This Week in Farm to School 

Farm to school connects local agriculture, schools, and partners to benefit students, educators, farmers, families, and communities.

North Carolina High School Students Place First in Southeast Jr. Chef Competition

Students from Durham Public School's Northern High School won the 2024 Southeast Jr. Chef Competition with their Crispy Taquitos with Chipotle Sauce recipe. Students were challenged to collaborate with their teachers and local school nutrition programs to develop a school lunch entrée recipe that adheres to national nutrition standards, includes at least two ingredients grown in their state and one USDA Foods item, and appeals to student taste preferences.

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Child Nutrition Programs Final Rule: Updates to the CACFP & SFSP Meal Patterns

Today! May 16, 2024 // 2 pm ET

Join the National Farm to School Network for a webinar with USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) as they provide an overview of the Child Nutrition Programs Final Rule: Updates to the CACFP & SFSP Meal Patterns. 

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Racial Equity Learning Lab Micro-Series

May 17, 2024 // 2 pm to 3:30 pm 

The National Farm to School Network invites you to join their Racial Equity Learning Lab micro-series, following the successful completion of their initial cohort. Designed to highlight key learnings and promote racial equity in our collective efforts, these sessions mirror pivotal aspects of the original Lab, covering topics like shared language, appreciative inquiry, and community agreements. 

Learn more and register.

How New England Collaborates on Farm to School Policy Towards 30 x 30 

May 14, 1-2 pm ET

A network of Farm to School and other food systems advocates in New England and New York have been collaborating deeply to create a policy platform and skill set that is now bearing fruit in powerful ways across the region. Recently, three states have passed Universal School Meals policies; five states have passed Farm to School and Early Childhood grant programs; and four states have passed Local Food Purchasing Incentive programs. Join FINE to hear the story of how these policies came to be, the regional collaboration that supports their development, and how these policies are working together to increase food access, local purchasing, equity, and food education.

Learn more and register.

Supporting Trans & Gender Non-conforming Youth in the Garden

May 22, 2024 // 2 pm ET

Gender-expansive youth represent a growing demographic of students who utilize school gardens and outdoor classrooms. Despite this, many programs continue to be built around traditional gender roles, from introducing classes as "Ladies and Gentlemen" to the ways that educators discuss the plants and animals in the garden. This webinar, hosted by the School Garden Support Organization Network, will provide research, resources, and information on ways to support Transgender and Gender Nonconforming (TGNC) youth in outdoor spaces. Starting from basic adjustments to everyday language, we will expand to challenge ourselves to create more accepting, welcoming spaces and lessons for our students.

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The Farm to School Podcast

Join hosts Michelle Markesteyn with Oregon State University, and Rick Sherman of Oregon Department of Education as they explore what it means to bring local food into the school cafeteria, and teach kids about where their food comes from.

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Math in the Garden: Hands-on Activities That Bring Math to Life

KidsGardening’s Math in the Garden book is available for pre-sale and will begin the printing process in August. This engaging curriculum uses a mathematical lens to take children on an education-filled journey in the garden. Its 36 standards-based activities hone math skills while promoting inquiry, language arts, and nutrition. Through funding from the National Science Foundation, Math in the Garden was developed to support mathematics and science standards and all of the lessons were extensively trial-tested by formal and informal educators and youth leaders nationwide.

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How People Power Local Food Systems

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s blog post highlights how recent supply chain investments were unique and pivotal in expanding infrastructure to respond to growing farmer demand, reducing costly wait times, and reaching diversified operations. Initiatives like the Regional Food Business Centers and the Meat & Poultry Processing Technical Assistance Program provide crucial support across the supply chain, aiding small processors and diverse agricultural enterprises.

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A Call to Right Relations & Climate Resilience in Food Systems and Beyond

Many reckon with the tragic history of what has been done to Indigenous peoples through the process of colonization and economic greed. During this session, Food Solutions New England was honored to welcome two Indigenous guests who generously agreed to share how one might honor the spirit of longstanding treaties and respectfully engage with “all our kin.”

Learn more and watch.

Talking to Kids About Racial Stereotypes

Canada’s Centre for Media Smart and Digital Literacy resource identifies practical strategies for exploring not only the way stereotypes are presented, but also ways in which race, culture, and ethnicity can be positively portrayed. 

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Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation Announces Two Grant Opportunities Supporting School Gardening and Wildlife Habitat Programs

Deadline: May 31, 2024

The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation is excited to launch two new grant applications. These grants, announced at the Growing School Gardens Summit this past March, will support the buildout and/or expansion of school gardening programs and wildlife habitats on school campuses. Eligible organizations include schools, school districts, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits that run programming in states where Sprouts operates stores.

• Sprouting School Gardens Grant

The Sprouting School Gardens Grant is designed to help schools create or expand their garden programs on school campuses with an emphasis on nutrition education. Grants range in size from $5,000 to $10,000 and may be used to support program operations, program supplies, learning tools, and educator stipends.

• Lundberg Family Farms Sprouting Habitats Grant

In honor of Earth Month, Lundberg Family Farms has teamed up with the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation to bring wildlife habitats to school campuses. With a shared commitment to creating healthier green spaces and expanding outdoor education, fifteen schools will be awarded $1,000 to build the wildlife habitat of their dreams.

Learn more and apply.

Beginning Farmers Stipend

Deadline: May 31, 2024

RAFI is accepting applications for the 2024 Beginning Farmers Stipend. Stipends support the success of Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers by helping to reduce financial barriers. Stipends may be used to cover farming start-up and/or production costs. Individual applicants may request between $3,000 – $5,000 in funding. Applications are available in English and Spanish. 

Learn more and apply.

Food Justice for Kids Prize by Newman’s Own Foundation

Deadline: June 11, 2024

Is your organization working towards food justice for kids in the United States? If so, this is your chance to receive up to $100,000 in grant funding over the next 2 years and deepen your impact! Apply by June 11, 2024, at one of the links below. They welcome applications from all eligible organizations, and in particular seek to be inclusive of organizations led by and/or representing historically marginalized and under-represented groups, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). The Newman’s Own Foundation is seeking applications from organizations working in two priority program areas: 

(1) Indigenous Food Justice (Apply here) and

(2) Nutrition Education and School Food (Apply here)

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Grant

Deadline: Jun 15, 2024

Using the RFSI funding, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) will fund projects that expand on-farm cold storage and packaging capacity, implement post-harvest handling, provide refrigerated trucks, and expand aggregator facilities." There is $6.2 million in funding available, and there are two application categories: equipment only ($10,000 - $100,000) and infrastructure ($100,000 - $2,000,000).

Learn more.

Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) 2024 Planning Grant Program

Deadline: June 17, 2024

The Reinvestment Fund is inviting applications for grant awards through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Planning Grant Program. $6 million is available through this program for grant awards between $10,000 - $150,000. The HFFI Planning Grant Program supports innovative fresh food retail and food retail supply chain projects that seek to improve access to healthy food in underserved areas. Grants will be awarded to support early-stage planning and predevelopment activities of new or expanded food retail or food supply chain projects that seek to process, distribute, aggregate, market, and sell healthy, fresh, and affordable foods to underserved communities and markets. Eligible applicants include for-profit, nonprofit, and cooperatively owned businesses, institutions of higher education, state and local governments, and tribal governments. All applicants must be working towards improving food access for underserved communities through food retail.

Learn more and apply.

A Deep Dive on the Senate’s Farm Bill Proposal

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition shares its deep dive into the proposals contained in the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024 (RPFSA). 

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