October: National Farm to School Month

October is National Farm to School Month, a time to celebrate the connections that are happening all over the country between schools and local food. 

Farm to School is broadly defined as any program that connects schools (K-12) and local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing agriculture, health and nutrition education opportunities, and supporting local and regional farmers. Farm to School programs exist in all 50 states, but since Farm to School is a grassroots movement, programs are as diverse as the communities that build them.

Farm to School programs are based on the premise that students will choose healthier foods, including more fruits and vegetables, if products are fresh, locally grown, and picked at the peak of their flavor and if those choices are reinforced with educational activities. Farm to School programs provide benefits to the entire community: children, farmers, food service staff, parents, and teachers.

• The choice of healthier options in the cafeteria through Farm to School meals results in consumption of more fruits and vegetables with an average increase of 0.99 to 1.3 servings per day, including at home.
• Schools report a 3 to 16 percent increase in school meal participation when farm-fresh food is served through Farm to School programs.
• Farm to School programs open new markets for farmers and help expand their customer base by raising awareness about local food systems.
• Farm to School programs are also known to increase school meal participation rates.

Here in Saint Louis, farmers partners in providing Maplewood Richmond Heights School District as well as Saint Louis Public Schools with local, healthy food.  These partnerships are the result of grant funding to establish Healthy Eating with Local Produce (HELP).  To learn more about our area's Farm to School connections, check out the National Farm to School Network's website. 

Source: National Farm to School Month