Farm to School Farm to School ImpactsImpacts

Gail FeenstraGail Feenstra

UC Sustainable Agriculture UC Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education ProgramResearch & Education Program

Initial increase in Initial increase in purchase of farm purchase of farm fresh, local foodsfresh, local foods

Greater variety and Greater variety and amounts of local amounts of local fruits and fruits and vegetables served, vegetables served, used in menusused in menus

Increase in Increase in knowledge and knowledge and value of local foodsvalue of local foods

ResultsResultsSchool Food Operational School Food Operational

ChangesChanges

Modest increases in Modest increases in farmer income (<5%)farmer income (<5%)

Most-direct salesMost-direct sales Connections with kidsConnections with kids

Farm tours for kidsFarm tours for kids Classroom activitiesClassroom activities

Greater connections Greater connections with communitywith community

ResultsResultsFarm Sale TransactionsFarm Sale Transactions

ResultsResultsCommunity/Family ImpactsCommunity/Family Impacts

[Center for Rural Studies, Vermont][Center for Rural Studies, Vermont]

Child shared info with family (40%)Child shared info with family (40%) Changed family’s eating habits Changed family’s eating habits

(14%)(14%) Community awareness about more Community awareness about more

fresh produce distribution in schools fresh produce distribution in schools (86% of town meeting)(86% of town meeting)

Support for more purchases from Support for more purchases from local farms (97%)local farms (97%)

Community ImpactsCommunity ImpactsFactors that Contribute to Factors that Contribute to

SuccessSuccess Leadership developmentLeadership development Complementary partnershipsComplementary partnerships

Diverse stakeholders, community partnersDiverse stakeholders, community partners

Creative, resourceful use of assetsCreative, resourceful use of assets Community farm-to-school teamsCommunity farm-to-school teams Leverage local policy developmentLeverage local policy development

Future Research NeedsFuture Research Needs

Research on food service staffResearch on food service staff Role of teachers in changing Role of teachers in changing

consumptionconsumption Factors leading to sustained high Factors leading to sustained high

participation in F2Sparticipation in F2S Dietary changes sustained at homeDietary changes sustained at home Relationship of F2S and concrete Relationship of F2S and concrete

health outcomeshealth outcomes

Future Research NeedsFuture Research Needs

Plate waste studiesPlate waste studies Farmer impacts (other than financial)Farmer impacts (other than financial) Role of policy and impact on F2S Role of policy and impact on F2S

viabilityviability Impact of F2S on communities (and Impact of F2S on communities (and

reverse)reverse) Longitudinal data on health outcomesLongitudinal data on health outcomes