Educators & Administrators

Food Education Is Vital to Health & Academic Achievement
Farm to school activities such as school garden projects, field trips to the farm, and local foods taste testing teach children skills that will last a lifetime. Students learn to make healthier choices when food service professionals, teachers and administrators unite under a local foods initiative.

What are the benefits?

The National Farm to School Network has identified numerous benefits for many different facets of society, including.

Economic Development

Each dollar invested in farm to school stimulates an additional $0.60-$2.16 of local economic activity, in one case resulting in $1.4 million overall contribution to the state

Public Health

Minimized diet-related diseases in childhood such as obesity and diabetes through the promotion of eating fresh fruits and vegetables

Education

Enhanced overall academic achievement in K-12 settings, including grades and test scores

Environment & Community Engagement

Decrease in overall food waste, and increase in support from parents and community for healthier school lunch programs

Administrators

A successful farm to school program is only possible with your support — the activities occur in many different contexts: in class, after school, in the cafeteria, and even in hallways. Build a motivated and organized team to help you promote the school’s efforts and provide the appropriate resources.

Educators

Food isn’t just for health and nutrition topics. You can incorporate soil testing into science, food production for environment-based curricula and invite farmers for career days.