This resource directory is divided into the following categories: [ General Resources]  [ New York Resources]  [ Northeast Resources]  [ Other States]  [ Getting Started]  [ Farm Guides]  [ Buying and Selling]  [ Food Service]  [ Lunch]  [ Vending]  [ Breakfast]  [ Nutrition]  [ Health and Wellness]  [ Wellness Policies]  [ Surveys]  [ Studies]  [ Funding ]  [ Curriculum]  [ School Gardens]  [ Environment ]  [ Field Trips]  [ Agricultural Sustainability ] 

GENERAL RESOURCES

The National Farm to School Network is a collaborative project with the goal of strengthening and expanding activities in states with existing programs and assisting others that do not yet have programs. Please help us build our nation-wide network of people working on Farm to School. http://www.farmtoschool.org

The Farm-to-College web site developed by CFSC presents information about farm-to-college programs in the United States in Canada. Visitors to the web site can find information about specific programs, search for programs with certain characteristics and see graphs and charts summarizing key aspects of farm-to-college programs. Links to resources related to starting and maintaining farm-to-college programs are also provided. http://www.farmtocollege.org.

Community Food Security Coalition. A great resources providing support for establishing a farm to school program www.foodsecurity.org

Farm to College: http://www.foodsecurity.org/farm_to_college.html

Farm to School: http://www.foodsecurity.org/farm_to_school.html

FARM TO SCHOOL IN NEW YORK

New York State Farm to School Coordinating Committee develops strategies to build a stronger link between schools and the New York state food and agriculture system. http://media.cce.cornell.edu/hosts/farmtoschool/about.cfm

NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets PRIDE of NY: Farm to School
http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AP/PrideOfNY/farm_to_school.html

Cornell Farm to School, as an active member of the New York State Farm to School Coordinating Committee develops strategies to build a stronger link between schools and the New York state food and agriculture system. http://farmtoschool.cce.cornell.edu/

NY Farms! NY Harvest for NY Kids is a weeklong celebration that occurs each fall, when children, schools and families are encouraged to purchase, eat and learn about local food and agriculture. During this week many schools feature NY foods on their menus and plan activities with teachers, community groups, farmers and farmers' market. http://www.nyfarms.info/farmtoschool.html

FARM TO SCHOOL IN THE NORTHEAST

CT Connecticut State Department of Education. This site provides examples and information on School Wellness Policies, Guides for School Nutrition and Physical Activity, and Healthy Snacks. Resources and links available. http://www.state.ct.us/sde/deps/Student/NutritionEd/Index.htm

CT Project Farm Fresh Start-- In 1998, the Hartford Food System expanded its Project Farm Fresh Start from a special research and demonstration activity to a full program. The program has two goals: increase the purchase of locally grown produce by the Hartford school system's food service; and encourage young people to make high quality, nutritious food a regular part of their diet. You’ll want to read: A Guide to Increasing the Consumption of Local Produce in the School Lunch Program http://www.hartfordfood.org/programs/project_farm.html

MA Communities Involved in Sustainable Agriculture of Western, Massachusetts now has a farm to institution program. Keep updated on their progress. Farm to School newsletter subscription available. http://www.buylocalfood.com

MA NE Food System Partnership The TUFTS University Experience. http://northeastfood.tufts.edu/about.html

MA The Pioneer Valley Food System, a program of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Amherst serves as a resource center and clearinghouse for farm to school in Massachusetts. http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/%7Epvmafs03/farmtoschool/f2sindex.html

NH Get Smart Eat Local: A project to connect New Hampshire's Farms and Schools The NH Farm to School (NH FTS) Program is a project to connect NH farms and schools by integrating agricultural production, school food procurement and school curriculum. The goal of NH FTS is to develop a healthy, community-based, community-supported school food system. http://www.nhfarmtoschool.org/

NJ New Jersey Department of Agriculture. This website is a model nutrition policy put together by the state of New Jersey http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/modelnutritionpolicy.htm

NJ Jersey Fresh Information Exchange http://www.njfarmfresh.rutgers.edu/default.asp

NJ Programs and Resources for Sustainable Schools New Jersey Sustainable Food Network. http://www.globallearningnj.org/SSNprograms.htm

PA Project PA: Best Practices Manual. This is a comprehensive step by step approach in incorporating Farm to School as part of school wellness policies in Pennsylvania. http://nutrition.psu.edu/projectpa/html/bpmanual/BP_Manual_link_2.html

PA The Food Trust: http://www.thefoodtrust.org/policy.html

VT Vermont Food Education Every Day (VT FEED) is a community-based approach to school food system change in a rural state through a collaboration of three Vermont non-profits: Food Works, Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, and Shelburne Farms. http://www.vtfeed.org/

OTHER FARM TO SCHOOL/COLLEGE INITIATIVES

CA Healthy Schools Project: Farm to School, Ventura County, CA A Healthy Schools initiative. http://ventura.k12.ca.us/childnutrition/id5.htm

CA Improving School Meals in California's Schools: A Best Practices Guide California Food Policy Advocates http://www.cfpa.net/obesity/obesity.htm

CA Los Angeles Healthy School Food Campaign Action Alliance for Children. http://www.4children.org/news/704gse.htm

CA University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/cdpp/

CT Yale Sustainable Food Project http://www.yale.edu/sustainablefood/

IA Expanding Local Food Systems by Marketing to Iowa Institutions May 2002. With a focus on Iowa, four different programs linking Iowa farms and institutions are described in this publication.(PDF) (PDF)

IA University of Northern Iowa Local Food Project A Report from the Leopold Center, Iowa. http://www.uni.edu/ceee/foodproject

IL Illinois Farm to School Initiative Follow Generation Green through their development of a Farm to School Program in Illinois. http://www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/school-food.htm

KY Kentucky Dept of Ag: Farm to School Program.This website is an introduction of Farm to School by Kentucky Department of Agriculture and can be especially useful for farmers who have little knowledge of Farm to School opportunities. http://www.kyagr.com/mkt_promo/hort/programs/hort/farmtoschool/

MO Food Circles Networking Project: Report on 1999-2000 Activities (PDF)

MN Minnesota School Food Polices and Practices Simmone French, American Dietetic Association (PDF)

NC North Carolina Dept of Ag Farm to School Program http://www.ncagr.com/fooddist/Farm-to-School.html

WA A Salad Bar Featuring Organic Choices: Revitalizing the School Lunch Program (PDF) Written April 2003. An in depth report of the Olympia School District School Lunch program, which features an "Organic Choices Salad Bar" and purchases direct from local farmers. It provides an in depth look at how their farm-to-cafeteria program started, and discusses how the district was able to make changes to school lunch offerings and keep the program financially stable. (PDF)

WI Dishing Up Local Food on Wisconsin Campuses http://www.wisc.edu/cias/pubs/briefs/055.html

WI Roadmap to Healthy Food in Schools Natural Ovens Bakery of Appleton, Wisconsin partners with their local school to improve school lunches. http://www.naturalovens.com/Better_Health/Schools/index.php

GETTING STARTED

Buy Local Food and Farm Guidebook: A guide for campus organizers (PDF) Oxfam America. Report on incorporating local food into college dining operations, general information that is useful for the K-12 level as well. (PDF)

Captive Kids: Selling Obesity at SchoolsClick here

Center for Environmental Education. Explore our site to discover why it is important for our children to have a healthy diet and how you can help redesign food experiences at your school. http://www.ceeonline.org/food/

Center for Science in the Public Interest's Nutrition Policy Project is working with concerned citizens, health professionals, government officials, and other nonprofit organizations to strengthen national, state, and local policies and programs to promote healthy eating and physical activity to help reduce the illnesses, disabilities, premature deaths, and costs. http://www.cspinet.org/schoolfoodkit/

Changing the Way People Think About Food Center for Informed FOOD Choices http://www.informedeating.org/

Creative Approaches to Local Food in Schools and Hospitals http://www.localfoodworks.org/

Education for Change, written by Mark Winne of the Hartford Food System. http://www.foodsecurity.org/views_education.html

Expanding Farm to School Programs Create Opportunities for Farmers… Children http://newfarm.org/depts/talking_shop/1203/farm-to-school.shtml

Feeding Minds Fighting Hunger http://www.feedingminds.org/

"Farm Fresh Start: A Guide to Increasing the Consumption of Local Produce in the School Lunch Program." The Hartford Food System, 2000. http://www.hartfordfood.org/programs/project_farm.html

Farm-to-Cafeteria Connections Handbook (PDF) Published 2003. This publication contains information on Farm-to-Cafeteria programs for farmers, food service professionals, and community members. It provides locally relevant information, how-to ideas, and case studies of successful projects from across the country.  From the Washington State Department of Agriculture. (PDF)

Farm to School: An Introduction for Food Service Professionals, Food Educators, Parents and Community Leaders. By Alison Harmon. National Farm to School Program, Center for Food and Justice, Urban and Environmental Policy Institute. 2003. A 73 page manual for a wide-variety of audiences. Profiles initiatives around the country and places farm to school programs in the food system context. Available for a donation of $12. http://www.foodsecurity.org/pubs.html#linking

Food for Life: School Meals http://www.soilassociation.org/foodforlife

The Food Resource Action Center is a nonprofit and nonpartisan research and public policy center working to eradicate hunger is the United States. This website provides information about school lunch policy as well as downloadable informational reports. http://www.frac.org

Nourish Their Bodies Feed Their Minds is available at: (PDF)

Healthy School Food Policies: A Checklist written by Mark Vallianatos of Healthy Schools Campaign. http://www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/

Improve School Foods written by Claudia Malloy of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. http://www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/policy_options.html#ImproveSchoolFoods

Linking Farms with Schools: A Guide to Understanding Farm-to-School Programs for Schools, Farmers, and Organizers By Marion Kalb, Kristen Markley and Sara Tedeschi. Community Food Security Coalition, 2004. ($12 plus shipping), details the benefits, challenges, and strategies for building successful farm to school projects and includes case studies of innovative projects and a comprehensive resource list. http://www.foodsecurity.org/pubs.html#linking

Local Food Project: A How to Manual from the Humane Society of the United States. http://www.hsus.org

The Parent Action for Children is a wonderful guide in helping parents, teachers, and school become active in the fight to improve children's nutrition and wellness. http://www.parentsaction.org/act/nutrition/resources/

Pioneer Valley Food System: Farm to School Gets Underway in Western Massachusetts http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~pvmafs03/farmtoschool/index.html

Preemption Toolkit from the Center for Food Safety. http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/publicatio.cfm

School Food and Beverage Reform The Food Trust of Pennsylvania. http://www.thefoodtrust.org/php/programs/school.food.beverage.reform.php

School Foods Tool Kit: A Guide to Improving School Foods and Beverages. Center for Science in the Public Interest, 2003. http://www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/policy_options.html#ImproveSchoolFoods

Small Farms/School Meal Initiatives Town Hall Meetings (PDF)

Stir it Up America from The Parent Action for Children is an organizing guide to help parents improve school food in their own districts. http://www.stiritupamerica.com/

Stop Food Irradiation School Lunch Organizing Kit this (PDF) from Public Citizen is a useful organizing tool (PDF)

Two Angry Moms. Texas Agricultural Secretary Susan Coombs said that it will take 2 million angry moms to change the school lunch program. TWO ANGRY MOMS is a film in the making that follows leaders in the fight for better school food. It’s a movie. It’s a movement. Join the two angry moms and sign up to have the film shown in your community. http://angrymoms.org

WHY's Farm to Cafeteria Program World Hunger Year attacks the root causes of hunger and poverty by promoting effective and innovative community-based solutions that create self-reliance, economic justice and food security. WHY’s Farm to Cafeteria program was created to improve the nutritional status of America's children while providing an important new sales outlet for small and medium sized farmers. http://www.worldhungeryear.org/fslc/faqs/ria_063.asp?section=6&click=1

FARM GUIDES AND AVAILABILITY

Farmer-Chef Connection: A Guide to Local and Seasonal Products http://www.ecotrust.org/foodfarms/

From Asparagus to Zucchini: A Guide to Farm-Fresh, Seasonal Produce. A practical guide and resource for farm-to-school projects, with seasonal recipes and information on using vegetables. For a copy, contact: Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition (MADSAC), c/o/ Wisconsin Rural Development Center, 4915 Monona Dr., Suite 304, Monona, WI 53716, Phone 608-226-0300, Fax 608-226-0301. Cost: $19.00. http://www.macsac.org/foodbook.php

Harvest and Availability Calendar produced by the Farmers Market Federation of NY. http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/

Local Harvest. This is probably the most comprehensive national database to find local farmers and their products. If you’re looking for a farm near you using sustainable agricultural practices, you’ll want to visit this website. http://www.localharvest.org/

New York Apples To find a New York State apple grower near you: http://www.nyapplecountry.com/pick.php Or to find a large scale apple shipper, someone who can supply palate loads or truckload quantities for wholesale: http://www.nyapplecountry.com/shipperdirectory.htm

New York Food of the Month. This flier from Cornell University Department of Nutrition highlights a separate NY specialty food each month, gives nutrition and preparation tips and fun facts. Great for menu backs. http://www.cce.cornell.edu/farmtoschool/NYFOODMO.htm

The New York State Farmers Direct Marketing Association. http://www.nysfdma.com/

North American Farmer Direct Marketing Association Membership List: These farms specialize in direct marketing and belong to the National organization which promotes direct marketing. http://www.nafdma.com/

Northeast Farms to Food: Understanding our Region's Food System. Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG). Facts and analyses about the production, distribution and consumption of food and other agricultural products in the twelve states region from Maine to West Virginia. Copies are $10 each plus $2 postage. Bulk discounts are available. To order, email nesawg@smallfarm.org or call NESAWG at 413-323-4531.

The Northeast Regional Food Guide is a valuable table to identify products grown in the Northeast and their approximate harvest dates. This guide should be used as an aid to plan school menus around the availability of fresh produce when in season. Available as a 19" x 28" poster and/or a 8.5" x 11" two-sided flyer. Fact sheets are also available. http://nutrition.cornell.edu/foodguide/lists.html

BUYING AND SELLING LOCAL FOOD (FOR FARMERS)

Be Healthy Y'All. This website highlights market initiatives of the People’s Grocery, in California. Youth are active in the markets, which includes a mobile market of fresh produce. http://www.peoplesgrocery.org/programs.html

Bringing Local Food to Local People: A Resource Guide for Farm-to-School and Farm-to —Institution Programs. By Barbara C. Bellows, Rex Dufour, and Janet Bachmann. ATTRA 2003. This resource includes profiles of programs, potential funding sources, and an annotated bibliography. (PDF)

Farm to Cafeteria Connections: Marketing Opportunities for Small Farms in Washington State (PDF) Written by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, this guide is intended to help farmers realize the opportunities in working with local schools. (PDF)

Farmer Chef Collaboratives. Chef’s Collaborative is providing farmers with tools to help them sell to institutions. http://www.chefscollaborative.org/index.php?name=Farm

Farmer Resource Guide: Managing Risk Through Sales to Educational Institutions By Community Food Security Coalition and the Center for Food & Justice, Occidental College, 2004 An extensive compilation of resources that address the many different issues within farm to institutional purchasing projects, including how to approach food service directors, how to organize supply and distribution of the products, characteristics of different institutions, pricing issues, and several case studies of different types of farm to institution projects. ($22 plus $8 shipping) http://www.foodsecurity.org/pubs.html#farmerguide

The Green Book. This publication contains information about the regulatory landscape governing the sales of farm products in Washington State. It is a comprehensive guide to direct marketing strategies and contains an extensive resource section of organizations and relevant publications. click here

How Local Farmers and School Food Service Buyers are Building Alliances published by Debra Tropp this study is available at the USDA AMS. (pdf) This 32-page report describes lessons learned from a USDA Small Farm/School Meals Workshop in May, 2000, in Kentucky. It provides examples, checklists and resources helpful in linking farms and schools. To order, call 202-720-8317, or e-mail Debra.Tropp@usda.gov. (PDF)

Innovative Marketing Opportunities for Small Farmers: Local Schools as Customers. This site is maintained by the Agricultural Marketing Services of the USDA and is of particular interest to producers looking for alternative markets. http://www.ams.usda.gov/directmarketing/publications.htm

New Farmer Development Project The Council on the Environment of New York City/ Greenmarket is providing information to new farmers looking to enter new markets. http://www.cenyc.org/HTMLGM/nfdpfaq.htm

New Markets for Producers: Selling to Colleges A report from the University of Wisconsin. http://www.wisc.edu/cias/pubs/briefs/039.html

NRCS Farmer Direct Marketing New North Florida Cooperative Program http://www.ams.udsa.gov/directmarketing/publications.htm

Selling to Institutions: An Iowa Farmer’s Guide. By Robert Luedeman and Neil D. Hamilton. Drake University Agricultural Law Center, 2003. http://www.iowafoodpolicy.org/selling.pdf

Supplying Local Food to Educational Institutions produced by Communities Involved in Sustainable Agriculture (CISA) of Western, Massachusetts. http://www.buylocalfood.com

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has the following reports available on the Florida Trials:

Cultivating Schools as Customer in a Local Market: The New North Florida Cooperative USDA AMS

Progress Report on Producer Direct Sales to School Districts USDA AMS

USDA: Farmer Direct Marketing. This site maintained by the USDA is intended to be a resource to farmers interested in direct marketing. http://www.ams.usda.gov/directmarketing/

BUYING AND SELLING LOCAL FOOD (FOR FOOD SERVICE)

Connecting Growers and Food Service Operators: A Gathering of Participants in the Leopold Project (PDF)

Institutional and Commercial food Service Buyer's Perceptions of Benefits and Obstacles to Purchase of Locally Grown and Processed Foods Mary Gregoire, Iowa State. Iowa State Journal of Extension. http://www.joe.org/joe/2005february/rb1.shtml

Institutional Buying Models and Local Food Markets: the Iowa Experience (PDF) Published by Rich Pirog. (PDF)

Local Food Connections: Food Service Considerations. Iowa State University Extension, June 2002. Geared toward food service professionals. Local Food Connections (PDF)

Procuring Produce for Farmers’ Market Salad Bar Programs in Southern California School Districts. Nelson, Thomas. February, 2001. (PDF)

Wisconsin Homegrown Lunch Project http://www.reapfoodgroup.org/farmtoschool/

FOOD SERVICE

Eating at School. A report written by Martha Conklin of National Food Service Management Institute http://www.nfsmi.org/Information/eating_at_school.pdf

Farmer's Market Salad Bar http://departments.oxy.edu/uepi/cfj/resources/farmtoschool01cover.pdf

Food Industry Research Center "The Food Service Director" for chefs from the Culinary Institute of America. Cooking tips, buying guides. http://www.foodservicetoday.com

Fruits and Vegetable Galore: To Help Schools Encourage Kids to Eat More Fruit and Vegetables http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn

Healthy School Meals Resource System offers recipes and menus, as well as links to expert chef’s ideas and chefs in your area who are interested in partnering with kids organizations. http://schoolmeals.nal.usda.gov/index.html

How to Develop a Salad Bar for School Lunch Menu Programs Written by Wendy Slusser, School of Pulbic Health UCLA. http://www.farmtoschool.org/ca/SaladBarDev.pdf

Local Food Connections: Food Service Considerations. Iowa State University looks at incorporating local food in the school lunch. http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1853C.pdf

National School Lunch Program. This website is designed to help Food Service Professionals evaluate nutrition standards required of the National School Lunch Program. http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch/default.htm

Nutritional Assessment of Foods Sold in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Schools. WestEd. 2000. (PDF)

LUNCH

Appleton Central Alternative School of Appleton, WI in Partnership with Natural Ovens Bakery of Manitowoc, WI has put together a 14-minute film about the effects of changing the school’s lunch program. The website also has links to research and curriculum created by this program. http://www.naturalovens.com/Better_Health/Schools/index.php

Chef Ann Cooper is a "renegade lunch lady" who helps schools restructure their meal programs to offer more locally grown, sustainable, healthy foods. Her website contains links, information about her work and how to contact her. www.chefann.com

Eat Right Now In the fall of 2002 Calhoun hired Chef Bobo from the French Culinary Institute to revamp the school’s lunch program. Dubbed "Eat Right Now", Calhouns lunch program is aimed at providing students with healthier meals, while building deep understanding of the importance of a well-balanced diet. http://www.calhoun.org/page.cfm?p=48

Jamie Oliver has been a UK champion for improving school lunches. http://www.feedmebetter.com

Lunch Lessons. Ann Cooper incorporates education and nutrition making the cafeteria a classroom See how: http://www.lunchlessons.org/html/meal_wheel.html

New York City School Food’s homepage. http://www.opt-osfns.org/osfns/default.aspx

New York Coalition for Healthy School Lunches works to promote optional plant-based entrees, healthy snack foods, farm to school programs, and nutrition education to encourage healthier choices. http://www.healthylunches.org/

Rethinking School Lunch The Center for Ecoliteracy presents a comprehensive guide, Rethinking School Lunch, for revamping school lunch programs by addressing issues of health, education, and wellbeing. Also available on the website is the Thinking Outside the Lunchbox series, an ongoing collection of lectures extending the scope of the Rethinking School Lunch guide. http://www.ecoliteracy.org/programs/rsl.html

Safe Lunch is what parents want for their children. Check out this Food and Water Watch website to discover the hidden dangers which may be illuminating in your child’s school lunch. http://foodandwaterwatch.org/food/usfoodirradiation/school-lunch-1

School Food: Feed Your Mind NYC Department of Education takes a look at school lunches. http://www.opt-osfns.org/osfns/default.aspx

SchoolFood Plus’s goal is to improve the eating habits, health and academic performance of New York City public schoolchildren while strengthening the New York State agricultural economy through the procurement of local, regional produce. http://www.foodchange.org/nutrition/schoolfood.html

School Foods Took Kit: A Guide to Improving School Food and Beverages Center for Science in the Public Interest takes a look at school lunches. http://www.cspinet.org/schoolfoodkit/

Slow Food. Slow Food in Schools helps children develop an appreciation for real, wholesome food and an understanding of sustainable food practices http://www.slowfoodusa.org/

Smart Yet Satisfying! Healthy Eating at School: Ten Steps for Parents A Useful checklist from the USDA FNS for parents to evaluate their child’s lunch. http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Parents/lunch.html

VENDING

The National Conference of State Legislatures has produced a website, looking at the issue of vending machines in schools. It documents each state’s policies and activities related to vending machines. http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/vending.htm

Stonyfield has created the country's first organic and all-natural healthy vending machine program in schools, in partnership with nutrition educators, school administrators, parents, students, and other food companies. Click Here

BREAKFAST

Academics and Breakfast Connection Pilot (ABC) A Report of the Nutrition Consortium of New York State http://www.HungerNYS.org

School Breakfast Report a study of the Food Research and Action Center http://www.frac.org/School_Breakfast_Report/2004/index.html

NUTRITION

5 a Day the Color Way from The Produce for Better Health Foundation has http://www.5aday.org/

American Dietetic Association (ADA) Statement on Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Legislation Click Here

The American Heart Association takes a look at nutrition is its website Healthy Americans: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1088

Changing the Scene: Improving the School Nutrition Environment http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Healthy/changing.html

Community Nutrition. The USDA Agricultural Resource Service explores community nutrition, including school communities. Click Here

The Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) at the National Agricultural Library (NAL) has been a leader in food and human nutrition information dissemination since 1971. FNIC's web site provides a directory to credible, accurate, and practical resources for consumers, nutrition and health professionals, educators and government personnel. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/ Food Service resource listings from Food and Nutrition Information Center. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/service/

Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA provides children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education. We help nearly one in five people. Check out our programs to see if we can help you or your family. http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/

Food Research and Action Center Working to meet the nutritional needs of low income individuals. http://www.frac.org

The Healthy School Meals Resource System (HSMRS) provides information to persons working in USDA's Child Nutrition Programs. To learn more about the HSMRS, Team Nutrition and how to borrow school food service publications from National Agricultural Library (NAL), see Framework & History http://schoolmeals.nal.usda.gov/index.html

MyPyramid Plan can help you choose the foods and amounts that are right for you. For a quick estimate of what and how much you need to eat, enter your age, sex, and activity level in the MyPyramid Plan box. One size doesn't fit all. http://www.mypyramid.gov/

National Food Service Management Institute mission is to provide information and services that promote the continuous improvement of Child Nutrition Programs. http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/nfsmi/

Noteworthy Creations has developed this website: Our mission is to help children, parents, and educators discover good nutrition together through fun, educational, hands-on activities that bring about life-long learning and good health. http://www.funwithfood.com/

Nutrition Exploration produced by the Connecticut Department of Education. Click Here

Nutrition Exploration produced by the National Dairy Council encourages dairy as a part of well balanced nutrition program. http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/index.asp

Nutrition for Kids. How to Teach Nutrition to Kids by 24 Carrot Press available for purchase from this site. FREE Feeding Kids Newsletter. You'll also find lots of useful tips and quick updates. http://nutritionforkids.com/

NY Apple Association has health brochures, signs, and more available promoting apples. To see what's available click here

School Environment: Helping Students Learn to Eat Healthy This is a brochure available from the USDA FNS. http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/sebrochure.pdf

The School Nutrition Association (formerly American School Food Service Association) is a national, nonprofit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country. http://www.schoolnutrition.org/

Smart Mouth. You guessed it!, A website just for teens. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has created a wonderfully interactive website to teach teens about good nutrition. http://www.cspinet.org/smartmouth/index1.html

Smart Nutrition Starts Here: http://Nutrition.gov/

TEAM Nutrition, a USDA initiative, is designed as an implementation tool to improve school meals and motivate children to make food choices for a healthy diet. Resources include nutrition education materials for school and home as well as recipes that meet the Dietary Guidelines. http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/

USDA Child Nutrition Home Page http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/

HEALTH and WELLNESS in SCHOOLS

Action for Healthy Kids A step by step approach to your wellness plan. Click Here

California Project Lean. Policy guides and community tool kits to help improve the school nutrition and physical activity environment. Included are a series of policy briefs on critical issues that affect the school nutrition and physical activity environment. These resources were developed for use with adolescents, teachers, school administrators and community members. http://www.californiaprojectlean.org/resourcelibrary/

The Center for Advanced Studies in Nutrition and Social Marketing in collaboration with the Cancer Prevention Nutrition Section, developed a compilation of tools to measure environmental factors, including health and nutrition related surveys for children and adults. Click Here

Eat Smart New York: Project Evaluation. Cornell University Community and Rural Development Initiative takes a look at NY’s Eat Smart Program. Click Here

Eat Smart Play Hard an initiative of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service http://www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhard/

Eat Well Play Hard an initiative of the New York’s Department of Health Click Here

Healthy Students + Health Schools= Educational Success a website of the New York Statewide Center for Healthy Schools http://www.nyshealthyschools.org/palliance.asp

Healthy Schools The National Association of State Boards of Education helps school administrators evaluate their schools. http://www.nasbe.org/

National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity (NANA) is a member based coalition headquartered at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. It advocates national policies and programs to promote healthy eating and physical activity to help reduce the illnesses, disabilities, premature deaths, and costs caused by diet- and inactivity-related diseases such as heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

NANA promotes within the legislative and executive branches of government a better understanding of the importance of healthy eating, and physical activity. http://www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/nana.html

The National PTA supports student wellness. Click Here

Our Gut, Food, and Illnesses. This website from the E.C.H.O. Foundation explores the relationships between good food and good health. This website encourages a proactive approach to wellness. http://www.theechofoundation.com/ourgutfoodandillness.htm

School Health Index by NYS AHPERD http://www.nysahperd.org/index.htm

Statewide Center for Healthy Schools. This site encourages physical activity in addition to good nutrition for student well being. http://www.nyshealthyschools.org/

FOOD AND WELLNESS POLICIES

ADA (American Dietetic Association) Wellness Policy Click Here

Establishing a Whole School Food Policy British Nutrition Foundation has written this guide particularly for school administrators. (PDF)

Food Research and Action Center Outreach Brochure. Designed to Encourage More Parents to Get Involved in the Creation of Local Wellness Policiehttp://www.frac.org/html/news/parent_brochure06.html

Healthy Food Policy Resource Guide developed by the California School Board Association http://www.csba.org/PS/hf.htm

Healthy Schools: Local Wellness Policy a website of the USDA Food Nutrition Service (FNS) http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Healthy/wellnesspolicy.html

Model School Food Policy: A Practical Guide Alliance for Better Food and Farming. http://www.sustainweb.org/g5fp/index.htm

Model Wellness Policy Guide by the Center for Ecoliteracy to assist community members in writing wellness policies.http://www.ecoliteracy.org/programs/wellness_policy.html

Model School Wellness Policies of the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity http://www.schoolwellnesspolicies.org

Project PA: Best Practices Manual a comprehensive guide by Penn State University Click Here

School Wellness Policies examples by the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity http://schoolwellnesspolicies.org

SURVEYS

Sample Survey for Farmers Exploring their Involvement in Farm to School Projects Developed by the National farm to School Program Click Here

Sample Survey for School Food Service Staff developed by the National Farm to School Program http://www.farmtoschool.org/sample_fsd_interview.htm

School survey to evaluate school's nutrition needs. Developed by Food for People, Eureka, CA.

Curricular Resources on Gardening, Cooking, Nutrition and the Food System (PDF)

CASE STUDIES

A Case Study of The Davis Farmers’ Market: Connecting Farms and Community. Podoll, Heather. UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. March, 2000. http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/cdpp/Davis.htm

Cooking With Kids Case Study. Thonney, Patricia and Erica Reinhardt. Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University 2004. ((PDF))

The Crunch Lunch Manual: A case study of the Davis Joint Unified School District Farmers Market Salad Bar Pilot Program and A fiscal Analysis Model. Brillinger, Renata, Jeri Ohmart and Gail Feenstra. University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, March 2003. http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/cdpp/farmtoschool

Direct Marketing to Schools; A New Opportunity for Family Farmers. Ohmart, Jeri L. . UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. July, 2002. Http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/CDPP/directmarketingtoschool.htm

Farm to School: Case Studies and Resources for Success. Harmon, Alison . 2004. (PDF)

Florida Farm to School Project Case Study. Kalb, Marion. Community Food Security Coalition. 2002.(PDF)

Fresh From the Farm and Into the Classroom. Haase, Margaret, Andrea Azuma, Robert Gottlieb, and Mark Vallianatos. The Center for Food and Justice. January 2004. (PDF)

Healdsburg Unified School District's Farm to School program Case Study. Kalb, Marion. Community Food Security Coalition. 2002. (PDF)

Healthy Farms, Healthy Kids: Evaluating the Barriers and Opportunities for Farm to School Programs. By Andrea Misako Azuma and Andrew Fisher. Community Food Security Coalition, 2001, 64pp. A report on the background and history of farm-to-school programs in the USA Provides case studies of programs at the K-12 level and includes policy recommendations. Can be ordered for $12 plus s/h. Available through the Community Food Security Coalition 310-822-5410 http://www.foodsecurity.org/pubs.html For more information, contact Marion Kalb, CFSC's National Farm-to-School Program Director at (530) 756-8518 ext. 32 or marion@foodsecurity.org.

New Mexico Farm to School case study, by Marion Kalb. 2002. (PDF) (PDF)

The Oklahoma Farm-to-School Report 2003 includes the survey, a question-by-question analysis of survey results along with information on farm-to-school programs around the country, an Oklahoma nutrition profile, and a list of food crops produced in Oklahoma. (PDF) http://www.kerrcenter.com/kerrweb.ofpc/farmtoschool.htm

A Salad Bar Featuring Organic Choices: Revitalizing the School Lunch Program . Flock, Paul, Cheryl Petra, Vanessa Ruddy, Joseph Peterangelo. Olympia School District. April 2003. (PDF) (PDF)

Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District's Farmers Market Salad Bar Case Study. Kalb, Marion. Community Food Security Coalition. 2002. (PDF)

FEASIBILITY STUDIES

The Little Green Schoolhouse: Thinking Big About Ecological Sustainability, Children's Environmental Health and K-12 Education in the USA. Green Schools Initiative, Joshua Karliner. February 2005. http://www.greenschools.net/report/index.html

The San Francisco Farm-to-School Report: Results from the 2003 Feasibility Study. Rimkus, Rimkus, Paula Jones, and Fernando Ona. San Francisco Food Systems. January 2004. (PDF)

Smart Food: An assessment of Farm-to-School opportunities for schools and the schoolchildren of Monterey County. Hester Parker, Ph.D. Luis Miguel Sierra, Keith Vandevere. 2003. (PDF)

EVALUATION STUDIES

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Salad Bar Program in the Los Angeles School District. Slusser, Wendy , MD, MS, Charlotte Neumann, MD, MPH, Linda Lange, DRPH, RN. School of Public Health University of California, Los Angeles. 1998. (PDF)

Evaluation of the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program: Report to Congress. Jean C. Buzby, Joanne F. Guthrie, and Linda S. Kantor. Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program, Food and Rural Economics Division, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. May, 2003. (PDF)

Giving Children a Role in Sustainable Agriculture Ulrich Koester , Midwest Food Connection, Minnesota (PDF)

Innovative Marketing Opportunities for Small Farmers: Local Schools as Customers, USDA 2000. Description and evaluation of a farm to school pilot project in North Florida. To order, call 202-720-8317, or e-mail: Debra.Tropp@usda.gov

Juanamaria Healthy Schools Project Final Evaluation Report. Heidi Christensen, PhD. Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Office. February, 2003. (PDF)

Linking Education, Activity and Food Berkley, CA. Click Here

Nutritional Assessment of Foods Sold in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Schools. WestEd. 2000. (PDF)

FUNDING and FUND RAISING

Creative Financing and Fundraising from the California Department of Health. (PDF)

Creative Financing and Fundraising from the Louisiana Action for Healthy Kids. http://www.doe.state.la.us/lde/nutritioned/1862.html

Environmental Protection Agency offer excellent funding sources targeted to environmental education. www.epa.gov/teachers/grants.htm

Federal and State grant opportunities for schools as well as a connection to foundations around the country. This site is part of http://www.schoolgrants.org, a site set up to help, find, and write educational grants. http://www.k12grants.org/grant_opps.htm

The Foundation Center provides education and training on the grantseeking process. They collect, organize, and communicate information on U.S. philanthropy while conducting and facilitating research on trends in the field. The website is set up to help to strengthen the nonprofit sector by advancing knowledge about U.S. philanthropy http://www.fdncenter.org/

Grant Maker offers a list of community organizations by state. This is a great place to start for funding projects. http://fdncenter.org/funders/grantmaker/gws_comm/comm.html

The National Environmental Education and Training Foundation's Challenge Grant Program was designed to create leverage for non-federal investment in environmental education. http://www.neetf.org/Grants/index.htm

The New York Apple Association can help with fund raisers. Gift boxes are also available. For more information visit http://www.nyapplecountry.com/giftboxes.php

Resource Directory for Grants. www.kidsgardening.com/resources/resource.asp

School Garden Grants. www.kidsgardening.com/teachers2.asp

The United States Department of Agriculture: Food Nutrition Service (http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Default.htm). This website helps find funding for a Local Wellness Policy. Click Here

Youth Garden Grant. www.kidsgardening.com/grants.asp

CURRICULUM

Agriculture in the Classroom. This webpage is an amazing resource for teachers. This USDA run website provides an extensive resource list for agriculture in the classroom and K-8 educational materials as well as downloadable curriculum guides. www.agclassroom.org

Center for Environmental Education. CEE Online’s curriculum library offers lesson plans for classes of all ages. Click Here

Cooking With Kids using food within the curriculum http://www.cookingwithkids.net

Create Your Own Farm from the creators of What Kids Can Do. http://www.whatkidscando.org/shorttakes/Curriculum.html

Days of Taste is a discovery based program for fourth and fifth grade children to learn about food and how it weaves its way through daily life from farm to table. American Institute of Wine and Food. http://www.aiwf.org/site/days-of-taste.html

Discovering the Food System A Primer on Community Food Systems: Linking Food, Nutrition and Agriculture written by Jennifer Wilkins, of Cornell University. http://foodsys.cce.cornell.edu/primer.html

Family Cook Production exists to bring families together around delicious, fresh food while positively impacting their health and well being. Family Cook Productions offers three field-tested, school-based curricula teaching culinary skills and basic nutrition in a fun framework of international cultures and offer a training certificate program to certify educators in skills necessary to teach these curricula. http://www.familycookproductions.com

Farm Service Agency Puzzles, mazes, games, fast facts, and coloring pages. http://www.fsa.usda.gov/fsakids/parents.htm

Farm to Table: A Curriculum Connecting Agriculture to Our Everyday Lives produced by the New England Heritage Breeds Conservancy http://www.nehbc.org

Fast Plants. A gardening curriculum resource from the University of Wisconsin. http://fastplants.org/index.php

"Feeding Young Minds: Hands-on Farm to School Education Programs"  Latest Publication of the Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC) called, now available. Focusing on educational activities that complement local purchasing for school meals, this booklet highlights farm to school experiential education programs from around the country. These range from cooking classes in New Mexico, to school fundraisers in Ohio, to kindergartners tasting watermelon radishes in Pennsylvania. Each program is unique, yet offers insights and possibilities of what can be achieved when farm-fresh products in the cafeteria are linked with experiential education activities. A resource section is also included To order a copy of the publication. http://www.foodsecurity.org/pubs.html#feeding

Food Studies. A wonderful collection of curriculum integrating academic disciplines with food, nutrition, culture and the arts. http://www.foodstudies.org/curriculum/

French Fries and the Food System: A Year Round Curriculum Connecting Youth with Farming and Food This site offers books, manuals, and videos for sale such as: French Fries and the Food System-Lesson plans developed and utilized by an innovative urban youth gardening program in Massachusetts; and manuals on how to engage community members in working the land. http://www.thefoodproject.org

The Growing Classroom. A popular, hands-on science elementary school curriculum from Life Lab Science Program. It has a great unit on Nutrition, one on Food Choices and another on Consumerism Website also includes workshops, events, and project models. http://www.lifelab.org/products/activity

Guide to Food and Fiber Systems Literacy http://food_fiber.okstate.edu/

Healthy Choices for Healthy Kids is great website to teach nutrition to kids. Designed by the Washington State Apple Growers Association explores healthy eating, snacking and healthy lifestyles. http://www.healthychoices.org/

Healthy Foods from Healthy Soils: A Hands-On Resource for Teachers. Patten Elizabeth Patten and Lyons Kathy. Tilbury House Publishers $19.95 plus shipping.

How to Teach Nutrition to Kids by 24 Carrot Press available for purchase from this site. FREE Feeding Kids Newsletter. You'll also find lots of useful tips and quick updates. http://nutritionforkids.com/

Junior Master Gardener Curricula developed by Texas A&M University. Click Here

Kids Cook Farm Fresh Food. Seasonal Recipes, Activities & Farm Profiles That Teach Ecological Responsibility An activity guide for students in grades two through seven that links local agriculture to the pleasures of dining. The guide is designed to introduce students and teachers to fresh, seasonal, locally grown produce. Each chapter features a particular fruit or vegetable and background information. Recipes, ideas for cooking and gardening activities, and profiles of real farms are provided. Instructions for planting a garden make learning engaging and inviting. In addition, a matrix displays classroom activities that support specific academic content standards in math, English—language arts, science, and history—social science. 247 pages, available from the California Department of Education Press http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/pn/

Land Learn from Australia LandLearn provides a structure and support for Environment Education in schools to incorporate studies of ecologically sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, and food production and marketing. Newsletter and other resources available. http://landlearn.netc.net.au/

Linking Food and the Environment a production of Teachers College, NY. http://www.tc.edu/centers/life/

National Agricultural Statistics Service Kids Pages http://www.usda.gov/nass/nasskids/kidpg.htm

National Gardening Association. Major resource for youth gardening and school gardens including curricula, tool kits, supplies, grant information, and technical support. Great for teachers who already have established gardens and also for parents looking to support projects. Website hosts a registry of schoolyard garden projects across the country. www.kidsgardening.com

New York State 4-H Resources for Educators: http://www.cerp.cornell.edu/4h/

Nutrition in the Garden curriculum by Texas A&M University: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/nutrition/index/

Nutrition to Grow On. A Resource for teachers. Available through the California Department of Education. Click Here and also Click Here

The NY Apple Association has teacher kits available. Many apple related educational items are available, and can be downloaded and printed. http://www.nyapplecountry.com/teacherkits.htm

Project Learning Tree: The American Forest Foundation has developed environmental curriculum and resources for teachers for grades k-12. Funding opportunities are also available. http://www.plt.org/

Project Seasons: Hands-on Activities for Discovering the Wonders of the World. To purchase the workbook visit http://www.shelburnefarms.org/products.asp?dept=8

School Food Plus an initiative of Food Change, New York City for the New York City School System. http://www.foodchange.org/nutrition/schoolfood.html

School Market Program. Learning by doing is exactly what these kids are doing; growing, selling and preparing their own school garden fresh food. Get inspired! http://www.thefoodtrust.org/

Spoons Across America,™ the source for children’s culinary education, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating children, teachers, and families about the benefits of nutritious, healthy eating and the important traditions of supporting local farmers and sharing meals around the family table. http://spoonsacrossamerica.org/

Sustainable Agricultural Education from SAGE (California) http://www.sagecenter.org/

Sustainable Agricultural Resources and Programs for k-12 Youth http://www.sare.org/publications/edguide.htm

Teacher Curriculum Resources: Click Here

National Resource Conservation Education Material Help with curriculum and lots of resources for teachers from the USDA NRCS. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/education/

SCHOOL GARDENS

Added Value is a non-profit organization promoting the sustainable development of Red Hook by nurturing a new generation of young leaders. They work towards this goal by creating opportunities for the youth of South Brooklyn to expand their knowledge base, develop new skills and positively engage with their community through the operation of a socially responsible urban farming enterprise. http://www.added-value.org/index.php

The Edible Schoolyard is a project in which is wholly integrated into the school's curriculum and lunch program. It involves the students in all aspects of farming the garden — along with preparing, serving and eating the food — as a means of awakening their senses and encouraging awareness and appreciation of the transformative values of nourishment, community, and stewardship of the land. The websites includes curricula, tool kits, supplies, grant information, and technical support. www.edibleschoolyard.org

Food For Thought Ojai Is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created by parents, farmers, health and educational professionals, and environmentalists to bring healthier, fresh food to our school children, while raising awareness and support for local farms and the environment. www.foodforthoughtojai.org

Garden for the Envrironment is a California based gardeners forum established to answer questions, and to provide resources and contacts of local businesses or organizations to help with your garden needs. http://www.gardenfortheenvironment.org/

Garden Mosaics is a project that combines science education with gardening, intergenerational mentoring, multicultural understanding and community action. Great science and action project resources as well as interactive components. http://www.gardenmosaics.cornell.edu/

Healthy Foods from Healthy Soils: A Hands on Resource for Teacher written by Elizabeth Patten. Click Here

Kids Growing Food a program of Cornell University’s Agriculture in the Classroom. Resources and mini-grants for teachers interested in a garden based curriculum. http://cerp.cornell.edu/aitc/KGF.html

Life Lab provides training in garden nutrition education and runs a great farm based educational tours in the Spring and Fall. http://www.lifelab.org/tours

National Gardening Association Major resource for youth gardening and school gardens including curricula, tool kits, supplies, grant information, and technical support. Great for teachers who already have established gardens and also for parents looking to support projects. Website hosts a registry of schoolyard garden projects across the country. www.kidsgardening.com

Resource for garden based learning, from seed to harvest, for youth and adults from the Cornell University Department of Horticulture. Great activities, lesson plans, publications, and evaluation resources. www.hort.cornell.edu/gbl/

A GREENER SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

Beyond Pesticides encourages a pesticide free approach to managing our bugging problems. http://www.beyondpesticides.org/

Children's Environmental Health Network is a website to guide school administrators through the decision making process when evaluating their school environment. http://www.cehn.org/

Collaborative on Health and the Environment a website developed by the Network for Environmental Health. http://www.chenw.org/

The Environmental Kids Club an interactive website on environmental topics just for kids. http://www.epa.gov/kids/

The Environmental Protection Agency has a website for teachers which includes environmental curriculum and resources. http://www.epa.gov/teachers/

Go Green is an initiative for greener environments. http://www.gogreeninitiative.org/

The Green Schools Initiative. Read how to make our schools greener and healthier places for our kids. http://www.greenschools.net/index.html

Green Teacher is a magazine by and for educators to enhance environmental and global education across the curriculum at all grade levels. http://www.greenteacher.com/

Healthy Schools Network of NYS promotes the development of national and state policies, regulations, and appropriate funding-- with a two-fold focus: to improve the conditions of school facilities and to promote children’s environmental-occupational health in their ‘workplaces’.  HSN has won national recognition for its Healthy Schools/Healthy Kids Clearinghouse services. http://www.healthyschools.org/

The Institute for Children's Environmental Health explores the environment that children live within. http://www.iceh.org/

The Organic Consumers Association nationwide campaign working to integrate organic foods and non-toxic products into our schools and homes, creating a safer and healthier environment for our children to learn and grow. http://www.organicconsumers.org/sos.htm

Schoolyard Ecology Guidebook. Baron, Monique V, et al. The New Jersey Urban Ecology Program, Rutgers State University of New Jersey. (PDF)

Terry Hausseman Sustainable School Awards (PDF)

FARM FIELD TRIPS

Farm Connection Manual. This manual is designed to let farmers know what to expect when hosting a farm visit, and to prepare teachers and classes so that they may get the most out of their farm visit. (PDF)

Making the Farm Connection A Farm to School, Farm Visit Manual from the Community Alliance with Family Farmers of California. This manual is designed to let farmers know what to expect when hosting a farm visit, and to prepare teachers and classes so that they may get the most out of their farm visit. (PDF) http://www.caff.org/programs/f2sManual.shtml

Schools Come to the Farm: A Farm Guide for Giving Tours NY Agriculture in the Classroom Program and the Cornell Educational Resources Program (CERP) 2003 Cost: $7.00 + s/h. Contact the CERP Store: (607) 255-1837, email: cerp@cornell.edu or visit the CERP Store online. http://cerp.cornell.edu/

SUSTAINABILITY

The Alliance for Better Food and Farming takes a look at the impact transportation plays in our current food system in their report called Food Miles http://www.sustainweb.org/chain_fm_index.asp

The American Farmland Trust has a short video showing the small percentage of the Earth which is suitable for agriculture. The Earth is cut similar to an apple showing the amount farmers are charged with. http://www.farmland.org/default.asp

Building Bridges: Linking Public Health and the Sustainable Agriculture Movement an on-going project of the Prevention Institute. http://www.preventioninstitute.org/buildingbr.html

The Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3), North American organization dedicated to building strong, sustainable, local and regional food systems that ensure access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food for all people at all times. We seek to develop self-reliance among all communities in obtaining their food and to create a system of growing, manufacturing, processing, making available, and selling food that is regionally based and grounded in the principles of justice, democracy, and sustainability. http://www.foodsecurity.org/

Cultivating Stronger Communities. Community Markets looks at the food system and why buying local is important. http://www.communitymarkets.biz/news.php#3

Edible Communities. Our mission is to transform the way communities shop for, cook, eat, and relate to the food that is grown and produced in their area. We value local, seasonal, authentic foods and culinary traditions. We strive to put a face on every farmer as we tell their stories and champion their efforts toward a more sustainable and safe food system. http://www.ediblecommunities.com/

Food First is a not-for-profit organization. Advocating for sustainable agriculture is part of their programming. Find out why Food First looks at sustainability. http://www.foodfirst.org/programs

Food Land and People. Resources for learning about sustainability: http://www.foodlandpeople.org/

Food Routes asks "Where Does Your Food Come From?" http://www.foodroutes.org/farmtoschool.jsp

Food Trust. Building Strong Communities Through Healthy Food is just one of their policies. From the Pennsylvania Food Trust. http://www.thefoodtrust.org/policy.html

Green Tables, a newly formed NY not for profit has initiated a Farm to School program based on their mission for agricultural sustainability. http://greentables.org/impact.php#farmschool

Heritage Foods explains why production agriculture is becoming a monoculture. Bringing back heritage plants and animals and educating others about the current system and it’s alternatives is part of their mission. http://www.heritagefoodsusa.com/who_we_are/index.html

Just Food. Community Food Education http://www.justfood.org/education/

The Land Connection of Illinois Our goal is to cultivate healthy farms, healthy food, and healthy communities http://www.thelandconnection.org/

Local Harvest The freshest, healthiest, most flavorful organic food is what's grown closest to you. Use our website to find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies. http://www.localharvest.org/

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service http://www.attra.org/

Northeast Farms to Food: Understanding our Region's Food System http://www.nesawg.org/resources_publications.php

Practical Farmers of Iowa a sustainable agricultural initiative of Iowa State. http://www.pfi.iastate.edu

Radio Report on School Lunch Initiative The Center for EcoLiteracy takes a look at school lunches and the relationship to agricultural sustainability. How can you help? http://www.rethinkingschoollunch.org/

Rooted in Community. This Arkansas group explains how supporting local agriculture sustains local communities. http://www.earthisland.org/ric/localgroups.html

Why Eat Well? It's good for the farms, the environment, the community and You! http://www.eatwellguide.org/