what we do: mass. farm to school project
DESCRIPTION
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 PresentationTRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: What We Do: Mass. Farm to School Project](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022070401/56813623550346895d9d98ef/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
![Page 2: What We Do: Mass. Farm to School Project](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022070401/56813623550346895d9d98ef/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
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
![Page 3: What We Do: Mass. Farm to School Project](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022070401/56813623550346895d9d98ef/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
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
![Page 4: What We Do: Mass. Farm to School Project](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022070401/56813623550346895d9d98ef/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
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
![Page 5: What We Do: Mass. Farm to School Project](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022070401/56813623550346895d9d98ef/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
The 3 Cs
Cafeteria
Community
Classroom
![Page 6: What We Do: Mass. Farm to School Project](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022070401/56813623550346895d9d98ef/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
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
![Page 7: What We Do: Mass. Farm to School Project](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022070401/56813623550346895d9d98ef/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Local Foods for Cafeteria System
![Page 8: What We Do: Mass. Farm to School Project](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022070401/56813623550346895d9d98ef/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
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
![Page 9: What We Do: Mass. Farm to School Project](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022070401/56813623550346895d9d98ef/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
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
![Page 10: What We Do: Mass. Farm to School Project](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022070401/56813623550346895d9d98ef/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
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
![Page 11: What We Do: Mass. Farm to School Project](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022070401/56813623550346895d9d98ef/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
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
![Page 12: What We Do: Mass. Farm to School Project](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022070401/56813623550346895d9d98ef/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Farm to Cafeteria In Your Community
CollegesHospitalsPreschoolsRetirement CommunitiesOther ideas?
![Page 13: What We Do: Mass. Farm to School Project](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022070401/56813623550346895d9d98ef/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
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