Farm-to-School Project
 From kindergarten to college, interest in serving locally grown foods in cafeterias is increasing in Massachusetts and throughout the northeast U.S. Feeding locally grown foods to students can be a good way for food service directors to improve the nutritional value and taste of school meals, while supporting the local economy. Selling local products to schools can be profitable for Massachusetts growers who are looking for a new way to connect with local consumers.
Farm-to-school transactions must be evaluated for good “fit”
and positive value for both sides. MDAR, through its support of the Massachusetts
Farm to School Project, provides technical assistance to Massachusetts
farmers and schools as they attempt to find a good match. To date there
are about 100 public school districts, private schools, and colleges in the Commonwealth serving local food, over half of which have received
assistance from the Mass. Farm to School Project. About 50 farms are currently selling locally grown foods to these schools across the
state.
2009 MA Harvest Week will be Sept. 21 -25
Mass. Harvest for Students Week…A Great Success!
The second annual Massachusetts Harvest for Students Week took place last
year during September. Schools and colleges across the state purchased,
served, and highlighted fresh locally grown food on their menus. Our goal
for the Week is to spur new buying relationships between schools and farms,
as well as increase existing purchasing in schools around the state. Schools
are also encouraged to focus on the benefits of locally grown foods in
other ways, such as creating school gardens, taking trips to farms, and
integrating agricultural themes in the classroom. Participating schools
receive an introductory package with resources on how to buy locally, and
free technical assistance from the Mass. Farm to School Project on finding
farm vendors.
38 farms and 68 public school districts and colleges preferentially purchased
locally grown food during Harvest Week last year. Contact Mass. Farm to
School Project if you'd like to join us this year.
Massachusetts Farm-to-School Cookbook
Highlights Fresh and Locally Grown Products for Schools!
The cookbook features:
- 45 easy-to-follow recipes using Massachusetts crop, including value added produce such as peeled butternut squash and sliced carrots.
- Easy to prep recipes using dormant seasonal crop, such as potatoes, sweet
potatoes and butternut squash .
- Recipes have been school tested by Food Service Directors, cooks, and students in the schools themselves and designed for 50 to 100 servings.
- Nutritional analysis for each recipe
- Contacts for accessing farm produce
- Kid’s favorites include: Brown Rice Pilaf with Carrots, Chinese Green Beans, Tropical Cole Slaw and Garlic Mashed New Potatoes
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