The New York Farm to School Program is designed to connect local farms and farm products to New York classrooms and cafeterias by integrating agricultural production, school food procurement, and school curriculum. The goal is to develop a healthy, community-based, community-supported school food system. As parents you are in a unique position to help.
Determine if your school is participating in:
- New York Harvest for New York Kids Week
- Farm to School
- Kids Growing Food
- Agriculture in the Classroom
Eat Breakfast or lunch at school with your child:
- See what the meals are like.
- Notice the atmosphere.
- Keep track of the time.
Visit you school:
- Determine what foods and snacks are currently being sold.
- Talk to administrators, food service staff, and teachers about the nutritional values of foods sold and served and if any is local.
- Determine who makes the food purchasing decisions and contact that person.
- Ask if nutrition education is part of the curriculum.
Recruit other interested people to help:
- Parents
- Teachers
- Students
- PTA members
- Food Service Staff
- Doctors and/or Nutritionists
- Local farmers
- Extension or Farm Bureau
- Others
Learn what others have done regarding:
- School Nutrition Policy
- School Wellness Policy
- School Vending Policy
- School Fundraising Policy
Set standards for nutrition and local procurement for:
- Vending machines
- Snack bars
- Ala carte lines
- School stores
- Fund raisers
- Athletic events
- Before/after school programs
- Classroom rewards
- School functions
- Other school venues
Work to improve:
- Nutritional quality and range of choice in the school.
- Kid appeal of school meals.
- Setting good examples/ being a good role model.
- Introduction of new foods.
Make connections to local agriculture:
- Visit a Local Farm or Orchard.
- Attend a Farmers Market.
- Outreach to Farm Bureau or Cornell Cooperative Extension in your county.
Encourage Active Learning Through:
- Field Trips to Farms
- Field Trips to Museums or Discovery Centers
- Farmer Visits to Schools
- Student Run School Stores
- School Gardens
Work to Broaden the School Classroom Curriculum:
- Nutrition Education
- Agricultural Literacy
