What are the benefits of Farm to School?
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.

How can I start a Farm to School program in my community?
Farm to School programs exist in all 50 states, so support and resources are available no matter where you are. And you don’t have to be a cafeteria manager or school board member to get involved – parents, teachers and even students have the power to start programs and make change happen! The National Farm to School Network offers these tips and resources for starting a program:

1. Research: Farm to School programs come in many shapes and sizes, it’s important to begin to identify what you want and what would work best in your school. Use this map to learn about Farm to School activities in your state.

2. Organize: Coordinate a group of cross-sector stakeholders in the community for a meeting to discuss Farm to School (food service directors, parents, teachers, farmers, students, school administration, local nonprofits, etc.) Inspire potential supporters with an activity such as a farm tour or a farm-fresh taste test.

3. Assess: Facilitate conversations with various stakeholders to determine the feasibility of the program in your area—discuss where to buy local foods, assess how to serve them at school, identify staff or volunteers to support the program, and determine what the budget for your program can be.

4. Plan: Create a short description of your ideal program and then list specific first steps. Tip: start with easy wins! Try to limit this to five steps to help you organize and communicate your goals to others.

5. Start: Take small steps such as working with one or two whole products that are easy to process and popular among kids. Local apples, oranges, or strawberries are a good choice when they are in season.

For more resources and information, contact the National Farm to School Network. And good luck!

This website and its content was created by the National Farm to School Network (NFSN). Formed in 2007, NFSN’s national staff, eight regional lead agencies and 50 state leads provide information, training and technical assistance and general support to Farm to School programs across the country.

For more information:
For more information about Farm to School Month resources and celebrations send an email here.

Media Inquiries:
Direct media inquiries and interview requests to Chelsey Simpson, membership and communications associate for NFSN.

National Farm to School Month Partners:
This website and the materials posted here have been developed by the National Farm to School Network with the intent to share widely through Farm to School partner organizations across the country. Please use and share these materials with your networks to promote and celebrate connections between schools and local food.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF 2011 FARM TO SCHOOL MONTH EVENTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY!

To celebrate the first National Farm to School Month in 2011, the National Farm to School Network partnered with Pyramid Communications to develop the following resources. All materials may be downloaded and used by any organization or individual seeking to promote Farm to School Month. The logos and other materials may not be used in such a way that implies endorsement of any specific for-profit products or services. If you have questions, send us an email.

Communications Toolkit
The Communications Toolkit contains basic information about promoting National Farm to School Month, including a sample press release, social media suggestions and sample newsletter language.
Communications Toolkit-Spanish version

Logos
The logos below are small previews. Full size logos are located here.
Logo usage rules: The logos may be downloaded and used by any organization or individual seeking to promote Farm to School Month. The logos and other materials may not be used in such a way that implies endorsement of any specific for-profit products or services. If you are placing the logo on a colored background, use the red, one-color version on the right.

Fact Sheet
The fact sheet explains Farm to School and National Farm to School Month and offers suggestions for how teachers, families, school food service professionals and farmers can get involved throughout October and beyond. This would be a great document to send home with parents, distribute to school employees or hand out at community events.
Fact sheet – Spanish version

PowerPoint Template
This slideshow includes the Farm to School Month logo and basic facts and statistics about Farm to School. Customize it to fit your needs. If you have trouble downloading this file, send us an email.

Sample Menu
This sample menu shows how you might incorporate language about Farm to School Month into your cafeteria menu. Download the logo above and use it to mark special events or days when local food will be served.

Invitation Template
Inviting public officials and distinguished guests to your Farm to School Month events will help raise the profile of the event while honoring those who have helped move Farm to School forward in your community. Customize these invitation templates to fit your needs.

This is a basic invitation template.

This invitation is for members of Congress who supported House Resolution 1655 designating the month of October as National Farm to School Month.

Use this award template to honor community leaders who support Farm to School.

Poster
The Farm to School Month poster is available in three sizes: 11 x 8.5 (ideal for printing from your own computer); 11 x 17 (a common size for most commercial print shops); and 20 x 16 (order this size from our shop.) The image below is a low-res preview – download full-size posters here:

11 x 8.5

11 x 17

20 x 16 (you can also order this poster from our shop)

PSA Ads
If you have trouble downloading or using the following PDF ads, contact info@farmtoschoolmonth.org. Custom size requests might also be possible in special circumstances.

1.85 x 3 inches

2.5 x 10 inches

3.8 x 5 inches

7 x 5 inches

Order t-shirts, aprons, mugs, cutting boards and totes here.

Order stickers and posters here.