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Division of Agricultural Development
Bureau of Markets
Your link to Massachusetts grown
and produced products!
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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.
The Mass. Farm to School Project can be reached for consultation at 413-253-3844
or kelerwin@localnet.com.
List of Schools purchasing local foods [PDF]
2008 Mass. Harvest Week will be Sept. 22 -26
First Mass. Harvest for Students Week…A Great Success!
The first 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.
29 public school districts preferentially purchased locally grown food for the first time during Harvest Week last year. Plans are underway to do it again in 2008. Contact Mass. Farm to School Project if you'd like to join us.
Massachusetts Farm-to-School Cookbook Highlights Fresh and Locally Grown
Products for Schools!
The new MA Farm-To-School Cookbook will launch in 2008! You can download a preview of the cookbook above.
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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| High Lawn Dairy Farm which sells to Smith, Springfield, Williams, and Wellesley
Colleges. |
Joe Czajkowski of Czajkowski Farm
with Pat Lanni of Lanni Farm |
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| Kelly Erwin at the MA Ag in the Classroom Conference |
Amy Cotler, author of Fresh From the Farm - Mass. Farm to School Cookbook, speaking to food service directors |
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| State Representative Ellen Story visiting Wildwood Elementary School in
Amherst, celebrating Mass. Harvest Week with Mr. Silverstone's second grade
class. |
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Click here for
Farm to School Resources
For Schools:
For Farmers:
In the News
External links
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