.org
Natl. Farm to School: www.farmtoschool.org
Farm to Inst. New England: www.farmtoinstitution.org
Contact InformationLisa Damon
