Farm To School and School Gardens

Starting Farm to School and School Gardens in Your School Community

Start with seasonal low-hanging fruit

Shortlist of Seasonal Options

Highlight One Menu Component

Engage Your Distributor

Starting Farm to School and School Gardens in Your School Community

Leverage Non-Bid Flexibility

Commit to Communicate with Farmers

Finding Local Food

The Oregon Farmers Market site at http://www.oregonfarmersmarkets.org/ and click on Markets in Oregon

Find extension contacts at http://extension.oregonstate.edu/locations.php

Email your Farm to School and School Garden Coordinator: joan.ottinger@state.or.us

Guidelines on Food Safety

Farmers are an approved source of food for school foodservice.

Oregon Legal Requirements for Purchasing Food From Farms

A Checklist for Purchasing Local Produce

Promoting Local Food

Engage ChildrenTaste TestsMenuFeatured FarmerClassroom AnnouncementsSchool NewsletterMenuHands-on Activities

School Gardens

Pots of herbs growing on windowsill

Raised bed in school yard

Linked To Community Garden / Farm

One acre plot with greenhouse

Curriculum

Build A Team

Teachers Parents School Board & Wellness Committee Community Organizations Oregon Farm To School and School

Garden Program

ResourcesMinnesota Toolkit for Food Service

http://www.mn-farmtoschool.umn.edu/

USDA Eat Smart-Farm Fresh!

www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Guidance/Farm-to-School-Guidance_12-19-2005.pdf

http://listsmart.osl.state.or.us/mailman/listinfo/farmschoolgarden

More Resources

National Farm-to-School Programhttp://www.farmtoschool.org

http://www.lifelab.org/schoolgardens.php

Email Joan.Ottinger@state.or.us for additional information