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NewsHUMBOLDT CAN: Localizing food in school lunchroomsby Erin Derden-Little Published: Fri, Apr 19th, 2013 On March 19, Humboldt County participated in the first ever country-wide Taco Tuesday. The event featured local, grass-fed beef donated by Eel River Organic Beef. Taco Tuesday led to the creation of partnerships among several local organizations, and help.... read more >> School Lunchroom Changes Get Kids to Eat More Veggies by Rachael Rettner Published: Tue, Apr 9th, 2013 A new study suggests that simple changes in lunch rooms, such as placing fresh fruit by the cash register, may boost the amount of healthy food children eat. This article outlines the studies that researches conducted and the results that they found.. read more >> Yolo County program brings fresh produce to area schools by Don Frances Published: Mon, Apr 8th, 2013 Officials in Yolo County have implemented policies to increase healthy food in nutrition for area schools. . read more >> School Meals Are a Pleasure to Eat in Riverside, CA by Rodney K. Taylor Published: Mon, Apr 8th, 2013 Riverside Unified School District has started their own school food revolution by using local food and setting up school gardens. Their district is internationally recognized as a model for school food.. read more >> White House weakened food safety rules by Marion Nestle Published: Mon, Apr 8th, 2013 The White House has weakened food safety rules, and deleted several important requirements for environmental monitoring for pathogens, finished product testing for pathogens, supplier verification and approval program, and more. . read more >> Sustainable Food Loses Its Biggest Champion in Washington, D.C. by Tom Laskawy Published: Mon, Apr 8th, 2013 Kathleen Merrigan announced last week that she will be leaving her post as the USDA's deputy secretary. Merrigan is known for championing local food initiatives and the national farm-to-school program.. read more >> Healthy School Lunches Served Up In California Through Farm-To-School Program Published: Wed, Jan 30th, 2013 President Bill Clinton has stepped alongside First Lady Michelle Obama in the fight against childhood obesity by taking his message to schools. This week, Clinton spoke of creating healthier campuses with better food and more opportunities for physical ac.... read more >> Vote for Measure J! by Ruth Woodruff Published: Mon, Nov 19th, 2012 . read more >> 'Food Hubs' Connect School Districts with Farmers by Gosia Wozniacka Published: Mon, Nov 19th, 2012 . read more >> Students Take Nutrition into their Own Hands by Lolita Lopez and Julie Brayton Published: Mon, Nov 19th, 2012 This article details LAUSD\'s program in which students create fresh, healthy salads and serve them to their peers.. read more >> Students Take Nutrition into their Own Hands by Lolita Lopez and Julie Brayton Published: Mon, Nov 19th, 2012 This article details LAUSD\'s program in which students create fresh, healthy salads and serve them to their peers.. read more >> New network linking farms with cafeterias launched today with student food forum in Calgary by - Published: Mon, Nov 5th, 2012 . read more >> School ditches the can, grows fresh food by Matt Abshire Published: Mon, Nov 5th, 2012 . read more >> Free fruit at school tied to fewer junk snacks by Kerry Grens Published: Mon, Nov 5th, 2012 . read more >> The Full School Food Equation by Debra Eschmeyer Published: Mon, Nov 5th, 2012 . read more >> Re-envisioning School Food for Today's Generation of Students by Rochelle Davis Published: Mon, Oct 29th, 2012 Rochelle Davis discusses the history of school food and what is being done to re-envision school lunches today.. read more >> CDC Announces Awardees for the Second Round of Community Transformation Grant Program Published: Mon, Oct 22nd, 2012 . read more >> Oakland Unified School District’s Fresh Markets Program Staff Visit Farm by Georgeanne Brennan and Anne M. Evans Published: Mon, Oct 22nd, 2012 . read more >> Study Links Healthier Weight in Children With Strict Laws on School Snacks by Sabrina Tavernise Published: Fri, Sep 14th, 2012 A new study found that adolescents in states with strict laws regulating the sale of snacks and sugary drinks in public schools gained less weight over a three-year period than those living in states with no such laws.. read more >> School Lunch 2.0: Oakland Headed for a School Food Overhaul by Sarah Henry Published: Fri, Sep 14th, 2012 Jennifer LeBarre, Oakland Unified School District’s nutrition services director, has a dream. Looking ahead 10 years, she imagines visiting the district’s central kitchen where fresh food is prepared from scratch for all district campuses using organic pr.... read more >> New LAUSD program makes breakfast a priority by Nick Edmonds Published: Mon, Apr 2nd, 2012 “Breakfast in the classroom helps kids get to graduation.". read more >> USDA Celebrates One Year Anniversary of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 by USDA Published: Wed, Jan 4th, 2012 First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today highlighted the achievements of the historic Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, one year after the legislation was enacted to combat child hunger and obesity and improve the health.... read more >> USDA official praises Salinas schools' salad bars by Mike Hornick Published: Fri, Nov 11th, 2011 SALINAS, Calif. — An early adopter of school salad bars drew praise from a U.S. Department of Agriculture official on a recent visit to Salinas.The Salinas City Elementary School District has salad bars in all 13 of its schools thanks to a program begun s.... read more >> From Pears to Pumpkins, Schools offer more produce. by Tom Karst Published: Fri, Nov 11th, 2011 More servings of fruits and vegetables are part of the back-to-school menu for U.S. school foodservice directors. More than 30% of schools already have “farm to school” programs and still increasing. . read more >> Best Back-to-School Lunches by Miriam Kresh Published: Fri, Nov 11th, 2011 In the U.S., efforts such as the Farm to School movement integrate food and nutrition education in the classroom. Through their efforts, more American children eat fresh local foods in school cafeterias, and local farmers benefit too. . read more >> NC Farm To School Child Nutrition Director Survey Results. 2011. Published: Mon, Nov 7th, 2011 NC Farm To School Child Nutrition Director Survey Results. 2011. This survey was conducted over a two-week period. Seventy surveys were completed... Most questions allowed for multiple answers. Responses are listed in order from highest response to lowest.... read more >> October is National Farm to School Month! by Cornell University Published: Mon, Nov 7th, 2011 In November 2010, Congress approved a resolution introduced by Representative Rush Holt (NJ) to officially designate October as National Farm to School Month. To celebrate the first National Farm to School Month, schools across the country will be invitin.... read more >> FoodCorps Creates Jobs, Community, and Healthy Food. by Kelly McCartney Published: Thu, Oct 27th, 2011 When President Bill Clinton signed the National and Community Service Trust Act into law in 1993, he introduced the concept of community service to a new generation of young people through the flagship AmeriCorps program. Now, in the same grand tradition,.... read more >> A Closer Look at the 2012 Farm Bill by Aliza Wasserman Published: Thu, Oct 27th, 2011 While headlines about the Farm Bill focus on the role of commodity subsidies in creating the ubiquity of processed foods in the U.S. (and increasingly in the global) food system, on the final day of the 2011 Hazon Food Conference, some of the most passion.... read more >> Farm to School:Implementing Farm to School Activities School Food Service Professionals Working with by USDA Published: Thu, Oct 27th, 2011 Implementing Farm to School Activities School Food Service Professionals Working with Farmers Create a Farm to School Plan or Vision Establishing a plan or vision for your Farm to School efforts will help ensure success. There are many resources avai.... read more >> Farm to School Goes Direct - Wide by CB Staff Published: Thu, Oct 27th, 2011 Factory food took over most American schools in a rolling, greasy wave of chicken nuggets and highly processed everything over the last few decades. Now obesity and childhood diabetes reach epidemic proportions across the United States and family farming .... read more >> Food’s New Foot Soldiers by Mark Bittman Published: Thu, Oct 27th, 2011 FoodCorps, which started last week, is symbolic of just what we need: a national service program that aims to improve nutrition education for children, develop school gardening projects and change what’s being served on school lunch trays.. read more >> Voices from the field: Charlotte Gamblin talks about starting a farm to school program by Admin Published: Thu, Oct 27th, 2011 Interest in Missouri around farm to school is catching on. Hear from a local food service director who is starting up a program for several schools in her district. Missouri Farm to School and Missouri Farm to Institution (FTS/FTI) are projects of the Mis.... read more >> Organic Valley Farm to School time at the Skagit Co-op by Jodie Buller Published: Thu, Oct 27th, 2011 We were honored to host a Wednesday afternoon visit from Organic Valley friend Carlee, up from Portland with her husband and daughter to sample out some OV cheeses and talk about their September fundraiser - every OV cheese purchase at Co-ops this month s.... read more >> District 191 buying fresh, locally grown produce by Michael Ricci Published: Thu, Oct 20th, 2011 Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Independent School District 191 officials have begun an effort to foster higher academic achievement, but the effort is not a classroom venture.. read more >> First lady earns James Beard Leadership Award by Tim Carman Published: Sun, Oct 16th, 2011 First Lady Michelle Obama was one of 10 people selected today for the James Beard Foundation’s inaugural Leadership Awards, handed out to activists, educators and business leaders who help create a “healthier, safer and more sustainable food world,” accor.... read more >> Connecting WIC participants with farm-fresh produce by Mary MacVean Published: Sun, Oct 16th, 2011 Occidental College in Eagle Rock has helped establish a connection between farmers and several stores, including Prime Time, that stock only products approved for WIC shoppers. As seasons change, other farms will provide apples and tangerines, says Zeltse.... read more >> Audio: Interview with Debra Eschmeyer by Jane Black Published: Sun, Oct 16th, 2011 In this episode of Smart Food, hosted by Jane Black, Debra Eschmeyer who is the Founder of Food Core, speaks about her newest program that brings Farm-to-Schools starting in August 2011. The concept behind Food Core is to provide nutritional education, s.... read more >> Goodbye, Mystery Meat? School Lunches Get More Healthful by Allison Aubrey Published: Sun, Oct 16th, 2011 Kids may claim that Tater Tots are the only edible food in the school cafeteria, but in reality, school lunches are getting more healthful. And where does this fresh food come from? Farm-to-school initiatives are in the works at 70 percent of school distr.... read more >> Scaling-up Connections between Regional Ohio Specialty Crop Producers and Local Markets: Distributio by Inwood, Shoshanah, Jill Clark and Jeff Sharp Published: Thu, Oct 6th, 2011 <span>This Ohio State University report explores the opportunities for scaling up distribution of local fruits and vegetables to retail outlets in Ohio by using conventional distribution methods. </span>. read more >> Shumlin plan would trade USDA staples to local foods by Andrea Suozzo Published: Thu, Oct 6th, 2011 <span style="font-family: 'Tempus Sans ITC'; font-size: 12pt"><strong>Governor Shumlin of Vermont campaigns for federal funding for fresh fruits and vegetables in schools </strong></span>. read more >> Local Cooking Experts Star at Statewide School Nutrition Conference by Jeff Hudson Published: Tue, Aug 9th, 2011 About 100 food and nutrition professionals from across the state gathered Thursday at UC Davis to learn how to make tastier, more nutritious school lunches. The key message? Use fresh, locally grown ingredients, tangy spices and ethnic recipes that ref.... read more >> Start ’em early: Preschoolers to grow new gardening program by Dennis Fujimoto Published: Mon, Aug 1st, 2011 18 schools are participating in the recently launched Farm to Preschool Program on Kaua'i Island. The program is one of four Communities Putting Prevention to Work projects being funded through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. .... read more >> Farm-to-school programs teach Kentucky kids how to eat healthier by Jessie Halladay Published: Mon, Aug 1st, 2011 Taylor is part of a group of students who participated in a farm-to-school program that started last year with help from a state grant that was awarded to three Kentucky counties. Ten more counties were awarded grants of $5,400 in June from federal stimul.... read more >> An interview with Stacey Sobell and Tracy Harding by Jeff Golden Published: Mon, Aug 1st, 2011 An interview with Stacey Sobell and Tracy Harding. read more >> Local Preschoolers Learn To Tend A Garden Published: Mon, Aug 1st, 2011 Video featuring the Farm to Pre-School program of Community Health Improvement Partners in San Diego, CA.. read more >> USDA Launches Fresh Produce Program for Florida, Michigan Schools Published: Mon, Aug 1st, 2011 The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will conduct a pilot for acquiring fresh fruits and vegetables to build on farm-to-school programs in Florida and Michigan. The pilot will use c.... read more >> USDA Seeks Ways to Boost Farm-to-School Programs by STEVE KARNOWSKI Published: Mon, Aug 1st, 2011 The popularity of farm-to-school programs that put locally grown food on cafeteria trays has exploded in recent years — so much so that the federal agency in charge of school lunches is giving them a new stamp of approval.. read more >> USDA Publishes Findings on National Farm to School Effort that Provides New Economic Opportunities Published: Mon, Aug 1st, 2011 Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today highlighted the importance of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and announced the findings of USDA's first Farm to School report during the 2011 School Nutrition Association national convention.. read more >> 10 state budget cuts that might surprise you by Jake Ellison Published: Mon, Aug 1st, 2011 The Domestic Marketing Program at the Department of Agriculture was eliminated. This includes the Farm-to-School Program, which was dedicated to fostering relationships between schools and agricultural producers in Washington State, and the Small Farm Dir.... read more >> USDA launches pilot program aimed at getting more food from local farms into school cafeterias by STEVE KARNOWSKI Published: Fri, Jul 29th, 2011 The popularity of farm-to-school programs that put locally grown food on cafeteria trays has exploded in recent years _ so much so that the federal agency in charge of school lunches is giving them a new stamp of approval.. read more >> Organic Valley and National Cooperative Grocers Assocation Join Forces to Improve School Lunch Published: Fri, Jul 29th, 2011 Organic Valley, the nation’s oldest organic farmer-owned cooperative, and National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA), a business services cooperative serving 120 consumer-owned food co-ops nationwide, today announced they are joining forces to improv.... read more >> California Authors: Connecting the Dots From California Fields to Our Dinner Tables by Georgeanne Brennan Published: Tue, Jul 26th, 2011 California, children do not need to be served reheated processed food manufactured in Kentucky or Missouri when they are surrounded by some of the most, if not the most, productive orchards, fields, farms, ranches and dairies in the world. Let's recon.... read more >> USDA Seeks Ways to Boost Farm-to-School Programs by Steve Karnowski Published: Fri, Jul 22nd, 2011 The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released a new report on what works in farm-to-school programs, what doesn't and what the agency can do to help them work better. The report was put together by a USDA team that traveled to 15 school districts acr.... read more >> Santa Cruz City Schools Tries to Make School Food Cool by Shanna Mccord Published: Mon, Jun 27th, 2011 <span><span>The Santa Cruz school district is taking another stab at getting more kids to eat cafeteria food with a new marketing plan ready to launch in the fall.</span></span>. read more >> Michelle Obama announces Let's Move! Child Care tools for daycare centers by Jeneba Ghatt Published: Fri, Jun 24th, 2011 <p>Michelle Obama unveiled the Let's Move! Child Care while visiting children at CentroNia, a bilingual child care center in Washington DC. </p>. read more >> Farm to School: Digging Up the Roots of Childhood Obesit Published: Mon, Jun 20th, 2011 The childhood obesity rate has been on the rise since the 1970s, and current statistics indicate nearly one-third of American children are obese and overweight. The ever-increasing pace of modern life is partly to blame, with more and more of us relying o.... read more >> Kids dig (for) real food by Jenn Savedge Published: Mon, Jun 6th, 2011 What's the best way to get kids to eat real food? Get them involved in the process of putting food on the table. The closer they are to the root of that process, the better chance they have of recognizing, trying and even liking the food on their plate. C.... read more >> Excerpts from the Future of Food conference Published: Mon, Jun 6th, 2011 They were among the 30 speakers at the Washington Post Live Future of Food conference last week, many of whom talked about a growing food movement, about rising demands that more Americans — especially the poor — have access to fresh food and that big com.... read more >> Missoula Children Published: Sun, Jun 5th, 2011 Celebrate local food with the Coyote Choir of Missoula, Montana!. read more >> In San Diego, Gary Petill and Vanessa Zajfen make a great team with kids’ interests at heart by Meredith Modzelewski Published: Tue, May 10th, 2011 San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), is now asking farmers around San Diego to plant food especially for SDUSD: last month, the district sourced 8,000 lbs of broccoli from one farm, and now two growers are collaborating to grow enough organic cil.... read more >> Nourish California Aims to Grow Food Literacy by Gretchen Goetz Published: Thu, Apr 28th, 2011 California, a state that has long been at the forefront of the fresh food movement, is planting the seed of its "California cuisine" in the next generation. This month marked the launch of the "Nourish California" program, an education.... read more >> Karst chat with USDA's Janey Thornton: how "geographic preference" will work with school meals by Tom Karst Published: Thu, Apr 28th, 2011 A conversation with about the new geographic preference rule with Janey Thornton, Deputy Undersecretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. . read more >> Who Grew That?! The Farmer of the Month Program by Jennifer Jewell Published: Tue, Apr 26th, 2011 "If you are going to love carrots, your best bet is to try them fresh from the farm - and Matthew Martin's carrots are some of the sweetest carrots you are ever going to taste!" Gina Sims exclaims. Matthew Martin is the Farmer of the Month for 3.... read more >> On Earth Day: School Gardens Help Albany Kids Grow by Barbara Grady Published: Tue, Apr 26th, 2011 In school gardens throughout the Albany Unified School District, students are growing lettuce, beans, chard, spinach and other vegetables – some of which is then used in the school lunch program.. read more >> School Food: How to Take Action by Marion Nestle Published: Tue, Apr 19th, 2011 A guide for getting involved on the front lines of the war on processed, chicken tender-filled school food, from do-it-yourself meetings to national initiatives . read more >> Making School Lunches Healthier with Home Town Farms by Jennifer Kaplan Published: Tue, Apr 19th, 2011 Childhood obesity is on the rise, and having a healthy school lunch is one way to fight this problem. Changing how kids eat is one of the most effective ways to improve their health, which is why school lunches are getting so much attention these days fro.... read more >> Eating Fresh Here: Farm to School Systems Change by Deb Bentzel Published: Tue, Apr 19th, 2011 Food systems movers and shakers have long been stymied about how to make locally grown foods, especially fresh produce more accessible, available, and affordable for low-income city dwellers. At the heart of this challenge is fairness. Farmers cannot lowe.... read more >> Farm to School? How About Farm to Summer Camp by Daniel Klein Published: Tue, Apr 19th, 2011 Youth farm isn't your typical summer camp playing basketball or swimming, instead, these kids learn how to garden, cook (and of course play games). It sounds a little strange, but its a unique program that kids love, it gets them outdoors and they learn w.... read more >> Food Corps Gets Kids (and Recent Grads) Into Gardens by Sara Beladi Published: Tue, Apr 19th, 2011 With growing public interest in locally raised food and garden based-education, FoodCorps -- an offshoot of AmeriCorps -- has captured the attention of hundreds of young adults, many of whom are recent graduates. Starting this summer, the organization .... read more >> Ultimate Food Fight Erupts as Feds Recook School Lunch Rules by Nirvi Shah Published: Mon, Apr 18th, 2011 Across the country, school cafeteria managers, farm lobbyists, food companies, celebrity chefs, students, and parents have started the ultimate food fight. The skirmish is over the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s efforts, prompted by the recent passag.... read more >> Growcology - "The Origins and Future of Farm to School" Published: Fri, Apr 8th, 2011 "The Origins and Future of Farm to School" with Robert Gottlieb. read more >> Schools, Farmers Team Up With Fresh Foods by Shlomit Auciello Published: Fri, Apr 8th, 2011 A federal program designed to address childhood obesity by helping children learn more healthful eating habits, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is inspiring local schools to create a variety of programs.. read more >> USDA Expands Access to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Schools Across the Nation by USDA Food and Nutrition Service Office of Communications Published: Fri, Mar 25th, 2011 <span style="font-weight: 400">Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that, as authorized by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill), USDA will expand assistance to state agencies for schools operating .... read more >> A Good Start: Pajaro Valley Schools Serve Breakfast in the Classroom by DONNA JONES Published: Fri, Mar 25th, 2011 <span><span>A few minutes before the bell rang to signal the start of the day Tuesday at Calabasas Elementary School, students pulled red wagons laden with apples, oatmeal bars and cartons of milk to classrooms.</span></span>. read more >> San Diego School Lunchrooms Go Green by Ana Tintocalis Published: Mon, Mar 21st, 2011 “This broccoli was grown special for you,” Vanessa Zajfen tells students before they eat their lunch. Zajfren is the San Diego Unified School District’s farm-to-school program specialist. “We planted it in November over five months ago, and now it's here .... read more >> From Farm to Classroom Published: Mon, Mar 21st, 2011 Many of the nation's schoolchildren don't know where food comes from and don't get to see fresh foods in their raw form, says Anupama Joshi, the co-director of the National Farm to School Network, an organization that promotes relationships between eleme.... read more >> Annie's Urges Support for USDA's Push for More Veggies in School Lunches Published: Mon, Mar 21st, 2011 More servings of veggies for kids in school lunches? Yes, please! Now through April 11, Annie's is asking kids, parents and schools to respond to the USDA's recent call for a dramatic change in school lunches - including increasing the number of servings .... read more >> Vote for your favorite new school lunch recipe by Nanci Hellmich Published: Mon, Mar 21st, 2011 You can vote for your favorite new school lunch recipe starting today at recipesforkidschallenge.com. As part of first lady Michelle Obama's Recipes for Healthy Kids competition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture challenged teams of school professionals,.... read more >> Jan Poppendieck: Rethinking School Food for the 21st Century by Max Follmer Published: Thu, Mar 3rd, 2011 Jan Poppendieck teaches sociology at Hunter College, City University of New York. Her book Free for All: Fixing School Food in America (University of California Press, 2010) is a comprehensive overview of the mess our nation's school lunch program is in t.... read more >> Immigrants and food: Another way to shape the national conversation by Robert Gottlieb Published: Thu, Mar 3rd, 2011 How do we get beyond the hostility and negative associations regarding immigrants and shine a light on their contributions to our economy and culture? One way is to see how immigrants provide for a healthier and more diverse food system. . read more >> Professor Robert Gottlieb discusses his book, "Food Justice" Published: Thu, Mar 3rd, 2011 Professor Robert Gottlieb discusses his book, "Food Justice" co-authored with Anupama Joshi, who is the co-director of the National Farm to School Network. read more >> First Lady Michelle Obama Celebrates the First Year of 'Let's Move!' by Honey Berk Published: Fri, Feb 25th, 2011 Today marks the first anniversary of Let's Move!, the comprehensive initiative launched last year by first lady Michelle Obama with the goal of solving the problem of childhood obesity in a generation.. read more >> America by Lizzie Simon Published: Fri, Feb 25th, 2011 Ask a group of school kids about "mystery meat" and they may have no idea what you're talking about, not if they're on the feeding end of national and local efforts to transform school lunch programs. A genuine movement is afoot at schools to cr.... read more >> Happy Anniversary Let's Move! FoodCorps Recruiting First Class of Service Members by Debra Eschmeyer Published: Fri, Feb 18th, 2011 When I was at the White House Childhood Obesity Forum in April 2010, one of the First Lady's statements truly resonated with me: "What we have done is start a national conversation. But we need your help to propel that conversation into a national re.... read more >> Federal grant to help put local food into N.E. schools, hospitals by Lisa Rathke Published: Fri, Feb 18th, 2011 A new $250,000 federal grant is aimed at putting more locally raised food into New England’s schools, colleges, and hospitals. The Department of Agriculture grant, awarded this month to the northeast committee of the National Farm to School Network, will .... read more >> Episode 69 Smart Food - Debra Eschmeyer Published: Tue, Feb 8th, 2011 On this episode of Smart Food, Debra explains how Food Corps will help bring local food to schools and why spreading the good-food message beyond the farmers-market crowd is so important.. read more >> The Lunch Love Community Published: Fri, Feb 4th, 2011 The Lunch Love Community Documentary Project is a series of short videos that chronicle Berkeley’s lunch program. Each three- to six-minute “bite-sized” video looks at a different aspect of how Berkeley continues to advance its school lunch program with h.... read more >> Viewpoints: School food program can transform how kids eat by Robert Gottlieb and Ann M. Evans Published: Fri, Feb 4th, 2011 A school food revolution is happening in Sacramento, in California and across the nation. It's about getting delicious, fresh, local and healthy food into the cafeterias. It's about setting up school gardens as a learning tool and creating knowledge about.... read more >> Bill calls for tax breaks to small produce operations by The Packer Published: Fri, Feb 4th, 2011 Congressman Joe Baca, D-Calif., has introduced the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grower Tax Incentive Act, a bill that would provide a $10,000 tax credit for produce growers with less than $500,000 in farm income. The bill targets small farmers, especially th.... read more >> School Nutrition Update by Aliza Wasserman Published: Fri, Feb 4th, 2011 In December, President Obama signed the Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR), known as the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which helps fight child hunger through federally funded school meals and nutrition programs. Though the bill far from perfect, it is.... read more >> So You Want to Find a Food Internship: A Job-Seeking Guide by Helene York Published: Fri, Feb 4th, 2011 Besides volunteering to gain experience, participating in campus food issues and, of course, becoming a chef, what other thoughts could I share to help guide our next wave of food advocates? Here are some of my favorites:. read more >> The School Food Tour: Pedaling for School Nutrition by Imelda March Published: Thu, Feb 3rd, 2011 The School Food Tour (SFT) is a self-supported, coast-to-coast bicycle tour that aims to encourage students to advocate for more wholesome school meals. The organization plans to engage young individuals through classroom sessions, farm visits, and group .... read more >> USDA Announces New Updates to the ''U.S. Food Environment Atlas'' Published: Thu, Feb 3rd, 2011 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today highlighted updates to an online mapping tool that compares U.S. counties in terms of their "food environment" - the set of factors that help determine and reflect a community's access to affordable, healt.... read more >> Ag Department Looks to Cap Calories in School Meals, Impose New Standards Published: Tue, Jan 18th, 2011 Instead of burritos, serve jicama. Instead of hot dogs, serve whole wheat spaghetti. Instead of tater tots, serve baked sweet potato fries. Those are just a few of the recommendations the U.S. Department of Agriculture made Thursday as it unveiled a new s.... read more >> How Will the New USDA Guidelines Improve School Lunch? by Brie Cadman Published: Tue, Jan 18th, 2011 And end to french fries in the school lunch line? Probably not, but a yesterday, the United States Department of Agriculture announced it will upgrade nutritional standards for the National School Lunch and Breakfast program, for the first time in 15 year.... read more >> Locally grown veggies spring up in schools by Robert Gottlieb and Yelena Zeltser Published: Tue, Jan 18th, 2011 A school food revolution, from Glendale to Riverside and the San Gabriel Valley, is happening in Southern California and around the country. It's about getting fresh, local, and healthy food into cafeterias. It's about setting up school gardens as a learn.... read more >> The Growing Fresh Food Movement by Alexandra Gross Published: Tue, Jan 18th, 2011 Individuals and grassroots organizations in rural and urban areas are on a mission to provide good food to people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. . read more >> From the Farm to Ferrisburgh School Published: Tue, Jan 18th, 2011 A great video about Ferrisburgh Central School's farm to school program, which includes a school garden. . read more >> New FoodCorps Will Get Food Into Kids and Kids Into Gardens by Laura Smith-Gary Published: Wed, Jan 5th, 2011 Across the country, young people have been getting into the "real food" act, from advocating for sustainable, ethical, local food on their college campuses to fighting for justice for farmworkers to ditching their Williamsburg apartments and bec.... read more >> Featured: FOOD JUSTICE by Gottlieb and Joshi by Chris Smith Published: Tue, Jan 4th, 2011 Book Review - Offering a broad view of contemporary food issues, Food Justice is a superb introduction to thinking holistically about the food we eat. Although it spares no punches in illuminating the problems in the American food system and how these pr.... read more >> Cooking up more healthful school meals by Chidinma Okparanta Published: Tue, Jan 4th, 2011 Eme Akonawe is one of 54 students at Laurel High who soon will get the opportunity to create healthier meals for Prince George's County schools by forming Culinary and Healthful Enhancement Food, or CHEF, teams as part of a countywide competition. The tea.... read more >> Angry About Bad School Lunches? You Can Go Help by Cecily Upton Published: Tue, Jan 4th, 2011 This is not a story about the problem. It is a story about the solution. Because we’ve got to do something – something big – when one in three kids is obese or overweight and their life expectancy is less than that of their parents. Well, put on your Carh.... read more >> Healthy school food may come with a cost by Hailey Persinger Published: Tue, Jan 4th, 2011 Allocating more money toward food services is nothing new for a district that’s made it a priority to become a bastion of nutrient-rich, locally grown public school meals. It pours nearly $55 million of its $1.2 billion annual operating budget into food s.... read more >> Fixing School Lunch by Charles Stuart Platkin Published: Tue, Jan 4th, 2011 Part two of a two-part interview with Dr. Janet Poppendieck,an expert on school food. She is a sociologist, professor at Hunter College and author of a new book called Free for All: Fixing School Food in America (University of California Press, 2010). . read more >> The "How," "What" and "Why" of School Lunch by Charles Stuart Platkin Published: Tue, Jan 4th, 2011 Part one of a two-part interview with Dr. Janet Poppendieck,an expert on school food. She is a sociologist, professor at Hunter College and author of a new book called Free for All: Fixing School Food in America (University of California Press, 2010). . read more >> Five myths about school food by Janet Poppendieck Published: Tue, Jan 4th, 2011 The fight over how and what we feed our kids at school is a complex one; clear thinking about what we need is often hampered by persistent myths. . read more >> Local School Tests a Program to Serve More Local Produce by Cassandra Morris Published: Wed, Dec 15th, 2010 <a rel="nofollow" href="http://montrose.patch.com/listings/mountain-avenue-elementary-school">Mountain Avenue Elementary School</a> was the site of a California Farm to School pilot program last week that brought locally .... read more >> Congress Prioritizes Farm to School Connection by Lisa Kivirist Published: Mon, Dec 13th, 2010 In a part of the bill that provides particular interest to small-scale farmers, Congress also made a first-time investment in farm to school programs, which connect K-12 schools with farmers’ fresh, locally grown food. While grassroots organizations have .... read more >> School Lunch Victory by Anupama Joshi and Robert Gottlieb Published: Mon, Dec 13th, 2010 Thanks to the tireless efforts of thousands of people who are working hard to get America's schools to serve healthier food, including First Lady Michelle Obama, the $4.5 billion "Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act 2010" prevailed in the lame-duck se.... read more >> USDA removes major barrier to Michelle Obama’s salad-bar initiative by Ed Bruske Published: Wed, Dec 8th, 2010 First Lady Michelle Obama announced last week that a new public-private partnership, <a href="http://saladbars2schools.org/">Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools</a>, would make it possible for as many as 6,000 salad bars to be installe.... read more >> Bringing the farm to school by Megan O'Neil Published: Tue, Dec 7th, 2010 <p>Nutrition education and healthy lunches have become an increasingly important priority at Glendale Unified in recent years. This week produce, which came from independent farms in Carlsbad, Fillmore, Tehachapi and Goleta, was being served to M.... read more >> National Farm to School Month Designated Published: Tue, Dec 7th, 2010 Beginning in 2011, October will be National Farm to School Month. The designation, proposed in H. RES. 1655 and introduced by Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), was approved last month by the House of Representatives. The resolution aims to encourage direct far.... read more >> Casa on culinary arts by Victoria Webb Published: Mon, Dec 6th, 2010 . read more >> Battling Childhood Obesity in the Inland Empire by Bettye Miller Published: Mon, Dec 6th, 2010 . read more >> Grateful Gleaning at Organic Farms by Beth Huizenga Published: Mon, Nov 29th, 2010 Novato school district's Miguel Villareal and Helge Hellberg, executive director of <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.marinorganic.org/">Marin Organic</a> and the creator and host of <a rel="nofollow" href=&qu.... read more >> Stick a Fork in It: Pass The Child Nutrition Act by Debra Eschmeyer Published: Tue, Nov 23rd, 2010 We are preparing for the most thoroughly planned meal in America, and it's not Thanksgiving dinner. It's school lunch. For the last two years, advocates, lobbyists, politicians, and celebrities from <a href="http://www.ihavenet.com/United-States-.... read more >> Stick a Fork in It: Pass The Child Nutrition Act by Debra Eschmeyer Published: Mon, Nov 22nd, 2010 We are preparing for the most thoroughly planned meal in America, and it's not Thanksgiving dinner. It's school lunch.. read more >> School lunches in Oceanside district win honor Published: Mon, Nov 22nd, 2010 Oceanside Unified School District Food and Nutrition Director Vino Mitro won the grand prize Golden Carrot Award from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) during National School Lunch Week for his work improving the healthfulness of th.... read more >> Better Beef, It’s What’s For Lunch? Kids in Four of the Nation’s Largest School Districts Are Served by Ralph Loglisci Published: Mon, Nov 22nd, 2010 California’s Oakland Unified School District, San Diego Public Schools, Portland Public Schools, and Denver Public Schools receive praise as four FOCUS districts that organized and participated in Better Beef Days by serving sustainably raised beef to stu.... read more >> The Latest on Getting Healthy Munches in School Lunches by Meredith Barnett Published: Mon, Nov 15th, 2010 Mystery meat has left the building. In school lunchrooms across the country, students are filling their cafeteria trays with more fresh produce and award-winning nutritional entrees as schools change the way they approach nutrition. Chefs and community me.... read more >> Are we on our way to healthy food for kids? Published: Thu, Nov 11th, 2010 . read more >> OUSD Celebrates School Lunch Week with Better Beef Published: Thu, Nov 11th, 2010 . read more >> Long Beach schoolchildren are a model for healthy eating by Mary MacVean Published: Thu, Nov 11th, 2010 . read more >> Berkeley Center Wants Schools to Rethink Lunch by ALEXA NEMETH Published: Thu, Nov 11th, 2010 . read more >> Controversy brews over chocolate milk by MICHELLE L. KLAMPE and DAYNA STRAEHLEY Published: Thu, Nov 11th, 2010 . read more >> Yamaguchi, Okimoto highlight ‘Grow Hawaii Challenge’ by Joleen Oshiro Published: Thu, Nov 11th, 2010 . read more >> Nourish Middle School Curriculum Guide - Free Download by WorldLink and the Center for Ecoliteracy Published: Tue, Nov 9th, 2010 The Nourish Middle School Curriculum Guide offers a rich set of resources to open a meaningful conversation about food and sustainability. Beautifully designed and brimming with big ideas, the materials contain a viewing guide, six learning activities,.... read more >> Farm Fresh Produce Headed to Local Schools by Jack Gates Published: Wed, Oct 27th, 2010 Farm to School Specialist Vanessa Zajfen and Food Services Director Gary Petill of FOCUS district San Diego Unified discuss plans to incorporate more locally grown foods in the district’s offerings and the program’s goal of procuring 25% of all produce fr.... read more >> School meals study provides food for thought by Stacy Finz Published: Wed, Oct 27th, 2010 . read more >> FoodCorps Offers Public Service Program for Oxy Students by Sundeep Singh Published: Wed, Oct 20th, 2010 Initially conceived in 2009 and operational since February of this year, FoodCorps' primary goal is to improve general health in America by spreading awareness of the benefits of maintaining whole, locally sourced diets. FoodCorps is a sub-project of the .... read more >> Deploying an Army to Fix School Meals by Debra Eschmeyer Published: Wed, Oct 20th, 2010 Two programs -- school gardens and Farm to School -- are particularly effective, and that's where FoodCorps comes in. Working in school districts suffering disproportionate rates of childhood obesity, FoodCorps service members will build and tend school g.... read more >> Presidential Proclamation--National School Lunch Week by President Published: Thu, Oct 14th, 2010 To provide more fruits, vegetables, and other fresh and nutritious foods for school meals, the USDA is also working to develop farm-to-school partnerships with local farmers, States, localities, tribal authorities, school districts, and community organiza.... read more >> Bring the Farm to the School by Judi Gerber Published: Wed, Oct 6th, 2010 As the school year gets underway, many parents are no doubt dreading the usual barrage of requests to sell fundraising items for their child’s school, most of which are neither healthy, environmentally sound, or even wanted: candy, wrapping paper, and yet.... read more >> Rethinking School Lunch by Eatocracy Published: Mon, Sep 27th, 2010 Chef Todd Gray is taking on what he describes as "his toughest customers yet" - the students of Washington D.C. public schools. Gray is part of the "Chefs Move to School," a program in search of healthier school meals and pioneered by .... read more >> School-Lunch Staff Bring Nutrition to the Table by Brooke Lea Foster Published: Tue, Sep 21st, 2010 From Portland, Oregon, to Atlanta, school menus are being redone with health in mind, even as budgets shrink and parents tighten their wallets. Managers are finding more appealing types of food to serve and more appetizing ways to serve it. And part of th.... read more >> Local Teacher Publishes Holistic Food Curriculum by Joe Orso Published: Mon, Sep 20th, 2010 . read more >> SD Unified Working To Make School Lunches Healthier by Maureen Cavanaugh and Hank Crook Published: Tue, Aug 17th, 2010 Chicken fried something, spaghetti and mystery meat used to be hallmarks of school cuisine back in the day. But San Diego Unified School District says those days are no more. . read more >> Farm-to-school: Brookside crops ripening by Cate Oliver and Allison Petro Published: Mon, Aug 16th, 2010 Just as students are enjoying the waning weeks of summer soaking in the Willits sun, the crops of Brookside School Farm are relishing the rays and showing their first signs of ripening. Bursts of red tomatoes poke through thick green rows at the one-acre .... read more >> From farm to school by Alycia Kiley Published: Thu, Aug 12th, 2010 Farm to School is a growing national program that connects students with local farms. School cafeterias serve produce straight from local growers while educating students about agriculture and nutrition, thanks to the program. Moreover, students learn fir.... read more >> Senate Passes Child Nutrition Bill Published: Wed, Aug 11th, 2010 On Thursday, August 5, the Senate passed a child nutrition program re-authorization bill by unanimous consent. The bill provides a 6-cent per meal increase in school lunch reimbursements, expands school meal eligibility, and establishes stronger nutritio.... read more >> Farm To School Program Part of New Healthy Hunger-free Kids Act by Richard Garcia Published: Tue, Aug 10th, 2010 The Senate passed legislation last week aimed at reducing childhood obesity and strengthening programs dedicated to improving children's' nutrition. The Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act will provide $4.5 billion to improving the National School Lunch Program.... read more >> A conversation with Marion Kalb Published: Mon, Aug 2nd, 2010 Marion Kalb, Program Director, National Farm to School talks about the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act and First Lady Michelle Obama.. read more >> Senate Committee Adopts Ag Spending Bill Published: Mon, Jul 26th, 2010 . read more >> House committee passes 'Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act' by Krista Simmons Published: Mon, Jul 26th, 2010 On Thursday the "Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act" was passed by the House Education and Labor Committee, bringing the nation's kids one bite closer to the possibility of more nutritious meals. . read more >> Field trips teach local children about food, farming and nutrition Published: Thu, Jul 22nd, 2010 Locally Delicious, a pending nonprofit group taking its name from a local cookbook, joined with the Community Alliance with Family Farmers recently, donating $400 each to ensure kids can visit a working farm this summer. The program, titled “Farm to Schoo.... read more >> Schools learning to cook from scratch by Marjorie Hernandez Published: Mon, Jul 19th, 2010 Some local school districts plan to shed the stigma of cafeteria food by revamping their menus and offering a variety of healthier fare in the coming school year, while others are taking it a step further by ditching packaged foods and reviving cooking fr.... read more >> Child Nutrition with Farm to School Passes House Committee Published: Fri, Jul 16th, 2010 On Thursday, July 15, the House Education and Labor Committee approved the child nutrition reauthorization bill authored by Chairman George Miller (D-CA) (Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act, H.R. 5504) by a vote of 32 -13 with Republicans Todd.... read more >> Briefing addresses methods to combat growing prediabetes incidence Published: Thu, Jul 15th, 2010 Julie Paradis, administrator for food and nutrition services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, outlined the agency’s current and future efforts. She said the passing of a robust childhood nutrition act is needed to improve the health and well-being o.... read more >> SNA Conference Opens with Guest from The White House by Bill Bailey Published: Tue, Jul 13th, 2010 Chef Geraci talked about his experience with the Farm to School program. “It’s so important to connect kids to the origins of food,” Geraci said. In his Baltimore program he has students that plant, grow, harvest, cook and serve foods from a garden at Gre.... read more >> Celebrity Chef and Army General Urge Congress to Fix School Lunch by Christine Binder Published: Tue, Jul 6th, 2010 Most of the legislators present for a hearing on the Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act of 2010 seemed in favor of implementing Farm to School programs and removing junk food from schools. Those are great steps forward, but they’re only pa.... read more >> A ripe market by Renee Stern Published: Fri, Jul 2nd, 2010 Opportunities in the expanding school food markets are ripe for growers to explore. “This is the peak era,” says Anupama Joshi, program director for the National Farm to School Program in Los Angeles. “It’s all hit a tipping point.” <br/> <br/&g.... read more >> Merrigan on Farm to School program by Beverley Kreul Published: Wed, Jun 16th, 2010 The USDA is increasing its efforts to educate students about where their food comes from through the agency’s Farm to School educational program. USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan says educating youth is the first step to educating the public. <.... read more >> Farm-to-school project gets tons of strawberries to children by Debbie Arrington Published: Wed, Jun 16th, 2010 The "eat local" movement has gone to school. Two healthy-living initiatives converged in Sacramento strawberry fields and school cafeterias last spring. Under an innovative new program, strawberries grown by local small family farms were .... read more >> School Nutrition Explores Farm-to-School Programs Published: Tue, Jun 15th, 2010 Are you considering working to implement a farm-to-school program in your district? The June/July issue of School Nutrition, SNA’s award-winning flagship publication, walks you through the steps for deciding whether such a program is right for your school.... read more >> Farm-to-school movement gains momentum by Jeannette E. Warnert Published: Mon, Jun 14th, 2010 UC Davis is riding high on a swell of interest in changing the way American children eat. First lady Michelle Obama, celebrity chef Alice Waters and TV personality Jamie Oliver are behind the spiking popularity of a movement that has been quietly building.... read more >> Michelle Obama's push to cut kids' obesity by Neil Peirce Published: Mon, Jun 14th, 2010 Can we really slim down the next generation of Americans, help our school children shed the extra pounds that could spell lifetimes with high prospects of type 2 diabetes or heart problems? <br/> <br/> Michelle Obama is trying hard to reach .... read more >> Congressman proposes $8 billion for child nutrition by Jane Black Published: Fri, Jun 11th, 2010 Many advocates cheered the proposed increase in funding. The sustainable agriculture lobby cheered $50 million in mandatory funding for farm-to-school programs. The School Nutrition Association applauded the new professional standards for cafeteria worker.... read more >> A model lunch by Nancy Brands Ward Published: Thu, Jun 10th, 2010 School lunch has a bad rep. The phrase no doubt invokes memories of suspiciously gray-colored hot dogs, 2,000-calorie cinnamon rolls and nutrient-free vegetables, like ketchup, from your school days. But people involved in the one local Farm to School pro.... read more >> Farm to School program puts focus on healthy eating by Ashley Gebb Published: Mon, Jun 7th, 2010 School nutritionists, farmers and others in the agriculture industry have joined forces to make Farm to School a reality in Yuba County. They brainstormed this week about potential allies and barriers they will face if they push to feed students more loca.... read more >> Will work for food? Try Food Corps by Jane Black Published: Mon, Jun 7th, 2010 The problems with school food are well-established. There’s not enough money, not enough manpower and often not enough know-how to produce fresher, more healthful food. Now, a group of good-food advocates has a plan: Establish a national Food Corps to hel.... read more >> The NEW Farmer by Beverly & Sean Corvino Published: Mon, Jun 7th, 2010 The NEW Farmer's Voice short is a documentary of a young couple's desire to sucessfully work a family farm in Scotland, CT. Erica and Chris Andrews have received enthusiastic support from their neighbors for their diverse products. They are using the CSA .... read more >> Bringing Better Food to Public Schools, One Farm at a Time by Chi Ewusi Published: Fri, May 28th, 2010 At the last Farm to Cafeteria Conference held in Detroit, Michigan last week, keynote speaker Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary for the Department of Agriculture reassured America that the health of our children is a top priority. Obesity prevention is .... read more >> Detroit hosts "Farm to Cafeteria" conference by Associated Press Published: Thu, May 27th, 2010 This week's national "Farm to Cafeteria" conference in Detroit will include a look at area efforts to provide fresh, local food. The event titled "Taking Root" opens Monday and runs through Wednesday. It offers the chance for people.... read more >> Last week's National Farm to School conference draws 700, showcases city's food system innovations by Kelli B. Kavanaugh Published: Thu, May 27th, 2010 More than 700 food activists, farmers, school administrators and city officials packed the Renaissance Center from May 17 to 19 for the fifth annual National Farm to Cafeteria Conference. Hosted by the National Farm to School Network, attendees were immer.... read more >> Governor Signs Farm-to-School Bill by Diana Haecker Published: Thu, May 27th, 2010 Governor Sean Parnell on Tuesday signed into law the Farm-to-School Act at Palmer High School. . read more >> Rachel Ray by Kerry Trueman Published: Thu, May 27th, 2010 A good article in the Huffington Post re Rachel Ray's support for better childhood nutrition in schools and her advocacy to Congress to support Childhood Nutrition Reauthorization legislation.. read more >> Childhood Obesity Task Force Unveils Action Plan: Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Published: Thu, May 13th, 2010 Today, First Lady Michelle Obama joined Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes and members of the Childhood Obesity Task Force to unveil the Task Force action plan: Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation. In conjunction with.... read more >> Willmar School Board raises lunch prices for ’10-11, talks about free breakfast program by Linda Vanderwerf Published: Thu, May 13th, 2010 The Willmar School Board has approved a nickel increase in the cost of students’ school meals for the 2010-11 school year. The increase, roughly $9 per student for the school year, came after a lengthy discussion at the board meeting Monday. One of the.... read more >> Know someone smart, green and/or growing? Published: Thu, May 13th, 2010 Gov. Martin O'Malley isn't done handing out the 2010 awards under the Smart, Green and Growing program, but he's already calling on residents to nominate next year's winners. Citizens can nominate their fellow citizens, local governments and organizat.... read more >> Sen. Bob Casey Jr. has been an advocate for child nutrition programs for years, but Pennsylvania's s Published: Thu, May 13th, 2010 Michelle Obama is the first lady who released childhood obesity action plan on Tuesday 11th may, 2010. In United States, the rate of childhood obesity has grown rapidly in recent years. There are plenty of data available that disclose the stunning fact th.... read more >> Senators, Rachael Ray, first lady push for children's nutrition programs by Daniel Malloy Published: Thu, May 13th, 2010 Sen. Bob Casey Jr. has been an advocate for child nutrition programs for years, but Pennsylvania's soft-spoken Democrat will be the first to admit he doesn't have star power. So when first lady Michelle Obama and celebrity chef Rachael Ray both held even.... read more >> GSU professor finds link between obesity and federal school nutrition programs. by Georgia State University Published: Thu, May 13th, 2010 With obesity becoming an epidemic among school-aged children in this country, a Georgia State University professor has found a link between overweight children and federal school nutrition programs.. read more >> 41 ORGANIZATIONS URGE CONGRESS TO FUND FARM TO SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM by National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Published: Tue, May 11th, 2010 . read more >> Groups seek $50 million for farm to school programs by Tom Karst Published: Tue, May 11th, 2010 More than 40 organizations are urging Congress to set aside $50 million in mandatory funding for farm to school programs as part of the reauthorization of child nutrition programs. . read more >> U.S. schools add fresh food without busting budgets by Lisa Baertlein Published: Sun, May 9th, 2010 Thousands of U.S. public school districts are teaming up with local farmers to put more fresh fruits and vegetables on lunchroom menus, without breaking budgets or getting any help from celebrity chefs.. read more >> Introducing the Food Corps by Paula Crossfield Published: Wed, May 5th, 2010 With one in three children (and one in two children of color) overweight or obese in this country, the health of America’s kids is under the microscope and, for the first time in our history, children born now will not live as long as their parents. Miche.... read more >> 41 ORGANIZATIONS URGE CONGRESS TO FUND FARM TO SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM Published: Wed, May 5th, 2010 41 national organizations delivered a letter to House and Senate Congressional leaders Monday urging them to include $50 million in mandatory funding for programs linking farmers with local schools as part of the 2010 Child Nutrition Act reauthorization. .... read more >> What I learned at Michelle Obama’s historic obesity summit by Debra Eschmeyer Published: Thu, Apr 15th, 2010 Joining the ranks of the 75 students who are Michelle Obama's most critical stakeholders in her Let's Move! campaign, I was fortunate enough to be on deck and participate as a representative for the National Farm to School Network at this meeting and make.... read more >> Healthy, and Safe, School Lunches by Editorial Published: Thu, Apr 15th, 2010 It is probably too much to hope that the more than 30 million school lunches served every day will taste absolutely fabulous. But Congress should at least make certain that whatever lands on those cafeteria trays is nutritious and safe to eat. Every day i.... read more >> We need a nanny to pester us about our nutrient-poor diets by Suzanne Havala Hobbs Published: Thu, Apr 8th, 2010 At the same time, Congress has reauthorized child nutrition programs and with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 has set in motion a series of new policies aimed at improving federal nutrition programs including the national school lunch program an.... read more >> Industry advisory group hears about numerous issues by Tom Karst Published: Thu, Apr 1st, 2010 Lucas Knowles, special assistant to the office of the undersecretary, described the activities of the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative. Meanwhile, Chuck Parrott, associate deputy administrator of USDA AMS fruit and vegetable programs and Loren .... read more >> A TV Show and Congress Tackle School Lunches by Kim Severson Published: Thu, Apr 1st, 2010 The Child Nutrition Act comes up for financing every five years. It pays for school food and other nutrition programs for lower-income children. It’s also the mechanism legislators can use to change the rules that govern those programs. The bill headed to.... read more >> Farm to Cafeteria Conference coming to Detroit Published: Sat, Mar 27th, 2010 This spring, the 5th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference (hosted by the National Farm to School Network) will be taking place in Detroit, Michigan from May 17-19. The conference, entitled Taking Root, will offer workshops, speakers, short courses, movie.... read more >> Jamie Oliver’s ‘Food Revolution’ Stirs the Pot by Kim O'Donnel Published: Fri, Mar 26th, 2010 In her Civil Eats essay, Debra Eschmeyer, of the Farm to School Network, expresses her wish that Oliver “would bring to the surface the myriad obstacles to bring fresh local food to the lunch room, most of which can be overcome, but it can’t necessarily b.... read more >> Jamie Oliver Turns the Spotlight on Our Own Homegrown Heroes by Kerry Trueman Published: Fri, Mar 26th, 2010 It's local cooks, teaching local people, it's free cooking lessons in the main street...this is real, tangible change...around America, there's plenty of wonderful things going on, there are angels in America doing great things in schools: farm to school .... read more >> Jamie Oliver: Stirring Up a Food Fight by Debra Eschmeyer Published: Fri, Mar 26th, 2010 Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution is cooking up more than home made meals from fresh ingredients. The show has already stirred up deeply seeded emotions about school food feeding systems...all before the first episode airs tonight!. read more >> Senate Advances School Lunch Reform: Is A 6 Cent Increase Enough? by Mary Clare Jalonick Published: Fri, Mar 26th, 2010 The legislation would also provide money for farm-to-school programs, encouraging schools to buy foods from local farms and grow food gardens on campus. It would be partly paid for by reducing conservation subsidies paid to farmers for using environmental.... read more >> Senate panel takes aim at unhealthy school lunches by Associated Press Published: Wed, Mar 24th, 2010 The legislation approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee would allow the Agriculture Department to create uniform standards for all foods in schools, including vending machine items, to give students healthier meal options. The legislation allocates a.... read more >> MSU researchers endorse farm-to-school programs by Associated Press Published: Mon, Mar 22nd, 2010 Michigan State University scientists say schools that buy produce from local farmers can save money while giving students healthy food they enjoy.. read more >> Senator Leahy introduces “farm to school” bill by Office of Sen. Patrick Leahy Published: Fri, Mar 19th, 2010 Their "Growing Farm To School Programs Act" would provide $50 million in startup funds to local schools and districts, through competitive grants, for technical help in connecting school food service providers with local small- and medium-sized .... read more >> Senator proposes $4.5 billion for child nutrition by Jane Black Published: Thu, Mar 18th, 2010 For more than a year, advocates of school food reform have been calling for more money to improve school lunch. Today, they're one step closer to getting it, but some say the amount is far less than they had hoped.. read more >> It Takes a Rocket Scientist? by Debra Eschmeyer Published: Thu, Mar 11th, 2010 U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12), an actual rocket scientist and five-time Jeopardy winner, has introduced legislation that would create a Farm to School grant program to fight childhood obesity and support local farmers. . read more >> Farm to School program has third-graders scrambling to the salad bar by Lisa Rathke Published: Tue, Mar 2nd, 2010 The third- and fourth-graders at Sharon Elementary know where the veggies in their soup come from because they've visited the farms. They know the nutritional value of the carrots, onions, and cabbage because they've studied them in class, and they know h.... read more >> Farm to School 'Real Food Is' Video Contest Published: Tue, Mar 2nd, 2010 Due on March 29th, 2010 - Create a short video that completes the phrase "Real Food is..." and you can win $1,000 for your school food project. Produce a 30 second to 3 minute video that informs, inspires, and encourages student advocacy to .... read more >> Gettin Real with Sustainability by Anya Fernald Published: Tue, Mar 2nd, 2010 There are challenges for anyone entering into a sustainable food business today. The titanic industrial agriculture machine that feeds the bulk of America provides cheap, assembly-line food that costs less to produce than nutritious food grown with consid.... read more >> Farm to School program plants seeds of healthy eating in kids by Lisa Rathke Published: Tue, Feb 16th, 2010 The third and fourth graders at Sharon Elementary know where the veggies in their soup come from because they've visited the farms. They know the nutritional value of the carrots, onions and cabbage because they've studied them in class, and they know how.... read more >> Farm to School program changes kids' views on food by Lisa Rathke Published: Tue, Feb 16th, 2010 The third and fourth graders at Sharon Elementary know where the veggies in their soup come from because they've visited the farms. They know the nutritional value of the carrots, onions and cabbage because they've studied them in class, and they know how.... read more >> Farm to School program changes kids' views on food by Lisa Rathke Published: Tue, Feb 16th, 2010 The 105-student school is part of the National Farm to School Network, aimed at getting healthier meals into school cafeterias, teaching kids about agriculture and nutrition and supporting local farmers. "Vermont has really taken it on in quite the m.... read more >> Farm to School program changes kids‘ views on food by Lisa Rathke Published: Tue, Feb 16th, 2010 The 105-student school is part of the National Farm to School Network, aimed at getting healthier meals into school cafeterias, teaching kids about agriculture and nutrition and supporting local farmers. "Vermont has really taken it on in quite th.... read more >> Farm to School program changes kids' views on food by Lisa Rathke Published: Tue, Feb 16th, 2010 The third and fourth graders at Sharon Elementary know where the veggies in their soup come from because they’ve visited the farms. They know the nutritional value of the carrots, onions and cabbage because they’ve studied them in class, and they know how.... read more >> Farm to School program plants seeds of healthy eating in kids by Lisa Rathke Published: Tue, Feb 16th, 2010 The third and fourth graders at Sharon Elementary know where the veggies in their soup come from because they've visited the farms. They know the nutritional value of the carrots, onions and cabbage because they've studied them in class, and they know how.... read more >> Farm to School program plants seeds of healthy eating in kids by Lisa Rathke Published: Thu, Feb 11th, 2010 The third and fourth graders at Sharon Elementary know where the veggies in their soup come from because they've visited the farms. They know the nutritional value of the carrots, onions and cabbage because they've studied them in class, and they know how.... read more >> Farm To School Program Changes Kids' Views On Food by Lisa Rathke Published: Thu, Feb 11th, 2010 About 40 states have farm-to-school programs, but Vermont is a leader in incorporating all three missions into its programs. "Vermont has really taken it on in quite the most holistic way and not just in a couple of school districts but statewide,.... read more >> Farm to School program changes kids' views on food by Lisa Rathke, Associated Press Published: Thu, Feb 11th, 2010 The third and fourth graders at Sharon Elementary know where the veggies in their soup come from because they've visited the farms. They know the nutritional value of the carrots, onions and cabbage because they've studied them in class, and they know how.... read more >> Farm to School Program Changes Kids' Views on Food by Lisa Rathke, Associated Press Published: Thu, Feb 11th, 2010 The third and fourth graders at Sharon Elementary know where the veggies in their soup come from because they've visited the farms. They know the nutritional value of the carrots, onions and cabbage because they've studied them in class, and they know how.... read more >> Farm to School program changes kids' views on food by Associated Press Published: Thu, Feb 11th, 2010 The third and fourth graders at Sharon Elementary know where the veggies in their soup come from because they've visited the farms. They know the nutritional value of the carrots, onions and cabbage because they've studied them in class, and they know how.... read more >> Some schools opting for local, farm fresh lunches by Vivian Luu Published: Tue, Feb 9th, 2010 Some schools opting for local, farm fresh lunches By Vivian Luu February 2, 2010 More schools are stepping away from processed food and jumping into the Farm to School (FTS) program, which brings local food into lunchrooms and gets students in touch .... read more >> Obama Budget Doesn’t Thrill School Lunch Advocates by Kim Severson Published: Wed, Feb 3rd, 2010 President Obama’s budget proposal is getting mixed reviews among the people watching over the quality of public school lunches. Some say it’s too little to make any meaningful change, while others are relieved school food programs are getting anything whe.... read more >> State of the Union's School Lunch: Nutrition as National Defense and Fiscal Health by Debra Eschmeyer Published: Tue, Feb 2nd, 2010 Don't make us tighten our belts on child nutrition programs while the girth of the nation grows. The government spends $1 million per soldier in Afghanistan, yet barely spends $1 on the food in a school lunch. When President Obama addresses the nation .... read more >> $25 MILLION FOR NEW SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT by USDA Published: Tue, Feb 2nd, 2010 WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of $25 million in grants to help schools operating a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) replace outdated equipment with new, energy efficient, appliances such.... read more >> Bill seeks more fresh produce in U.S. school meals by Charles Abbott Published: Tue, Feb 2nd, 2010 The government would spend $150 million to put more fresh fruits and vegetables into school meals under a bill filed by 16 lawmakers on Wednesday with an eye to next year's overhaul of school food programs. Congress delayed work on child nutrition unt.... read more >> Farr bill would increase fruits, vegetables in schools by The Free Lance Staff Published: Tue, Feb 2nd, 2010 Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) on Wednesday introduced legislation aimed at increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in school breakfasts and lunches, according to a press release from his office. The bill includes several strategies that will impr.... read more >> Farm to Table calendar captures the beauty of Humboldt County Published: Tue, Feb 2nd, 2010 The Community Alliance with Family Farmers’ (CAFF) Farm to Table calendar is an annual fundraiser that helps keep important programs running for farmers and supports outreach to the community. Farm to Table illustrates a story of place. Local photographer.... read more >> Green Report Card: Is Your Child's School Flunking the Environment? by Adria Vasil Published: Tue, Feb 2nd, 2010 You’d think schools would be role models for good behavior now wouldn’t you? Oh sure they might talk a good game about the importance of recycling paper and protecting polar bears, but are they walking the walk? Not if they’re leaving the lights on day an.... read more >> Call for Site Visits by USDA Farm to School Tactical Teams by USDA Food & Nutrition Services Published: Tue, Jan 19th, 2010 . read more >> Leaders of the Pack: Farm-to-School Programs Feed Kids Across the Country by Kathy Shorr Published: Thu, Jan 7th, 2010 Quietly, whether in rural communities or large cities, schools are finding novel ways to feed kids healthier, locally grown food, often cultivated by the children themselves as part of the curriculum. You might picture this as the province of wealthy scho.... read more >> Christina’s a Lunchroom Hit — John Steward’s Next by Madie Murray Published: Thu, Jan 7th, 2010 Lunches like these, which are mostly made from scratch and from fresh, locally procured sources, take a considerable amount of preparation time over the pre-packaged, highly preserved items previously served in school cafeterias across the Country. read more >> Food Safety: Another Benefit of Healthy School Lunch Programs' by Kim Ukura Published: Tue, Dec 22nd, 2009 At the risk of sounding repetitive, I'd like to add to the growing list of the benefits for healthy school lunches and school lunch reform that we blogged about yesterday. On Tuesday, USA TODAY ran an investigative story about tainted school lunches that .... read more >> Obama's chef and policy wonk by E. B. Solomont Published: Tue, Dec 22nd, 2009 On any given day, White House chef Sam Kass can be found grilling fish for the Obama family, tending the first lady's organic garden or hashing out food policy ideas with senior administration advisers. Indeed, it is a unique role for a 29-year-old chef .... read more >> USDA Announces More Funding for Beginning Farmers by Paula Mohr Published: Tue, Dec 22nd, 2009 . read more >> Soil & Water annual dinner and awards Published: Mon, Dec 21st, 2009 The annual celebration and awards ceremony for Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District will be held in Eagle Point, Friday, Jan. 15. The catered dinner will feature local products in keeping with the event theme of "from Farm to School." .... read more >> Farr bill would increase fruits, vegetables in schools by Team X Published: Mon, Dec 21st, 2009 Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) on Wednesday introduced legislation aimed at increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in school breakfasts and lunches, according to a press release from his office. The bill includes several strategies that will impr.... read more >> Farr bill would increase fruits, vegetables in schools by Charles Abbott Published: Thu, Dec 17th, 2009 Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) on Wednesday introduced legislation aimed at increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in school breakfasts and lunches, according to a press release from his office. The bill includes several strategies that will impr.... read more >> National Farm to School Network has exploded from simple beginnings by Bob Luder Published: Mon, Dec 14th, 2009 Those were the humble beginnings of what today is the National Farm to School Network, a program that brings food - a vast majority of which is fresh produce - from local farms to school children nationwide. What started as a few pilot programs in Califor.... read more >> 'Evangelist' for Organics Going Against the Grain in Iowa by Allison Winter Published: Thu, Dec 3rd, 2009 This is a totally new direction for us," said Debi Durham, president and CEO of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. "We are an agribusiness economy, but there is room for an alternative lifestyle." Durham added, "Within the next 10 y.... read more >> Princeton Student Wins Rhodes for Farm to School Study by Jason Jung Published: Thu, Dec 3rd, 2009 Henry Barmeier '10, a Wilson School major earning certificates in environmental studies and Spanish, is the University's sole Rhodes Scholarship recipient for 2010. The Rhodes Trust announced this year's winners late Saturday evening.. read more >> The New and Improved USDA Supports Local, Sustainable Food by Vanessa Barrington Published: Wed, Dec 2nd, 2009 . read more >> The Top 20 Real Food Advocates To Follow On Twitter by Beth B. Published: Wed, Dec 2nd, 2009 Here are 20 Twitter Users (in no particular order) who have dedicated their lives, both on and offline, to changing the way we grow, purchase, and eat food. Farm to School is included in this list.. read more >> School Lunches Go Back to the Land by Fran Smith Published: Wed, Dec 2nd, 2009 One year ago, in a defunct orphanage on 33 weed-choked acres outside of Baltimore, Anthony Geraci found his field of dreams. Today, the Great Kids Farm is all that he imagined and more: the centerpiece of a focused effort to transform school food service .... read more >> Farm to School Initiative offers Field Guide for parents to bring food curriculum to schools by Suki Wessling Published: Mon, Nov 9th, 2009 The Community Alliance with Family Farmers, a California non-profit that promotes the interests, rights, and health of small farms, has released a Farm to School Field Guide with information for parents and community members about integrating farms with s.... read more >> Let's Talk Honestly About Improving School Food by Dana Woldow Published: Mon, Nov 9th, 2009 The official party line is that "it costs no more" for schools to do farm to school because purchasing locally grown produce is cheaper than buying food shipped in from all around the country.. read more >> Big Plans for Small Farmers by Kim Severson Published: Mon, Nov 9th, 2009 "Americans are more interested in food and agriculture than at any other time since most families left the farm," said Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan in a statement announcing the initiative. The U.S.D.A.'s new "Know Your Fa.... read more >> The Farm to School Program for School Lunches: Sowing Seeds of a Healthier Future for Children by Beverly Bright Published: Mon, Nov 9th, 2009 There are 30 million children eating school lunches, 5 days a week, 180 days a year in the United States. Schools participating in the Farm to School Programs purchase fruits, vegetables, eggs, grains, honey, meat, and beans for use in the school cafeteri.... read more >> Farr bill aims to get students to eat their veggies by Kurtis Alexander Published: Thu, Nov 5th, 2009 Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, is renewing his push for salad bars in schools through legislation that would require more fruits and vegetables on campus menus. The Children's Fruit and Vegetable Act of 2009, which Farr expects to introduce in coming weeks, .... read more >> Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Program Begins Published: Thu, Nov 5th, 2009 Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan says Americans are more interested in food and agriculture than at any other time since most families left the farm. To stir that interest and develop a national conversation, USDA has introduced a program.... read more >> The South's fruit and vegetable crisis by Sue Strugis Published: Thu, Nov 5th, 2009 You might not think it could happen in the region noted for a cuisine featuring sweet potatoes, greens, okra and watermelon, but a groundbreaking new federal report shows that no U.S. state is meeting national goals for consumption of fruit and vegetables.... read more >> Vilsack: For locally grown food, not against GMOs by Dan Looker Published: Thu, Nov 5th, 2009 Speaking to a group of food activists in Des Moines, Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack got a standing ovation after describing the Obama administration's efforts to promote farmers markets and expand locally-grown foods into schools, hospitals an.... read more >> Food Policy and Security: from Farm to Table and Classroom Published: Thu, Nov 5th, 2009 Food is at the center of our lives - the average American spends 1 of every 8 dollars on food and public policy plays a crucial role in whether that food is healthy and safe for our families. Disease outbreaks due to unsafe food, rising obesity rates and.... read more >> A White House Chef Who Wears Two Hats by Rachel L. Swarns Published: Thu, Nov 5th, 2009 Indeed, Obama administration officials describe him as a vital conduit to the first family. "How do I get to the first lady, how do I try to transmit ideas and messages to her" Sam Kass, said Kathleen Merrigan, the deputy agriculture secretary. .... read more >> To Cut Global Warming, Swedes Study Their Plates by Elizabeth Rosenthal Published: Tue, Nov 3rd, 2009 But if a new experiment here succeeds, she and millions of other Swedes will soon find out. New labels listing the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the production of foods, from whole wheat pasta to fast food burgers, are appearing on some grocery.... read more >> School Lunch Revolution Blossoms in Baltimore by Ralph Loglisci Published: Tue, Nov 3rd, 2009 Ralph Loglisci with the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future wrote up a fabulous summary on Civil Eats of the Baltimore City Schools cafeteria accomplishments highlighting: -Students' Cafeteria Bill of Rights -Great factoids, i.e.:A case of Maryl.... read more >> Halton: Farm to School program expands Published: Wed, Oct 28th, 2009 Representatives from the Farm to School Steering Committee, of which Halton Region is a member, joined students, staff, community representatives at a school barbeque yesterday at Gardiner Public School in Georgetown to launch the expansion of the Farm to.... read more >> Eating in America Still Unhealthy: CDC Published: Wed, Oct 28th, 2009 The goal for the Healthy People 2010 program is to get at least 75 percent of Americans to eat the recommended two or more daily servings of fruit and for at least 50 percent of Americans to consume three or more daily servings of vegetables.. read more >> Micro eco-farming and organic small farming: New school markets opening up Published: Tue, Oct 6th, 2009 The micro and small farming community knows that to make money farming, it isn't about growing more corn, it's about connecting directly to great markets. A brand new initiative will give $50 million for schools to buy local produce. Previous to this, the.... read more >> The Push to Get Locally Grown Food to American Children by Jenn Escalona Published: Sat, Oct 3rd, 2009 Farm to School programs can simultaneously fight the childhood obesity epidemic and preserve the livelihoods of local farmers all the while saving taxpayer money. . read more >> Thinking Outside The School Lunchbox by Jenna Johnson Published: Thu, Sep 24th, 2009 Lunch menus at several local schools are getting a makeover: Less mystery meat, canned fruit and sad-looking green beans. More fresh fruit, veggies, eggs, cheese and meat from farms just down the road. . read more >> Group promotes better lunches for America's school kids by Amit Pathania Published: Wed, Sep 23rd, 2009 30 million children participate in the National School Lunch Program therefore Eat-Ins are an effort to draw attention to the need for more nutritious food. The program is part of the Child Nutrition Act that Congress will reauthorize later this year.. read more >> Minestrone, and Three Other Things That Will Save American School Lunch by Deborah Lehmann Published: Wed, Sep 23rd, 2009 For some, the prospect of reforming American school lunch is dauntingly complex. But for one feisty Italian old woman, the solution was simple: "Minestrone!" she cried out in her heavy accent, interrupting a speech at the Slow Food USA Eat-In I .... read more >> Farm to School Activist Published: Tue, Sep 22nd, 2009 As an activist and organizer for much of his life, Chris Bedford spent a great deal of time highlighting problems. Meeting and filming famed architect William McDonough helped him see the value in talking about solutions and in making transfor-mational, s.... read more >> Farm to School effort launched Published: Tue, Sep 22nd, 2009 Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring announced on Monday that 11 North Dakota communities will be assessed for the possibility of establishing a direct link between local agricultural producers and school lunch programs.. read more >> School Lunch Punch by Editorial Board Published: Mon, Sep 21st, 2009 CHILDREN ARE back in school. For many, that means regular meals as part of the federally subsidized school lunch program. Unfortunately, it also means, too often, food that isn't good for them. We're encouraged that there is a growing movement to do somet.... read more >> USDA promises to help school districts buy locally grown produce by Tom Karst Published: Wed, Sep 16th, 2009 Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said new farm-to-school initiatives will help school administrators? transition to purchasing more locally grown foods in remarks about the just-launched "Know your farmer, know your food" initiativ.... read more >> Close Encounters of the School Lunch Kind by Robin Shreeves Published: Wed, Sep 16th, 2009 Onetray.org has put out short, to the point video about the changes that need to be made to school lunches. I don't know if the kids in the video get the reference to the mashed potato mountain, but most of us will.. read more >> Eleven NORTH DAKOTA Communities Considered for Farm to School by Associated Press Published: Wed, Sep 16th, 2009 North Dakota`s agriculture commissioner says 11 communities will considered for a program to bring food from area farms to school lunches. Commissioner Doug Goehring said the Farm to School program teaches healthy eating habits while providing farmers .... read more >> 11 NORTH DAKOTA Communities Considered for Farm to School by Associated Press Published: Wed, Sep 16th, 2009 Surveys will be conducted next month in the communities of Bowdon, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Grant County, Hazen, Jamestown, Mandan, Minot, Napoleon and Valley City to consider whether they can be part of the program. He says the surveys also will .... read more >> New USDA Farm to School Tactical Teams by Kathleen Merrigan Published: Tue, Sep 15th, 2009 Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced a new initiative to better connect children to their food and create opportunities for local farmers to provide their harvest to schools in their communities as part of USDA's 'Know Your Farme.... read more >> Farming our Schools by Jesse Kurtz-Nicholl Published: Tue, Sep 15th, 2009 As a Government and Economics teacher in a deeply urban school in California, I come face to face with disturbing daily realities. Recently, a 16 year old Latina student came up to me in astonishment and asked, "Are you telling me that a lemon is a .... read more >> School Lunch: Where the Real Weapons of Mass Destruction Lie by Hesh Goldstein Published: Mon, Sep 14th, 2009 The USDA needs to realize that there needs to be a sound program to deliver food, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, from farm to school.. read more >> Many regions have declared September Local Food Month' by Robin Shreeves Published: Mon, Sep 14th, 2009 Local restaurants featuring local foods and a fundraiser that will benefit the counties Farm-to-School program are two of many events that will take place in Humboldt County this September.. read more >> Local Food Month by Robin Shreeves Published: Tue, Sep 8th, 2009 As far as I can see it's not a national month long celebration, yet, but, I've been seeing lots of news articles about September being declared "Local Food Month." Here are a few places that are celebrating local foods this month.. read more >> Schools must lead healthy foods effort by Ann Cooper, Beth Collins Published: Tue, Sep 8th, 2009 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that of the children born in the year 2000, 1 out of 3 Caucasians and 2 out of 3 African Americans and Hispanics will contract diabetes in their lifetimes. As a result, that generation will be the.... read more >> A national movement of foodies, farmers, parents and educators is pushing for better school food by Dana Hull Published: Thu, Sep 3rd, 2009 Serving healthy meals at school is tougher than ever - most campuses don't even have kitchens anymore. And the federal government's low reimbursement rate - just $2.68 for each poor child who qualifies for free lunch - makes it tough to buy high-quality p.... read more >> Slow Food Eats In for School Lunch Reform by Jane Black Published: Thu, Sep 3rd, 2009 With Congress set to reauthorize childhood nutrition programs, Slow Food is asking Washington to allocate $1 more per student per day for lunch. The organization also wants Congress to establish nutrition standards for all food sold in schools, fund farm-.... read more >> North Dakota Farming News Published: Thu, Sep 3rd, 2009 Backyard Farming and Sharing in North Dakota.. read more >> School lunch options by April McCaffery Published: Thu, Sep 3rd, 2009 Do your kids buy lunch or participate in the meal assistance program, or do you pack them a lunch? Either way, here are some things to chew on as your kids prepare to go back to school.. read more >> Taste of Place Garden Soiree Advance Tickets Published: Thu, Sep 3rd, 2009 This elegant fundraising event runs from 3 to 6 p.m. and features delicious hors d'oeuvres prepared by Celebrations Catering, regional wine and beer and a silent auction. Visitors can tour the gorgeous Redwood Roots Farm during the height of the growing s.... read more >> Heirlooms With Taste by Jane Black Published: Mon, Aug 24th, 2009 My article on heirloom tomato snobbery created quite a stir. My electronic in-box was flooded by heirlooms' angry defenders. And by snail mail, I received letters with photos of their successful backyard beauties. It was even worse on Facebook, where one .... read more >> How Design Can Help farmer's markets Feed a Growing Demand by Alissa Walker Published: Sun, Aug 23rd, 2009 How will these local farmers continue to supply our urban demands- And there are many farm-to-school programs like the one in Santa Monica, California where the public school district has bought farmers' market produce for their salad bars for 11 years.. read more >> Obama to set up a White House farmer's market by Bryan Nelson Published: Sun, Aug 23rd, 2009 Not long ago, the first lady planted the first seeds for the White House's own organic garden. Now the Obamas want to expand the idea to set up a farmers market just outside the White House. One aim of the market will be to help local farmers deliver fres.... read more >> Oak Park district meals to have different look, taste by Lisa McKinnon Published: Sun, Aug 23rd, 2009 Urged by concerns about childhood obesity and the promise of additional funds for school nutrition programs from the Obama administration, many educators say the stage is set for change. During a recent School Nutrition Association conference, for exam.... read more >> Local food movement continues to grow in Lake County by Terre Logsdon Published: Sun, Aug 23rd, 2009 Even youth in Lake County get to participate in the local food movement. Both Kelseyville Unified School District and the Konocti Unified School District purchase some of their fresh produce locally, have school gardens, and participate in the farm-to-sch.... read more >> Progressive Eaters, Unite! by Courtney Helgoe Published: Sun, Aug 23rd, 2009 America's food industry is in the midst of a dramatic culture shift that's challenging everything we've been taught about eating. Here's how to take advantage of this exciting new movement and eat more healthfully than ever before.. read more >> A White House Farmers Market? by Jane Black Published: Fri, Aug 21st, 2009 Obama also stressed the importance of creating distribution systems that could link small, local farmers to public schools who want more fresh fruits and vegetables on their menus.. read more >> Farm-To-School Programs Featured On New NCAT Radio Show by Holly Michels and Jef Birkby Published: Thu, Aug 20th, 2009 Sustainable Agriculture Spotlight airs Thursdays at 11 a.m. MDT from July to October. This week's program discusses techniques to bring local food to lunch trays in school and college cafeterias.. read more >> Stars Aligning on School Lunches by Kim Severson Published: Wed, Aug 19th, 2009 The Department of Agriculture is expected to upgrade school food nutrition standards this year, many of which haven't been changed for nearly 15 years. And because many Obama U.S.D.A. appointees are focusing on improving student health through better food.... read more >> Community Garden Meeting Held by Stacie Gruntman Published: Wed, Aug 12th, 2009 The garden was also part of the "farm to school salad bar project" where a local high school would prepare salads with the fresh vegetables and sell to students twice weekly. All the money goes back into the garden to produce more food.. read more >> Time for Lunch campaign promotes slow food movement by Abby Chou Published: Mon, Aug 10th, 2009 Slow food is a way of eating and living that focuses on whole foods and local farming. One major supporter of slow food is the National Farm to School network.. read more >> Ristorante Italiano features local organic produce by JoAnn Saccato Published: Mon, Aug 10th, 2009 Leonardis' produce is available through various outlets including Zino's Ristorante, Nature's Bounty in Lakeport, Lake County Community Co-op's CSA boxes, Ukiah Co-op, Finley Farmers' Market and direct from the farm sales. Farmer Jim Leonardis of Leonardi.... read more >> Cooking The Books: Why We Need Home Economics (back) in Schools by Sarah Sliwa Published: Mon, Aug 10th, 2009 While there is significant and laudable momentum around school gardening, farm-to-school procurement, school wellness policy implementation, and improved nutrition for school food offerings, there are several unique reasons to advocate for home economics .... read more >> A lesson in 'farm to fork' by Eleanor Greene Published: Tue, Aug 4th, 2009 Summer school students learned the importance of locally grown foods last week at Paradise Canyon Elementary. Moira Beery and Emily Dwyer from the Farm to School program visited Marcia Van's "Cooking Around the World" class to discuss the agricu.... read more >> Local Food for Local Schools by Jonathan Pitts Published: Tue, Aug 4th, 2009 The Jane Lawton Farm to School Conference in Crownsville, a joint production of the state's agriculture and education departments, was a success once again this year. Last year, the Maryland General Assembly charged the divisions with promoting fresh and .... read more >> Insights by Goldie by Goldie Caughlan Published: Tue, Aug 4th, 2009 The National Farm to School Network, the Community Food Security Coalition, and School Food FOCUS are collaborating to implement programs that provide fresh, nutritious food to schools and a profitable, stable market for local farmers. Their project, &quo.... read more >> NH schools are learning to offer healthier foods by Denise Brewitt Published: Tue, Aug 4th, 2009 High-sugar items are being nixed from menus. Tasting events are offering students unusual fruits like plantains and kumquats. And communities are becoming involved with programs such as New Hampshire Farm to School, which helps connect schools with local .... read more >> Planting the seeds: Eureka parents propose the city's first garden school by Donna Tam Published: Tue, Aug 4th, 2009 Michelle Wyler, manager of Farm-to-School Humboldt, said the program Riggs and Smart are trying to start seems to be the first of its kind in the county. She said while there are many schools that integrate some curriculum with a school garden into their .... read more >> Podcast #16. OurNakedFood: The Farm to School Program Published: Tue, Aug 4th, 2009 Our Naked Foods interviews Debra Eschmeyer, Program Media & Marketing Director of the Farm To School Network, via skype. This podcast opens by emphasizing the climbing obesity rates in New Zealand, as is currently the 3rd most obese nation in the deve.... read more >> School Lunch Program: A Prime Opportunity to Serve Up Improvements by Aimee Witteman Published: Tue, Jul 28th, 2009 This year, Congress plans to reconsider the Child Nutrition Act - federal legislation that authorizes the school lunch program - and a grassroots effort is underway to improve the state of affairs in school cafeterias. Specifically, good food advocates wo.... read more >> PROJECT LEAN: Maximize nutrition by using local food by Joyce Houston Published: Fri, Jul 24th, 2009 The Community Alliance with Family Farms is best known in Humboldt County for its Farm to School program. This year the alliance has launched a "Buy Fresh Buy Local" campaign.. read more >> The Next Course by Jane Black Published: Wed, Jul 15th, 2009 The garden has been an unqualified success; on the first family's trip to Moscow last week, Russians were far more interested in Obama's garden than in her fashion sense. The challenge now is to craft a strategy to capitalize on Obama's newfound clout to .... read more >> Local Promotes Program by Angela Weaver Published: Wed, Jul 15th, 2009 Farm to school programs ensure that our children eat the highest-quality food available. These programs deliver food that not only nourishes children's bodies immediately, but also knowledge that enhances their educational experience and cultivates long-t.... read more >> Is your state fit or fat? by Catherine Holecko Published: Wed, Jul 8th, 2009 The "F as in Fat" report shows how states are reacting to the climbing obesity percentages. For laws enacted between June 2008 and June 2009, the report says that 19 states have passed legislation regarding farm-to-school programs, which can imp.... read more >> Obama Administration Begins Naming State Executive Directors for the Farm Service Agency Published: Wed, Jul 8th, 2009 Obama appoints Jim Barber as the NY Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency at the USDA. Barber is very active on agricultural organizations and co-founded NY Farms!, an organization that developed the Farm-to-School program which was later adopted.... read more >> Local foods galore by José Quezada Published: Wed, Jul 8th, 2009 Humboldt Community Alliance with Family Farmers was formed in October 2006 by uniting the Friends of Humboldt County Farmers Markets with the Farm to School program.. read more >> From Farm to School: The Push to Get Locally Grown Food to American School Children by Jenn Escalona Published: Fri, Jun 26th, 2009 Farm to School programs can simultaneously fight the childhood obesity epidemic and preserve the livelihoods of local farmers all the while saving taxpayer money.. read more >> It's Time for Lunch: Slow Food USA Pushes to Get Real Food into Schools by Slow Food USA Published: Fri, Jun 26th, 2009 Slow Food USA launches a national campaign to get real food into schools highlighted by a national day of action on Labor Day, Sept. 7, 2009. The national day of action will consist of more than 100 local Eat-Ins across the country. As part of the campaig.... read more >> Farm to School Opportunities by Lauren Ware Published: Fri, Jun 26th, 2009 The national Farm to School program is taking off in many parts of the United States! More and more schools are setting up programs.. read more >> Attacking Hunger at Its Roots by Hillary Clinton Published: Fri, Jun 12th, 2009 "The Obama Administration is committed to providing leadership in developing a new global approach to hunger. We will look to 7 guiding principles to support the creation of effective, sustainable farming systems in regions around the world where the.... read more >> Cartwright family art in Waldoboro Published: Thu, Jun 11th, 2009 Chelsea graduated from Finger Lakes School of Massage in 2006 and has worked with young children and for the Flannel Shirt Fund, established in memory of Joel. Through small grants the fund encourages children to grown their own food and foster farm-to-sc.... read more >> UCSC grad, thinking baby food should be local and green, wins $12,000 in startup cash by Jondi Gumz Published: Thu, Jun 11th, 2009 Not only did Olin have experience as a chef in New York, she knew about "farm to school" programs.. read more >> School garden beginning to take shape at Hennessy by Aimee Retzler Published: Thu, Jun 11th, 2009 Hennessy Elementary School in Grass Valley is taking a first step in helping students learn where their food comes from. Volunteers from Hennessy, in partnership with the University of California Cooperative Extension and Live Healthy Nevada County, recen.... read more >> The school lunchroom grows green by Yvonne Zipp Published: Thu, Jun 11th, 2009 From kindergarten to college, school cafeterias become ecofriendly by banishing trays, growing veggies, and composting waste.. read more >> The school lunchroom grows green by Yvonne Zipp Published: Tue, Jun 2nd, 2009 At a private school in Newark, N.J., students dine daily on ingredients grown on the building's roof. In Baltimore, city schools have their own 33-acre organic farm, while in Riverside, Calif., elementary school students trundle wheelbarrows of lettuce an.... read more >> A fresh classroom approach by Melissa Flores Published: Wed, May 27th, 2009 Farm to school programs were the topic of discussion at a May 18 workshop presented by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers that was attended by school officials, food service directors, parents and teachers.. read more >> Insider guide to Fort Bragg: 20-plus delicious reasons to go there now by Wanda Hennig Published: Wed, May 27th, 2009 Their biggest win to date has seen them turn several acres of school district property, previously strewn with trash and junk and adjoining Fort Bragg High School, into a thriving model garden sprouting abundant seasonal produce. They've trained about 1,0.... read more >> New College Announces Seven 2009 Fulbright Scholars Published: Wed, May 20th, 2009 Fulbright Teaching Assistantship to Germany A double major in German studies and anthropology, Lee Ellen plans to further develop her abilities as a language teacher while also completing a collaborative photograph-centered project in a German Eco-School.... read more >> Farm to School Program at Mountain Bounty Farm by Carlyle Miller Published: Mon, May 18th, 2009 At Mountain Bounty Farm, the long rows of broccoli and tomatoes are loving the warm weather. But vegetables aren't the only thing sprouting up at Mountain Bounty. This spring, students at Grizzly Hill School will also be doing a lot of growing at Nevada C.... read more >> Minnesota School Food Survey by Sam Hurst Published: Mon, May 11th, 2009 A new commitment to childhood nutrition, coupled with the re-authorization of the School Lunch Program this year, will increase the opportunity to implement a little-known provision in the Farm Bill that encourages schools to use "local preference&qu.... read more >> Rural ag forum tackles local buying by Shannon Sollinger Published: Mon, May 11th, 2009 Farmers are growing crops. Ranchers are raising beef and lamb. Shoppers are buying food. But they are not buying locally in great numbers. The fifth annual Forum for Rural Innovation, held March 13 in Winchester, focused on how to get the local buyer a.... read more >> Eagle Rock's 'Action Research Institute by Jeremy Rosenberg Published: Mon, May 11th, 2009 One of UEPI's many Centers & Projects is the Center for Food & Justice. Some of those projects include: Farm to School, Farm to Hospital, and the Healthy School Food Coalition -- each as straightforwardly named as Eagle Rock itself.. read more >> Best of Monterey County '09 Published: Mon, May 11th, 2009 When the Otter Bay Café opened on campus in the mid-1990s, it was similar to most institutional dining halls - the veggies were overcooked and, despite our unsurpassable local agricultural credentials, there was not a single local piece of produce on the .... read more >> Halton Region to host Food Forum by Anna Larson Published: Mon, May 11th, 2009 The Halton Region Health Department will host a Food Forum on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Country Heritage Park to begin a community discussion around food issues and community food security in Halton Region. . read more >> Study: Local Purchasing Pays Dividends Published: Mon, May 11th, 2009 A recent economic impact analysis indicates that Oregon's investment in purchasing locally produced foods for school lunchrooms fortifies the state's economy with dollars previously spent elsewhere. The study by Ecotrust examines the impact of investing s.... read more >> Gardening Grows More than Flowers and Food by Dr. Nedley Published: Mon, May 11th, 2009 Getting youngsters to eat what they grow is only one of the benefits attributed to the gardening programs springing up around the country. Leaders of programs such as the "Edible Schoolyard" in California and "National Farm-to-School Progra.... read more >> Locally Grown Benefit Concert 2009 by Tyler Suchman Published: Mon, May 11th, 2009 As in years past, proceeds benefit Food for Thought's farm-to-school program, which educates children about healthy food choices, where their food comes from, and the importance of good environmental stewardship. Food For Thought's programs are in six of .... read more >> Food for Everyone :: Resource Guide by Anna Stern Published: Mon, May 11th, 2009 People across the country and throughout the world are realizing that to confront the climate crisis and create secure and healthy communities, we'll need vibrant regional food systems. National Farm to School Network brings healthy food from local farms .... read more >> Baltimore's Geraci Grows a Hands-On Program by Jane Black Published: Thu, May 7th, 2009 Nationwide, there have been years of discussion about how to improve school lunches; this summer, the debate heats up again as Congress takes up the reauthorization of child nutrition programs that President Obama has made a centerpiece of his domestic ag.... read more >> Reconnecting Schools to Real Food by Tom French Published: Mon, May 4th, 2009 Chef Tom French, director of the Experience Food Project, has a broad vision of a new school food system that provides students with healthy food, reconnects them with the source of their meals, and builds bridges between the classroom and the kitchen.. read more >> Organic Wednesdays start at valley schools Published: Mon, May 4th, 2009 Carrots, cucumbers, lettuce and a host of other fresh organic vegetables from the Shumei Farm in Bonny Doon will be part of elementary school lunches on Wednesdays for the remainder of the school year in San Lorenzo Valley.. read more >> Green is the new black by Catherine Traywick Published: Mon, May 4th, 2009 Washington is going green. From Michelle Obama's White House vegetable patch to the organic "people's garden" that will soon span the lawn of the Department of Agriculture, our nation's capitol has jumped aboard the sustainability bandwagon and .... read more >> From Field to Plate: Farm to School Programs Take Root by Tim Weldon Published: Fri, Apr 24th, 2009 Farm to School article in State News, a publication of The Council of State Governments, Vol. 52, No.4, April 2009. read more >> Healthful Food by Diane Rehm Published: Mon, Apr 13th, 2009 Baltimore schools nutrition director Tony Geraci was on The Diane Rehm Show as part of a panel on sustainable food and Michelle Obama's vegetable garden. He talked about the city schools' 33-acre organic farm, where schools can have their own gardens, as .... read more >> Advocates brief Congress on food program by Ben Goad Published: Mon, Apr 13th, 2009 Rodney Taylor traveled thousands of miles this week so that the fruits and veggies headed to school cafeterias around the country wouldn't have to. Taylor, nutrition services director for the Riverside Unified School District, helped pioneer a national.... read more >> School Lunch Crunch by Sarah Mirk Published: Sat, Apr 11th, 2009 At a sustainable chili factory on the outskirts of Salem, several dozen school lunch ladies and local food activists are witnessing the creation of what they hope will be the cafeteria food of the future. Forget meatloaf trucked in from 1,000 miles away. .... read more >> Where Policy Grows by Jane Black Published: Thu, Mar 26th, 2009 Take the school lunch program, which Congress will review this year. Food activists have long argued that more fruits and vegetables from local producers should be included to help improve childhood nutrition.. read more >> Yolo County women honored at annual luncheon by Crystal Lee Published: Tue, Mar 10th, 2009 Six Yolo County women were honored Thursday for "Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet," the theme of the 22nd Annual Women's History Month Luncheon.. read more >> Small, Green and Good: The role of neglected cities in a sustainable future by Catherine Tumber Published: Wed, Feb 25th, 2009 One of MLUI's highly successful programs is Farm to School, which is part of a growing nationwide movement that connects local farm products with school cafeterias. MLUI links the program to a larger state initiative based on a study showing that helping .... read more >> The School Lunch Revolution by Kristen DeLeo Published: Mon, Feb 16th, 2009 By spending so much time on elementary and middle school campuses, I'm privy to the world of school lunches. Yes, tater tots are still being served. Ketchup is still deemed a vegetable at some schools. Change is good - but there needs to be a revolution.. read more >> Good people doing great things Published: Mon, Feb 16th, 2009 Yolo Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization, hosted the Yolo County Philanthropy Day Awards last week at the Heidrick Ag History Center. Ten Yolo County Nonprofits participated. Thirty-seven awards were given.. read more >> Memorial held for woman who promoted agriculture Published: Mon, Feb 16th, 2009 Sheri Rudd Klittich was involved in the Farm to School program, which connects local growers with the school lunch program, and the Ag Futures Alliance, where she worked to advance sustainable agriculture in the county.. read more >> Let by Sierra Club Santa Lucia Chapter Published: Mon, Feb 16th, 2009 According to Frances Moore Lappe, author of Diet for a Small Planet, "A study of 57 countries with about 13 million farmers has shown 50 to 100 percent increases in yields where farmers are using local resources and organic sustainable methods.".... read more >> Farm To School: A Conversation with Marion Kalb-part 3 Published: Tue, Feb 10th, 2009 In this final segment, Marion Kalb, director of the Farm To School program, suggests practical ways to work with food service directors, and others, to bring fresh, locally produced foods, into the school cafeteria lunchroom. Kalb shares success stories o.... read more >> Farm To School: A Conversation with Marion Kalb 2 Published: Wed, Feb 4th, 2009 Marion Kalb continues the conversation around the Farm To School program, acknowledging that added costs for fresh foods are a challenge, but also explaining practical ways to overcome some of those obstacles. Pointing out, in some cases, the cost of fres.... read more >> Farm To School: A Conversation with Marion Kalb Published: Wed, Feb 4th, 2009 Marion Kalb, director of the Farm to School program, part of the Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC), talks about the benefits to school kids, farmers, and rural communities when fresh, and local food is brought into the school lunch program for K-12.... read more >> Thornhill Elementary "shining" example of program's success Published: Wed, Jan 28th, 2009 Joanne Bays, the provincial coordinator for the Farm to School initiative undertaken by the Public Health Association of BC, visited with school staff and others involved in the program as part of her road trip to the three Northwest schools with salad ba.... read more >> How to fight America's obesity epidemic by Richard A. Daynard and Mark Gottlieb Published: Thu, Jan 8th, 2009 Public health, unlike the banking, insurance, or automobile industries, cannot be rescued or bailed out. Prevention is the only viable option. A sophisticated and aggressive federal approach to obesity is needed. Promote and fund innovative farm-to-school.... read more >> Aramark's Cool*Caf draws kids to healthy eating by Ashley Bentley Published: Fri, Jan 2nd, 2009 A new cafeteria format designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and encourage healthy choices by children is set to be introduced in hundreds of schools in 2009.. read more >> Mr. Diabetes(R) Completes 10,000+ Mile Walk of U.S. Perimeter by Defeat Diabetes Foundation Published: Thu, Dec 18th, 2008 Programs that focus on diabetes, nutrition and obesity are critical. Access to healthy food through farmer's markets, community and school gardens, farm-to-school programs and food cooperatives are just a few of the components to reducing the rates of dia.... read more >> Weak economy puts more kids in line for free meals, report says Published: Wed, Dec 17th, 2008 The sagging economy is taking a bite out of federal school-meal subsidies as more students take advantage of free or low-price breakfasts and lunches, nutritionists say in a report released Thursday. About 425,000 more students are participating in the N.... read more >> Choices 4 Health at work to promote healthy living Published: Mon, Dec 8th, 2008 These will include a Farm to School program to promote eating more local fresh fruit and vegetables. read more >> Halton program brings produce to local school by Tim Whitnell Published: Wed, Nov 19th, 2008 Halton Region wants to bring fresh, locally-grown produce into the area's elementary schools, and it plans to do so through the Farm to School Committee.. read more >> School Garden Teach Kids by Kathryn Nichols Published: Fri, Nov 14th, 2008 New school gardens are blooming in California's Monterey County with almost every year. Teachers and administrators are finding that the garden can be woven into just about every aspect of the curriculum, even history, cultural studies, foreign languages,.... read more >> Improve School Lunches with Locally Grown Food by Laura Weldon Published: Fri, Nov 14th, 2008 Connecting school lunch programs directly to local farms is good for everyone. Schools save money, farmers find nearby buyers and student health improves.. read more >> Local, healthy eating program launches for lunch by Steve Arstad Published: Thu, Nov 13th, 2008 The Public Health Association of BC launched the "Farm to School Salad Bar" initiative last Tuesday in a two day celebration.. read more >> AUSD prepares for new school year by Nancy Forrest Published: Sun, Nov 9th, 2008 State officials have commended AUSD for its quality food program, as well as its ongoing involvement in fresh produce and Farm to School programs.. read more >> Getting Children to Eat Fruits and Vegetables at School by Gayle Trent Published: Sun, Nov 9th, 2008 Researchers at the University of Maryland have announced initial data that shows school-based intervention efforts help kids buck a national trend by increasing their consumption of fruits and vegetables. To the researchers' knowledge, these results are t.... read more >> National Farm To School Movement Published: Sun, Nov 9th, 2008 If you're not familiar with the farm to school movement, it's all about getting fresh, clean, good food to our kids in school and help create new markets for local farmers. It started as a grassroots movement and has spread across the country. Get in on t.... read more >> Learn how to get fresh fruits and vegetables in local schools Published: Sun, Nov 9th, 2008 The event, for both adults and kids, will provide information on how to get more fresh local produce on school menus and teach kids about local agriculture. While adults are attending workshops, the children can have fun with farm and food activities.. read more >> Farm to School Program by Barbara Howard Published: Sun, Nov 9th, 2008 Interview segment from Blog Action Day broadcast featuring Anupama Joshi of the National Farm to School Network. Their programs connect schools with local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition.... read more >> Ojai film series focuses on food, agriculture and environmental issues by Lisa McKinnon Published: Sat, Nov 8th, 2008 Organized by Food for Thought Ojai, a nonprofit group devoted to implementing farm-to-school salad bars and other health-related programs, the series includes documentaries and short films that focus on food, agriculture and the environment.. read more >> Cultivating Minds: Food-Related Curricula Take Root Nationwide by Bernice Yeung Published: Sat, Nov 8th, 2008 Rochester Roots is one of many public school programs nationwide that uses food as a pathway to learning. The concept, popularized by chef Alice Waters's Edible Schoolyard and the Community Food Security Coalition's Farm to School programs, has been quie.... read more >> Homegrown helpings by Lauren M. Whaley Published: Wed, Nov 5th, 2008 The best response to an increasingly dire financial crisis is to take a deep breath and return to our communities, says the founder of Slow Food in the Tetons.. read more >> Farm-To-School Programs Grow Students' Appreciation for Locally Grown Food by Diane Raymond Published: Fri, Oct 31st, 2008 As farmers struggle to mitigate the increasing cost of transporting produce from farm to store and schools face smaller budgets and increasing concerns over the nutritional content of school lunches, some schools opt to bring the farm to the lunch table. .... read more >> Who has what it takes? by Harmony Groves Published: Fri, Oct 31st, 2008 Susan Ornelas is a long-time community leader and a firm advocate for sustainable agriculture and local food. I am very impressed by her work establishing our local Farm-to-School program to improve the health of local children and the viability of local .... read more >> School to open salad bar Published: Thu, Oct 30th, 2008 Mom may have told you to eat your vegetables at mealtimes and even maybe served fruit for dessert to raise healthy children. Now mom's advice is moving into the classroom for lunch.. read more >> Educators Hungry for Farm-to-School Programs by Isabel Cowles Published: Thu, Oct 16th, 2008 Rising food costs and increasing requests by parents have encouraged many schools across the country to adopt farm-to-school programs so that kids can get fresh, local produce, and see how it is grown and prepared.. read more >> Farm To School Published: Tue, Oct 14th, 2008 Farm To School has supported over 70 school garden programs and taught better eating habits to nearly 8,000 students. The Farm To School program is working on developing a workbook for interested parents to present to their Parent Teacher Association, to .... read more >> Farm To School Published: Tue, Oct 14th, 2008 A non-profit program called Farm To School is promoting healthy eating habits in school. The program partners with local farms, parents and school cafeterias to make eating fruits and vegatable the norm in a child's diet.. read more >> Lunches go organic in some schools by Associated Press Published: Sun, Oct 12th, 2008 The Academy is one of three Kansas City-area private schools that participate in Bistro Kids' Farm 2 School program, which is committed to improving students' health by offering lunches from organic, natural, locally-grown food. "It's really, really .... read more >> Kimberly replaces playground by Miranda C.R. White Published: Sun, Oct 12th, 2008 For the opening ceremony, Bob Knight of Farm to School, a program that provides local produce to schools, donated freshly picked apples. Knight also donated oranges from his Old Grove Orange farm for the volunteers on the build day to thank the Redlands U.... read more >> Farm to School Day is Oct. 18 in Watsonville Published: Mon, Oct 6th, 2008 Learn how to get more fresh local produce on school menus and teach children about local agriculture at Farm to School Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Crystal Bay Farm, 70 Zils Road, Watsonville.. read more >> Class Notes Published: Mon, Oct 6th, 2008 The Monterey County Partnership for Farm to School will host an information table about how connecting schools with local produce and start school gardens. The table will be at the Pacific Grove Certified Farmers Market, 5 to 6 p.m., Oct. 13 on Lighthouse.... read more >> Learning About State's Growth Industry by Jenna Johnson and Lori Aratani Published: Sun, Sep 28th, 2008 The farm-to-school program was created during the last legislative session to honor Jane Lawton, 63, a Maryland House of Delegates member from Montgomery County who died in November. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Jamie Raskin, (D-Montgomery) is calle.... read more >> School Foodservice: Get Smart - US Food Trends by Cheryl Sternman Rul Published: Wed, Sep 17th, 2008 As another academic year unfolds, school foodservice directors are bracing for what's in store: calls for more-healthful fare, climbing food costs and requests for more excitement and variety in the cafeteria. None of the challenges is new, but each is mo.... read more >> A new field of thought by Todd Guild Published: Sun, Sep 7th, 2008 Officially, the project is called the Community Alliance with Family Farmers' Farm to School program. Program coordinator Jenny Hansen, acknowledging that the name is a bit dry, let the students pick their own name. They chose "True Farm Invasion,&qu.... read more >> Fundraiser fêtes fresh fare by Sharon Letts Published: Fri, Sep 5th, 2008 The event is part of the monthlong celebration of "Local Food Month," declared as such by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26. The fundraiser will benefit the Community Alliance of Family Farmers' "Farm to School" progr.... read more >> Garden soiree at Redwood Roots Farm Published: Tue, Sep 2nd, 2008 The event will kick off Local Food Month and raise funds for CAFF's Farm-to-School Program. Farm-to-School hosts educational farm and farmers market tours for schoolchildren in our community, exposing them to the places and faces that feed them, as well a.... read more >> Eat Up, Kids, This Spud's for You by Anne Marie Chaker Published: Thu, Aug 28th, 2008 With the dawn of the 2008-09 school year, districts across the country are signing on to the burgeoning "farm-to-school" movement. As a result, a number of school districts have cut back on fruits and vegetables purchased from large distributors.... read more >> Farm bill funds bulk up fruit and vegetable programs by Elizabeth Larsen Published: Sun, Aug 24th, 2008 The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that nearly $49 million will be provided in fresh fruits and vegetables for elementary school children during the school day this year, in addition to school lunch programs. The farm bill amended the Richard B. .... read more >> Taste of Place Garden Soiree kicks off Local Food Month Published: Fri, Aug 22nd, 2008 The Community Alliance with Family Farmers announces Humboldt County's 2nd annual Local Food Month, a celebration of local farms, local food, and local abundance.. read more >> Organic grower uses orchard as laboratory by Elizabeth Larson Published: Tue, Aug 19th, 2008 Lars Crail of Kelseyville, Calif., isn't afraid to experiment with what he grows or how he farms in order to keep his farm both sustainable and profitable. . read more >> USDA Ready to Listen About School Lunch Published: Tue, Aug 19th, 2008 The best way to ensure that kids get food that is safe, healthy, and economical is by expanding farm-to-school programs. Schools are linked with local farmers who provide food for meals and teach children how it is grown. Children learn to appreciate th.... read more >> Agriculture and education: a winning combination by Kelly Cormier Published: Wed, Aug 6th, 2008 Successful farmers from Southern California stressed the important link between agriculture and education during this year's National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference that took place in late June.. read more >> Village Feast under the trees by Gloria Glyer Published: Thu, Jul 31st, 2008 The Davis Farm to School Connection will benefit from a slow food dinner, with proceeds providing for school gardens, farm visits for second-graders, school recycling programs, and seasonal produce in school lunch programs.. read more >> From Farm to School: Improving Small Farm Viability and School Meals by Stacy Kish Published: Tue, Jul 29th, 2008 Improving the nutritional value of school meals is a growing priority among school systems across the United States. In an effort to provide a solution for school administrators, the USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSR.... read more >> Village Feast by Don Guthrie Published: Tue, Jul 22nd, 2008 The Village Feast benefits the Davis Farm to School Connection, which supports programs within the Davis schools such as school gardens, second-grade farm visits, recycling programs and local produce in the school lunch program.. read more >> Using Our Kids to Destroy the Family Farm by Judith McGreary Published: Tue, Jul 15th, 2008 Some school districts are taking action to provide better food for our kids. The rapidly-growing farm-to-school movement has been working to bring local, healthy, and sustainably-raised foods into the schools and reconnect children with the source of the.... read more >> Report Tracks Anti-Obesity Efforts Published: Tue, Jul 8th, 2008 Lawmakers in 16 states enacted legislation to increase farm-to-school programs or to improve the nutritional quality of school breakfasts, lunches, á la carte selections or vending machine offerings.. read more >> Chef Proves School Lunch Can Be Healthy, Cheap by Eleanor Beardsley Published: Wed, Jul 2nd, 2008 At the school, he prepares meals for about 800 students, using all fresh, local ingredients. The introduction of healthy school lunch programs, like this one, is one major reason France has been able to curb childhood obesity rates after two decades on th.... read more >> D is for Dirt by Julie Flaherty Published: Mon, Jun 30th, 2008 School gardens are springing up like daffodils. But will they make children enjoy science, respect the earth and occasionally eat their veggies? An overview of school garden programs around the country and the work of Tufts' graduates to further the schoo.... read more >> Farm-to-school: It's what's for lunch by James Raia Published: Fri, Jun 27th, 2008 Gail Feenstra can't get the embarrassingly small sum of 75 cents out of her mind. This is the amount spent on food per meal, per day for every child in federally funded school lunch programs.. read more >> Tomatoes Join the List of School Inedible Edibles by Suzanne Guldimann Published: Thu, Jun 12th, 2008 According to local farm advocates, the current salmonella outbreak, and other recent food scares that have led the U.S. Academy of Sciences this week to announce that vegetables and fruits are the "leading vehicles" of food-borne illness in the .... read more >> Field trip leaves schoolchildren ripe with knowledge by Gwen Schoen Published: Sun, Jun 8th, 2008 They have seen produce in grocery stores, but never sold like this, out in the open by people who actually grow the food. It gives them a whole new perspective.. read more >> Let Them Eat Kale by Debra Lau Whelan Published: Sun, Jun 8th, 2008 Schools Get Serious about Nutrition: With America's kids in danger of becoming obese, a growing number of schools are thinking outside the lunchbox. . read more >> Talking farm and food politics with the candidate by Ari LeVaux Published: Thu, May 29th, 2008 As president, I would implement USDA policies that promote local and regional food systems, including assisting states to develop programs aimed at community supported farms. I also support a national farm-to-school program and am pleased that the Farm Bi.... read more >> WHS students get their hands dirty in internship program by Eric Anderson Published: Wed, May 28th, 2008 The Watsonville High Agricultural Academy internship program helps students learn basic agriculture skills and about jobs in the field, while getting an idea of what it's like to run a farm.. read more >> The Rise of the 'Locavore' by Pallavi Gogoi Published: Tue, May 27th, 2008 As many as 1,200 school districts around the country, from Alabama to Iowa, have linked up with local farms to serve fresh vegetables and fruit to children.. read more >> Lawmakers Push For Better School Nutrition by Amy Winterfeld Published: Wed, May 21st, 2008 Kids and local farmers all benefit when states support farm-to- school programs that make it easier to bring local produce to cafeteria tables. Making healthy food choices available to school kids is a priority for many lawmakers. You are what you eat, th.... read more >> Economics, ecology meet in lunchroom by Aaron French Published: Wed, May 21st, 2008 Today's children, largely due to poor diet, are the first generation in U.S. history predicted to have shorter life spans than their parents. And while Americans spend less than 10 percent of their household budget on food, we spend more than 17 percent o.... read more >> Costs hard to swallow by Ryan McCarthy Published: Thu, May 15th, 2008 Food prices, increasing more than 4 percent in the Unites States last year, have hit schools here. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the food cost climb is the largest since 1990 and that a similar increase is expected this year.. read more >> Teaming local food with area students by Natalie Ragus Published: Sat, May 3rd, 2008 Small farmers and school districts along the Central Coast may soon team up in a partnership designed to help bring local produce directly from the family farm into school cafeterias. While logistics such as pricing and distribution have traditionally .... read more >> Grant to promote local produce by John Arendt Published: Sat, May 3rd, 2008 A local organization would like to see Summerland-grown produce served at the high school's salad bar. The Summerland Food Action Coalition is applying for a $20,000 grant for its proposed Farm to School Salad Bar Program.. read more >> Thinking Outside the Lunchbox for Healthy School Food by California Endowment Videos Published: Sat, May 3rd, 2008 About 29 million children eat school lunches every day. The five foods those kids are most likely to see on their plates are pizza, chocolate chip cookies, corn, French fries or chicken nuggets, according to the American School Food Service Association. S.... read more >> 'Farm to School Conference promotes buying school food localy by Melissa Mecija Published: Fri, Apr 25th, 2008 Agriculture leaders promote a program that aims to improve nutrition in schools, and help the local economy. Organizers held the first "Farm to School Conference" in San Luis Obispo Thursday afternoon. The program encourages healthy eating for s.... read more >> Md. joins Oklahoma in movement to put local food in schools by Associated Press Published: Sun, Apr 20th, 2008 A bill in Maryland would allow that state to join Oklahoma and others in establishing a Farm-To-School program. The goal of such programs is to encourage the placement of more local produce on cafeteria trays. The program has twin missions of boosting .... read more >> Better meals for students by Cathe Olson Published: Fri, Apr 18th, 2008 Some schools in the United States are implementing Farm-to-School Programs to improve the quality of school meals and the effectiveness of nutrition education. These programs not only offer healthy, local foods to students, they provide hands-on education.... read more >> Local produce is good for kids and economy by Kim Pasciuto Published: Tue, Apr 15th, 2008 Children get almost two-thirds of their daily nutrition during school. By teaching better eating habits and providing fresh, local, healthy food at school, Farm to School programs lead to healthier lives for children.. read more >> Fresh Food Program Promotes Healthy Eating Habits Among Children by Stacy Kish Published: Thu, Apr 10th, 2008 Gary Cuneen founded the advocacy group Seven Generations Ahead (SGA) in 2001, located in Oak Park, Ill., to find local solutions to global environmental problems. The group offers a comprehensive "farm-to-school" program called Fresh from the Fa.... read more >> Farm to School Food Program Published: Mon, Apr 7th, 2008 School districts are trying to save money, boost the economy, and avoid food recalls by doing one thing: buying local. They're participating in the national Farm to School program. In 1997, only six school districts participated. Now, there are nearly .... read more >> Gross School Cafeteria Food- Go Organic! by Whole Earth Generation Published: Mon, Mar 31st, 2008 Mike Botticello meets with kids from Hawthorne Elementary, where the school cafeteria food is provided by local organic farmers. The program is provided by 'Farm to School' a organization committed to making sure kids eat healthy, organically grown meals..... read more >> Farm to School Lunch Table by Annie Bell Muzaurieta Published: Fri, Mar 28th, 2008 The National Farm to School Program, a non-profit that aims to connect farmers with nearby school cafeterias, has emerged to address the growing effort to get kids to eat fresh produce. The program provides schools with produce, meats, and dairy products .... read more >> Food program brings together schools, farmers by G. Jeffrey MacDonald Published: Mon, Mar 24th, 2008 The National Farm to School Program, a non-profit effort to connect farmers with nearby school cafeterias, is going strong. In 1997, only six local programs existed, but now nearly 2,000 programs operate in 39 states. That means about 9% (11,000) of the n.... read more >> Mystery meat for our kids? by Rebecca Clarren Published: Wed, Mar 19th, 2008 The Farm to School Movement has been around for over a decade now and according to the Farm to School network, 38 states now host such programs, involving more than 10,000 schools.. read more >> Provide safe, healthy meal options by Mark Vallianatos and Moira Beery Published: Mon, Mar 3rd, 2008 In support of farm to school: With increased funding and a renewed commitment to providing truly healthy meal options, we would face fewer nightmare scenarios of untraceable tainted ingredients, and school food would no longer be a "downer," but.... read more >> We chow down on a diet salted with mystery by Julie Deardorff Published: Mon, Feb 25th, 2008 One of the most important outgrowths of farmers markets, however, is the growing popularity of farm-to-school programs, which are popping up all over the country, including Chicago, Oak Park, Grayslake and the northwest suburbs. Some of the efforts lin.... read more >> Meat is a mystery to schools by Victoria Kim and Janet Wilson Published: Fri, Feb 22nd, 2008 Officials at Chino and other school districts around the country have little clue where the food supplied through the National School Lunch Program comes from. After this week's largest-ever recall of beef -- nearly 50 million pounds of which went to scho.... read more >> Renegade lunch lady saving kids' lives, one plate at a time by Fran Fifis Published: Thu, Jan 24th, 2008 Ann Cooper is on a whirlwind campaign to change the way kids eat in schools. "We're killing our kids with food," she says. Half of all the Hispanic and African-American kids born in 2000 and one-third of Caucasian kids will have diabetes in the.... read more >> Study: Kids Will Eat Healthy School Meals Published: Tue, Jan 15th, 2008 A University of Minnesota study that appeared in the Review of Agricultural Economics shows school lunch sales don't decline when healthier meals are served and that more nutritious foods don't necessarily cost schools more to produce. The study contra.... read more >> Eat Your Vegetables- Only at a Few Schools by Elizabeth Becker and Marian Burros Published: Wed, Jan 9th, 2008 A school lunch often looks like an exercise in fat loading, with a supersize soft drink from a vending machine, followed by a candy bar from another machine. The meal is more in keeping with one from a fast-food outlet than what the Department of Agricult.... read more >> Farmers Going Back to School by Debra Eschmeyer Published: Tue, Jan 8th, 2008 The move underway in America, to connect schools to local farms, will be the best educational and nutritional enhancement to public health and education in this century. By virtue of their educational missions, community-building potential, and purchas.... read more >> Fresh Food Nation by Cathe Olson Published: Mon, Jan 7th, 2008 Some US schools now make it a priority to feed students fresh, wholesome food, and are turning to farm-to-school programs to improve the quality of school meals and the effectiveness of nutrition education. Farm-to-school programs not only offer healthy, .... read more >> Things you can do now at your school by Tara Roberts Published: Tue, Dec 11th, 2007 Eat locally and healthfully. Farm to School connects school cafeterias to local farms. Instead of shipping frozen foods across the nation in huge trucks, which uses tons of fuel, you can eat fresh produce and meat from around the corner. More than 700 sch.... read more >> Study: Kids Will Eat Healthy School Food by Associated Press Published: Tue, Dec 11th, 2007 Maybe getting schoolchildren to eat healthy foods isn't a hopeless struggle. Bucking some common notions, a University of Minnesota study has found that school lunch sales don't decline when healthier meals are served, and that more nutritious lunches don.... read more >> Empty bellies -- the real issue in homeland security by Andrew Fisher and Mary Embleton Published: Fri, Dec 7th, 2007 At first glance, America's food system may seem exemplary, at least for those of us with access to stores and who can afford grocery prices. We can visit a local supermarket almost anywhere in the country and buy Mexican mangoes in May, Chilean grapes in .... read more >> Farmers, educators to talk lunch by Sara Watson Arthurs Published: Fri, Dec 7th, 2007 EUREKA -- Farmers, educators and parents will meet this week to discuss the possibility of including food from local farms in school lunches. Food for People is hosting the "Farm to School" conference, part of a national movement to make school .... read more >> Food Fight by Jerry L. Van Marter Published: Fri, Dec 7th, 2007 At it's Nov. 10 annual meeting in Boston, the Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC) urged passage of The Farm to Cafeteria Projects Act, which is designed to help schools create a healthy menu through grants to school districts to buy local food fro.... read more >> Lincoln schools to offer local greens for lunch Published: Fri, Dec 7th, 2007 With its own rodeo grounds and plenty of nearby farms and ranches, Lincoln might seem like meat-and-potatoes territory. But the folks who plan school lunches say the area's rural roots make it ideal for offering kids a lighter menu option - a salad bar s.... read more >> Educators talk about improving school lunches by Sara Watson Arthurs Published: Fri, Dec 7th, 2007 Remember the sickly green "mystery meat" of the school cafeteria -- how it had the texture of a well-used dish sponge? Around 70 people met at the Humboldt County Office of Education on Friday to try to come up with creative alternatives. School.... read more >> Fresh, local food for kids will have long-term benefits by Margaret Krome Published: Fri, Dec 7th, 2007 Given the chance, children gobble freshly picked fruit. My favorite volunteer role at my daughter's urban elementary school is accompanying children to the outdoor classroom during lunch recess. Kids enjoy planting and weeding, but no activity compares to.... read more >> Learning about agriculture Published: Fri, Dec 7th, 2007 The kids are plant and soil savvy because they are members of the school's Garden Club, which is one facet in a coalition between the nationwide Farm to School program and the Valleywide Community Alliance With Family Farmers (CAFF). . read more >> Parents learn how to create healthy school environment by Jennifer Morey Published: Fri, Dec 7th, 2007 About 40 parents interested in learning about or improving school meals attended the second annual Farm to School Conference put on by Food for People at the Humboldt County Library on Saturday. The focus of the conference was on empowering and assisting .... read more >> Strawberries' Spring on the menu for Ashe County Schools Published: Fri, Dec 7th, 2007 North Carolina school children will soon begin enjoying the fresh, sweet taste of locally grown strawberries at lunch as part of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services? Farm-to-School Program. Forty-one of the state's 116 school syst.... read more >> The Best Food For Our Children Published: Fri, Dec 7th, 2007 The Farm-To-School program operated by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Service (NCDA&CS) is good news for schoolchildren and good news for agriculture. This beneficial state program is helping to provide students with the b.... read more >> Farm-to-School teaches kids to eat right by Joy Agcongay Published: Fri, Dec 7th, 2007 Erik Zarco returned to the front of the line to get another bite of chard. "It's good. One more, please," he said. The recent High Ground Organics farm visit is part of the Community Alliance with Family Farmers? 2-year-old Farm-to-School pr.... read more >> The Farm to School Program by The Los Angeles Unified School District Nutrition Network Published: Mon, Dec 3rd, 2007 Farm to school program video: connecting farms and farmers to the classroom. read more >> Stirring up nutrition goals for farm bill by Nicole Gaouette Published: Mon, Nov 26th, 2007 Parents, nutritionists and physicians want Congress to overhaul the legislation, which they say promotes fatty school lunches, in an effort to fight obesity. Those changes would have a direct impact on Los Angeles children, said Elizabeth Medrano, an org.... read more >> Community Food Projects and the Farm Bill by Debra Eschmeyer Published: Tue, Nov 6th, 2007 Anyone who eats has an interest and stake in the farm bill. Passed by Congress approximately every five years, the farm bill is a giant piece of legislation that forms the foundation of our food system. It sets policies and budgets for everything from cro.... read more >> Weed It and Reap by Michael Pollan Published: Mon, Nov 5th, 2007 There's an important provision in both bills that will make it easier for schools to buy food from local farmers. And there's money to promote farmer's markets and otherwise support the local food movement.. read more >> EPA Announces First-Ever Ag Advisory Committee Published: Thu, Oct 18th, 2007 "Continuing efforts to strengthen relations with the agriculture community, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the establishment of the first-ever Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee. The panel is being formed unde.... read more >> Oral Health America Celebrates National School Lunch Week Published: Thu, Oct 18th, 2007 Good oral health and good nutrition go hand-in-hand, and National School Lunch Week (October 15-19) is a great opportunity to ensure that children are eating healthy foods for lunch. . read more >> Real food for real hunger by Traci Hukill Published: Tue, Oct 16th, 2007 One afternoon in 1995, Oakland teacher David Roach was talking with one of his high school students when he had a life-changing realization. 'She was feeding her child some candy,' recalls Roach, a slightly built 40-year-old with waist-long dreadlocks. 'I.... read more >> Somes schools, students make a hash of anti-junk food law by Stacy Finz Published: Tue, Oct 16th, 2007 "It seems that while kids were preparing to go back to school this fall, food manufacturers were busy re-creating their products - shrinking portions, eliminating trans fats and baking instead of frying - to make them meet the requirements of the.... read more >> Published: Mon, Oct 15th, 2007 . read more >> Federal Rule Kills Proposal On Farm Sales to Schools by Daniel de Vise Published: Mon, Oct 15th, 2007 State Del. Jane E. Lawton (D-Montgomery) abruptly withdrew a bill yesterday that would have allowed Maryland school systems to give farmers a small competitive advantage in selling food for consumption in schools and other facilities.. read more >> School lunch with more local touches Published: Sat, Oct 13th, 2007 Last week I took my two kids with me to a farmers' market. That in itself is nothing new. But for whatever reason - alignment of planets or phase of the moon - this time they were filled with excitement over the bounty before them. "Do you want to ha.... read more >> Beach Café promotes healthy eating at high school by Sarah Bates Published: Fri, Oct 5th, 2007 Featured as one of the leaders in healthy meal plans, Fallbrook High School strives to better itself by implementing programs which are both tasty and healthy. These changes have been the result in rising concern from parents on a national scale which led.... read more >> A Tamer of Schools Has Plan in New Orleans by Adam Nossiter Published: Fri, Oct 5th, 2007 Despite the two year anniversary this August of Hurricane Katrina, it is safe to say that the emotional and social impacts far outweighs the physical devastation caused by this natural disaster. As the new year starts in New Orleans, vocal school administ.... read more >> The School Cafeteria, on a Diet by Andrew Martin Published: Fri, Oct 5th, 2007 Due to Senate Bill 965, there are now tighter limitations as to what good food is and what junk food is. Ever since the banning of deep fryers in school cafeterias, schools have replaced formerly deep fried food for its baked counterpart, lowering meals? .... read more >> Mayor Hazel McCallion and Mississauga middle school students to harvest healthy "local food" snack by Diana Crosbie Published: Tue, Oct 2nd, 2007 <p> Children and families in Greater Toronto urban communities such as Mississauga are missing a strong sense that local farms are a big source of healthy food. They are separated from nearby Greenbelt farms, not only by miles of highways and roads .... read more >> School Food Should Lead to Help by Jennifer Wilkins Published: Tue, Oct 2nd, 2007 A familiar proverb claims "all roads lead to Rome." Well-engineered roads were a key strategy for the Roman Empire's military, commercial and political expansion. At the Community Food Security Coalition's Nation.... read more >> Family Meals during Adolescence Are Associated with Higher Diet Quality and Healthful Meal Patterns by Nicole I. Larson, MPH, RD, Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, PhD, MPH, RD, Peter J. Hannan, MStat, Mary Story Published: Tue, Oct 2nd, 2007 <p>An interesting study proving that "Family meals during adolescence may have a lasting positive influence on dietary quality and meal patterns in young adulthood."</p>. read more >> "Advocates push for school grown lunches" by Walter Yost Bee Published: Mon, Oct 1st, 2007 " Getting up close and personal with a homegrown tomato could help combat the high incidence of childhood diabetes and ...". read more >> Tory Pledge: Schools, Hospitals to Buy Local by GLORIA GALLOWAY AND DAVID ANDREATTA Published: Thu, Sep 20th, 2007 <span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px" class="Apple-style-span">Hospital patients, school children, civil servants and provincial prisoners would eat Ontario broccoli, apples, pork and everything else grown and raised o.... read more >> Watsonville by Matthew Sommer Published: Thu, Sep 13th, 2007 UC Santa Cruz students will be building a garden at Watsonville’s Renaissance Continuation High School this quarter and teaching the students about sustainable farming techniques. . read more >> Bringing the Farm Home by Sharon Letts Published: Thu, Sep 13th, 2007 <span id="ArticleControl1_lblBody">According to a poll conducted by California Food Policy Advocates, in Humboldt County, 42 percent of youths over the age of 5 and 46 percent of adults are overweight. The study goes on to state that unhea.... read more >> Green Food in the School Cafeteria: Is it Healthy? by Earth Talk Published: Wed, Sep 5th, 2007 Now that many schools have stopped selling sodas and other unhealthy vending machine items to their students, improving the nutritional quality of cafeteria food is on the agenda of many parents and school administrators. And luckily for the environmen.... read more >> Eat the earth by Loren Haar Published: Tue, Aug 28th, 2007 Remember school lunches? Those tater tots and ochre-colored hamburgers, the canned green beans and- what was it?- Chef's Surprise? Things are different now in Ventura County. Farm-to-school programs are bringing fresh food and nutrition education .... read more >> Program connects farmers to HSU by Cerena Johnson Published: Thu, Aug 9th, 2007 <span id="ArticleControl1_lblBody">This month, Humboldt County’s chapter of the Community Alliance with Family Farmers will launch a pilot program for local farmers to provide food to Humboldt State University.<br /></.... read more >> How does your garden grow? Published: Thu, Aug 9th, 2007 Students from Mississauga's Thomas Street Middle School will get their hands dirty next Monday when they travel to a working farm to plant tomatoes. About 30 Grades 6-8 students will visit farmer Lorenz Eppinger to help him plant his .... read more >> Program to Improve School Nutrition, Support Local Farms to Go National With $2.3 Million Kellogg Gr by Public Interest Newswire Published: Tue, Jul 17th, 2007 Building on previous success in several states, a $2.34 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation will make it possible for the Center for Food and Justice at Occidental College to establish and coordinate - in collaboration with the Community Food S.... read more >> Media That Matters: Good Food by Arts Engine Inc. Published: Thu, May 3rd, 2007 A number of short documentaries about food, farming, gardening, youth involvement, soda in schools and more! . read more >> Teaching Kids about Real Food by Umut Newbury Published: Tue, May 1st, 2007 School lunch is a serious matter for Alice Waters, a California chef, restaurateur and a longtime organic food advocate. In her newest school initiative, Waters has convinced the Berkeley Unified School District to include food as part of its academic cur.... read more >> Schumer outlines plans for Farm Bill 2007 by Eric Monnat Published: Tue, May 1st, 2007 Sen. Charles E. Schumer proposes farm bill for 2007 that gives farmers a voice.. read more >> Offering a Fresh Alternative by Richard Dymond Published: Tue, Feb 27th, 2007 For the past year, students at Jefferson Elementary School in Riverside, Calif., have had a choice at lunchtime. Along with the usual hot entree option the Jefferson Unified School District offers for about $2, for the same price children can choose a sal.... read more >> We get to eat the food! by Ali Bay Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 In the morning shade that surrounds Birch Lane Elementary School in Davis, Calif., the chirping of birds is replaced with the quiet clanking of hoes and shovels. A handful of eager fifth-graders has attacked a few pesky weeds and withering crops that have.... read more >> Environment Grants Awarded by The Republican Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 The New England Grassroots Environment Fund in Montpelier, Vt., has awarded $32,000 in grants to 20 community groups across the Bay State.. read more >> How a School Salad Bar Can Be a Learning Experience, Too. by Robert Gottlieb and Michelle Mascarenhas Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 "Picture this: Lunchtime for 900 students at Castelar Street Elementary in Chinatown, one of L.A. Unified's 430 elementary schools. Less than half the students grab fried tacos, while more than half line up for the farmers&#.... read more >> BUSD Wins Food Award For Improving Child Health by J. Douglas Allen-Taylor Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 Berkeley Unified School District has received a Golden Carrot—a top national award for food service—from the Washington, D.C.-based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).. read more >> Windsor students buying into healthy food by Nathan Wright Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 Sarah Lemmon knows exactly why she eats salad every day at school. "It's good vitamin C," said the Windsor Creek Elementary School third grader. "It will make me strong, and healthy, and smart." . read more >> Editorial: Nutritious school lunches a boon for Windsor by B.W.D. Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 To many of us who recall the offerings of the school cafeteria, nutritious school lunches would appear to be an anomaly. Stewed prunes and sloppy joe's hardly fit today's standards of a healthy diet.. read more >> Davis school program supports life-long healthy eating habits in children by Heather Graham, Gail Feenstra, Ann M. Evans, and Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 The school environment can positively affect students in areas beyond traditional academic achievement. An innovative program in Davis, the Farm to School Connection, sought to promote the development of life-long healthy eating habits in children and to .... read more >> If You Build It, Children Will Come to the Salad Bar by Mary MacVean Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 In the cafeteria at Caldwell Elementary School in Compton one day recently, not a single child was in line for the standard lunch of corn dogs and canned fruit. A few feet away, though, a dozen children stood waiting for the salad bar, where the line has .... read more >> Alliance introduces guide to locally grown food by Gwen Mickelson Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 Locally grown food tastes better, according to Liv Nevin of Community Alliance With Family Farmers. The alliance is about to release its first edition of the Local Food Guide, designed to make finding Central Coast-grown food easier for consumers.. read more >> Community Alliance With Family Farmers produces guide to fresh foods from Central Coast farms by Register-Pajaronian staff Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 The first edition of the Local Food Guide, produced by the Community Alliance With Family Farmers, is rolling off the presses. This free, 32-page resource is a guide to local food and farming in Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey counties. Copies will be.... read more >> Coffee House venturing to locally grown produce by Angela Pang Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 For fans of organic food or those interested in trying something different and healthier, the ASUCD Coffee House recently began featuring locally grown produce as salad bar selections.. read more >> UC researchers find farm-to-school programs shift students by Lynn Halprin Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 If given a choice of fresh fruits and vegetables, children will eat them, according to a University of California study.. read more >> Chef To Plant Health Garden To Feed Fremont's Students by Amy Bentley-Smith Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 Is it possible for an elementary-aged child to want a stalk of celery instead of a candy bar, to be excited about making a broccoli casserole as if it were Rice Crispy treats?. read more >> Gobbling Greens by Jacquie Paul Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 On pizza day at Jefferson Elementary School, most youngsters were more interested in lettuce, broccoli and strawberries. A long line formed outside the school's cafeteria as students waited to heap trays with fresh goods from the new Farmer.... read more >> Let'em eat salad by Josh Miner Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 Here are a few statistics from the California Department of Health Services that every parent should find alarming: 7 in 10 kids consume two or more servings of junk food a day, while only 3 in 10 eat the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vege.... read more >> Forums seek ways to put health foods in schools by Jeff Tobin Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 A growing number of parents, teachers and health specialists are looking toward fresh, locally grown foods to convert children from sugar cane to sugar snap peas.. read more >> No Kidding. School Food that Tastes Good by Diane Conners Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 "In 1997, when Rodney Taylor directed food service for the public schools in Santa Monica and Malibu, Calif., he juggled menu planning, orders, deliveries, and supervised the cooks who made lunch for 15,000 students. Mr. Taylor believed his finel.... read more >> Food-community ties put on the front burner by Sara Watson Arthurs Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 Eat local. That was the basic goal in a series of sessions Tuesday where farmers met with produce-buying groups and businesses to see how to get area residents eating more locally grown food.. read more >> Redman House to open stand by Roger Sideman Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 After a rainy winter, strawberries, sweet peas and carrots, those heralds of spring, are hot sellers. Organic farmer Stephen Pedersen is eager for this weekend's opening the Redman House Farmstand beside the historic home on Lee Road.. read more >> Pine Hill shows off salad bar by Sara Watson Arthurs Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 The new cafeteria addition is the latest in the county wide Farm to School movement, which aims to promote connections between schools and local farmers for both nutritional and economic benefits. Students will also be taking field trips to area farms to .... read more >> Fresh food goes to urban classes by Judith Gerber Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 The highly urbanized city of Compton might seem an unlikely place to find farm-fresh produce, but that’s just what elementary students in the Compton Unified School District find on a daily basis as the district now operates farm-to-school salad.... read more >> Farm Collectives Cultivate Ties to School Lunch Plans by Fred Alvarez Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 The Rodriguez brothers were ready to call it quits. After a quarter century of farming, the Oxnard strawberry growers couldn't manage to turn a buck anymore between soaring costs and sinking prices. Then they went back to school.. read more >> Students Seek Food That by Cara Mia DiMassa Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 The corner of Alvarado Street and Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles is a fast-food lover's paradise. A Winchell's doughnut shop shares the mini-mall there with a liquor store that also sells an array of chips and sodas, a frozen yogurt stor.... read more >> Farm-to-School bill in the works by Judith Gerber Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 As farm-to-school programs spread throughout California, a proposed bill to create a California Farm to School Nutrition Improvement Program is working its way through the state legislature.. read more >> Schools Cutting Back on Junk Food: Soda Pop, Candy Gone by Jose L. Sanchez Jr Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 Ongoing changes in food service at Petaluma city schools and a new computer system that will eliminate the stigma associated with subsidized meals should result in better nutrition, school officials said.. read more >> Farm-to-School Programs Promote Healthy Lifesyle by Anupama Joshi and Moira Beery Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 Picture a school food service staff strolling through a farmers' market, chatting with farmers and ordering the freshest of produce for the school cafeteria. A few years back, this was unheard of but not any more!. read more >> With a little work, there's hope for preventing diabetes by Liz Koch Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 For many of us, diabetes can be crossed off our list of possible diseases if only we are willing to take action. Prevention is the key. Easier said than done, prevention includes personal lifestyle changes and even more difficult cultural and social chang.... read more >> Go All-Organic! by Jeanne Howard Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 Demand for organic foods has been steadily expanding from what was an esoteric stratum into a demographically mixed consumer group—yet still only a handful of chefs in Monterey County restaurants are committed to using organic ingredients. In a .... read more >> Offering a Fresh Alternative by Richard Dymond Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 For the past year, students at Jefferson Elementary School in Riverside, Calif., have had a choice at lunchtime. Along with the usual hot entree option the Jefferson Unified School District offers for about $2, for the same price children can choose a sal.... read more >> Obesity war by Stacy Finz Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 There's a cartoon circulating among nutritionists these days: two really overweight parents -- one sprawled on the couch in front of the television with a soda resting on his belly, the other dishing up ice cream in the kitchen -- and their chubby.... read more >> Healthy eating puts money in pockets of Fresno-area growers by Robert Rodriguez Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 The federal government's new guidelines urging Americans to drink more milk and eat more fruits and vegetables are drawing cheers from many central San Joaquin Valley farmers.. read more >> Advocates push for homegrown school lunches Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 Getting up close and personal with a homegrown tomato could help combat the high incidence of childhood diabetes and obesity nationwide.. read more >> Fertile Minds by Shirin Parsavand Published: Wed, Feb 21st, 2007 To many students, working in a school garden feels more like play. Even pulling weeds is a break from the classroom. Their teachers, though, know they are learning all the while, about how plants grow and how to work together.. read more >> Farm Fresh Idea by Dennis Pollock Published: Tue, Feb 20th, 2007 Bridges between Valley farmers and school food-service programs aren't built in a day. But if a meeting this week in Fresno is any indication, some of the building blocks are starting to move into place — thanks to some on-the-spot conne.... read more >> Fate of ag bills decided by Ali Bay Published: Tue, Feb 20th, 2007 More than 950 bills slid across Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk this year, tackling everything from country-of-origin labeling and air quality to organic aquaculture and farm to school programs.. read more >> Local Food Program Focuses on Schools by Dale Rodebaugh Published: Fri, Feb 16th, 2007 Southwest Coloroda tries to create a connection between farm and plate in their community.. read more >>
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