The goal of Farm to School is to get more locally grown product into the school cafeterias.  Farm to school programs can be as big as serving up locally grown fruit, vegetable or other item once a day or as little as once a school year.  Large or small, each program is important and supports the health and well being of students and farmers.

State of Missouri Governor's Proclamation - October is Farm to School Month in Missouri

Research carried out by the National Farm to School Network shows that Farm to School programs can result in:

• Students consuming more fruits and vegetables and having greater knowledge of agriculture and healthy eating;
• School food service operations increasing both the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables served and increasing their revenues from adult and student participation in school meal programs;
• Farmers diversifying their markets, securing contracts for their products and establishing grower collaborative's and cooperatives.

Missouri Crunch Off 2024 

 October is National Farm to School month! Join us in this celebration. 

Missouri Crunch Off 2024 Report

Missouri Crunch Website
Missouri Crunch Off Registration
Missouri Crunch Off Podcast

Resources

• Farm to School Fact Sheets
• 2023 Farm to School Census coming soon- click here for resources
• Local Food for Schools (LFS) 
• The fiscal year (FY 2025) Farm to School program request for applications (RFA) is now open.
• Looking for local produce?
• Take a virtual farm tour of a Missouri Orchard
• Specialty Crops in Missouri Schools
• Missouri Farm to School Census
• Missouri Extension Farm to School
• National Farm to School Network
• Procuring Local Foods for Child Nutrition Programs
• Selling Local Food to Schools: A Resource for Producers
• USDA Farm to School Site
• USDA Foods: A Resource for Buying Local
• Jackson R2 Local Recipes

Produce Safety Materials

• Best Practices for Handling Fresh Produce in Schools
• Handling Fresh Produce in Classrooms
• Handling Fresh Produce on Salad Bars
• Verifying On-Farm Food Safety
• Ensuring Traceability of Fresh Produce
• Food Safety Tips for School Gardens
• Storing Fresh Produce

USDA Memos

SP-48-2016     Using Federal Funds to Support FoodCorps Service Members

SP-06-2015     Farm to School and School Garden Expenses

SP-03-2013     Procurement Geographic Preference O&As - Part II

SP-01-2013     Federal Small Purchase Threshold Adjustment

SP-18-2011     Procurement Geographic Preference Q&As

SP-13-2010     Farm to School Activities

SP-32-2009     School Garden Q&As

SP-08-2009     Procurement Questions