NYS State School Food Service Association is the professional association for the people who feed our children every day in schools K-12. They are dedicated to the health and well being of students and work in partnership with the educational community, industry and allied organizations.
NY Farms! is a broad based statewide coalition of organizations, individuals, businesses, agencies and institutions committed to the future of New York's farms and food system.
Since 1998, NYSSFSA and NY Farms! have partnered to bring more NY-grown foods into school cafeterias, as well as information to children and their families about local agriculture and where their food comes from.
NY Harvest for NY Kids began in 1997 with a Legislative Proclamation sponsored by the NYS Assembly Task Force on Food, Farm, & Nutrition Policy.
NY Harvest for NY Kids has grown each year with the support of the NYS School Food Service Association (NYSSFSA), NY Farms!, Cornell University Farm-to-School Program, the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, NY Farm Bureau, and many teachers, parents, and community groups.
In 2002, with the passage of legislation that established a NY State Farm-to-School Program, NY Harvest for NY Kids became an official New York State celebration.
Every year, more and more schools throughout the state organize events for New York Harvest for New York Kids. This fun celebration is an opportunity for schools and communities to learn about New York agriculture, enjoy locally-grown foods, and inspire healthy food choices. Cafeterias feature NY farm products; classrooms do food-tastings; students visit farms and farmers' markets, or harvest their school gardens.
