healthy food - Schools get FRESH with local food - SIBEJO

According to the USDA, an investment in the health of America's students through farm to school programming is also an investment in the health of local economies . In school year 2013-2014, school districts purchased nearly $800 MILLION in local food from farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food processors and manufacturers. That's a 105 percent increase over the $386 million of local food purchased in the 2011-2012 school year. Forty-six percent of school districts report that they will buy even more local foods in future school years.

In the North Country:

• With the help of a NYS grant, the Adirondack Farm to School Initiative has just hired a Regional Coordinator who will continue to build momentum in Tri-Lakes schools as well as expand the effort to include more schools.
   
• Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-116) has developed a pilot project in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties that will increase the amount of locally produced food available in school cafeterias.

For more information on what ANCA is doing to increase regional access to local foods, go here.

healthy food - Economic impact of local food in school lunches - SIBEJO

Research findings from Cornell University's Community and Regional Development Institute indicate that a 50% increase in demand for fresh, local fruits and vegetables one day/week in school meals could generate up to $9.2 million for vegetable producers and $5.3 million for fruit producers. These findings contribute to the idea of creating incentives for school districts to purchase more local produce for school meals. Click here to view the policy brief.

healthy food - Survey Results: Farm to School in Early Care and Education Builds Healthy Kids with Bright Futures - SIBEJO

In 2015, the National Farm to School Network surveyed early care and education providers across the country. Nearly 1,500 providers serving 183,369 young children in 49 states and Washington, D.C., responded and shared fascinating insight into the important work that they are doing to connect young children to healthy, local foods and food related educational opportunities. The results show that farm to school in early care and education is on the rise across the country. 54% of respondents are already doing farm to school activities and another 28% plan to start in the near future. A new infographic and factsheet are available with more survey results. To see the results and learn how the National Farm to School Network is working to expand farm to school in early care and education, visit farmtoschool.org/earlychildhood.