The U.S. Department of Agriculture is urging schools to promote health and wellness through farm programs. These programs aim to change the way children learn, eat, and grow food in the classroom. October has been declared National Farm to School Month, and the Texas Department of Agriculture is encouraging schools in Texas to participate by incorporating locally sourced produce into student meals.
Cindy Long, Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Service at the USDA, stated that more schools are using fresh local food and adopting Farm to School practices. These practices include school gardens, food education, and partnerships with local producers. By having tasty, local, and seasonal fruits and vegetables on students’ plates, schools can make healthy eating more appealing.
IDEA Public Schools in Central Texas is one district already implementing Farm to School practices. IDEA aims to be the healthiest school district in the nation and has campus farms where students can grow fresh produce and develop healthy habits. Since 2017, IDEA has grown 120,000 pounds of produce, providing over half a million meals for students.
Carlos Jimenez, a farmer at IDEA Rundberg Campus, mentioned that some students are surprised to learn where tomatoes come from, as they initially think they only come from the grocery store. By showing students how food grows, they become more excited about healthy eating. IDEA has 12 campus farms in Texas and one in Louisiana, all working towards encouraging students to try new foods and learn about gardening.
Jimenez explained that they focus on certifying students in programs like the junior master garden program. In 2023, 112 third-grade students were certified, and IDEA plans to have 130 fifth-grade students certified in 2024. The USDA is offering grants to support the use of school gardens in classrooms, with the aim of students using garden produce to create healthy food for school meals. The grant program can provide up to $100,000 in funding.
To learn more about the grant requirements and how to implement Farm to Table practices in schools, visit the USDA Grants program webpage. By participating in Farm to School programs, schools can help students develop healthy habits, learn about food production, and enjoy nutritious meals made from locally sourced ingredients.