Three Cheers for the U.S. Farm to School Movement!

All Organic Food Enthusiasts Should Support

The National Farm to School Network!

 

Admittedly, the movement in the U.S. known as The National Farm to School Network (www.farmtoschool.org) shows no signs of advocating organic food specifically.  Nevertheless, in this day, when urban children are so alienated from nature and "where food comes from," I am heartened to learn about this organization that "aims to enable every child to have access to nutritious food while simultaneously benefiting communities and local farmers."

 

Farm to School, as the organization calls itself, connects schools (k-12) and local farms in order to serve healthy meals in school cafeterias, to improve student nutrition, and to support local and regional farmers.  For the school year 2011-2012, Farm to School  tells us about its achievements:

 

•  States with operational programs:  50
•  Number of schools involved:  12,429
•  Number of students reached:  5,746,400

Dollar amount spent on locally purchased foods:  $13 million

 

Local Relationships Matter!

 

To establish relationships between local food sources and school children, Farm to School programs include:

 

•  Local products in school meals--breakfast, lunch, and after-school snacks.

•  Food-related learning opportunities through school gardens, farm tours, classroom sessions with farmers and chefs, culinary education, sessions with parents and community members, and visits to farmers' markets.

 

A Great Many Benefit From the Farm to School Movement

 

Both children and communities learn about how attitudes affect agriculture, food, nutrition, and the environment.

 

By taking part in school meal programs, children, parents, schools, and the community learn about the value of eating fruits and vegetables, reducing hunger, and preventing obesity.

 

Marketing opportunities increase for local farmers, fishers, ranchers, food processors, and retailers.

 

and

 

The emphasis on local growth, local distribution, and local consumption decreases  the amount of greenhouse gases generated (as whenever food is hauled over long distances)--because transportation, too, is local!

 

Thank you,

National Farm to School Network!

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