2024 was quite the year! This year was full of growth and we have accomplished so much. We could not be prouder of what we have been able to do in partnership with you all!
Our 2024 stand out moments include:
- Our first annual Totally Tasty Report;
- School Nutrition Professional Listening Session report;
- The launch of our professional development tool for school nutrition staff. Using feedback we received from the listening session, Launching Local: Your Farm to School Guide gives school nutrition staff practical ways to add more local into their school meals;
- Our continued engagement around local purchasing with our third-annual local purchasing report, where 60 school districts participated in local food purchasing, a 33% increase from last school year.
- 2024 USDA Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grantee to engage with 6-8th graders at Crestwood Local School District and Cleveland Metropolitan School District to pilot a Youth Ambassador Program. Youth ambassadors will be advocates and leaders of change for healthier school meals and increasing farm to school in their schools;
- We reached more than 48,000 people through our newsletter and digital media accounts.
With the help of our Regional Food Systems Partnership grant, 2024 USDA Farm to School grant and our partnerships we have been able to do so much in just a year. We are ready to take on 2025 and commit further investments in our local food system and our youth!