USDA Farm to School Resources
An extensive list of resources from across the United States to assist schools and school districts in implementing farm to school programs.
How Does Your School Garden Grow?
Best Practices for Growing, Harvesting, and Serving School Garden Produce
Complete Resources Packet
Common Pests and Diseases (Flickr photo page)
Hawai‘i Plant Disease website
School Garden Steps for Success!
Steps developed by Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation’s ‘Āina In Schools program and University of Hawai‘i Master Gardener Program including how to develop your garden team, designing your program, maintaining your gardens, and building your resources.
Case Study: Reviving Local Food Systems in Hawai‘i
School gardens, nutrition education, and farm to school initiatives are orienting palates and diets towards traditionally available foods, diversifying agriculture and increasing locally produced school snacks and lunches while circulating income throughout local farming communities in the Hawaiian Islands.
Verifying On-Farm Food Safety
Prior to purchasing produce from a local farm, school nutrition operators should visit the farm to observe key food safety practices and ask questions about produce handling. Because a visit will require time from the farmer’s schedule as well as your schedule, you may wish to organize a group visit with other school nutrition directors in your purchasing cooperative or local area.
USDA Farm to School: Procuring Local Foods
From beef and bison in Montana to apples in Michigan and radishes in Rhode Island, school districts across the nation bring school meals to life with creative sourcing strategies. The resources on this page will help guide all the players (schools, state agencies, nonprofits, producers) through the supply chain of how to buy locally, and correctly!
Selling to Schools: Guidance for Farmers
A guide prepared by The Kohala Center specific to Hawai‘i
Local Foods in Hawai‘i’s Schools
A report on the challenges to local food procurement in Hawai‘i and the opportunities to advance beyond them.
Implementing the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program in Hawai‘i
A report on implementation challenges and tips for success.
USDA Community Food Systems: Videos and Webinars
Resources for incorporating native and traditional foods to keep local knowledge and nutrition alive.
USDA Farm to School Census: Hawai‘i
To determine the prevalence of farm to school programs in the United States, USDA surveyed an estimated 13,000 public school districts.
Farm to School Hawai‘i Update
Positive Media presents the current issues of the Farm to School program in Hawai‘i.
“Know Your Farmer Know Your Food” portal
The USDA has just launched a new Web site for National Resources on development of local food systems. The “Know Your Farmer Know Your Food” portal can be used by anyone interested in community food system development.
Rethinking School Lunch Guide
This Guide by the Center for Ecoliteracy explains the rationale for reforming school food and explores the ten pathways that constitute this planning framework.
We Love our Fishermen!
The Fish to Schools Program began as a vision at the 2010 Sitka Health Summit and with community support and leadership from the Sitka Conservation Society, we are now working with over half of students enrolled in the Sitka School District. This program is a component of our Community Sustainability efforts and we hope through this program we can begin to build a stronger, more resilient local food system.
The 10 most impressive farm-to-school programs
While fresh, local food is growing in popularity among consumers, it’s also growing in school systems. Learn about these 10 successful farm-to-school programs.
Farm to School Health Impact Assessment
Upstream Public Health
New on the Menu: Districtwide changes to school food start in the kitchen at Portland’s Abernethy Elementary
A report by Abernethy Elementary, Portland Public Schools Nutrition Services, Injury Free Coalition for Kids, and Ecotrust
The Impact of Seven Cents: Examining the Effects of a $.07 per Meal Investment on Local Economic Development, Lunch participation Rates, and Student Preferences for Fruits and Vegetables in Two Oregon School Districts.
Kaiser Permanente Community Fund at the Northwest Health Foundation
A Working History of Farm to School Legislation in Oregon
Prepared by Stacey S. Williams and Michelle M. Ratcliffe, Ecotrust Farm to School Program
Report on the Feasibility of Establishing a Farm to School Program in Hawai‘i’s Public Schools
University of Hawai‘i System Report
National Farm to School Network
Sign up for the National Farm to School Network Newsletter!
Going Local: Paths to Success for Farm to School Programs
National Farm to School Network
State Farm to School Legislation: A State-by-State Listing
To date, 35 states have passed legislation regarding farm to school programs. This document contains summaries and links to the text of this legislation.
‘ĀINA In Schools Update
Kokua Hawai‘i Foundation
Farm to School: A Selected and Annotated Bibliography
USDA National Agricultural Library
Economic Impacts of Farm to School: Case Studies and Assessment Tools
Using a survey and case study approach, this report examines the economic impact of local purchasing and provides new insight into the potential for farm to school procurement to positively impact local economies.