Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

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.

2008 Mass. Harvest Week will be Sept. 22 -26

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.

DOWNLOAD COOKBOOK HERE [PDF]

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

High Lawn Dairy Farm which sells to Springfield, Williams, and Wellesley Colleges.

Joe Czajkowski of Czajkowski Farm
with Pat Lanni of Lanni Farm

Amy Cotler speaking to food service directors

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

State Representative Ellen Story visiting Wildwood Elementary School in Amherst, celebrating Mass. Harvest Week with Mr. Silverstone's second grade class.

FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROJECT

2008 Mass. Harvest Week will be Sept. 22 -26

Massachusetts Farm-to-School Cookbook Highlights Fresh and Locally Grown Products for Schools!

DOWNLOAD COOKBOOK HERE [PDF]

Massachusetts Farm-to-School Cookbook
Highlights Fresh and Locally Grown Products for Schools!