Farm to School Education

Farm to school education and programs link school children with farm fresh food and educational activities that bring the whole world of agriculture to life and help instill lifestyle choices that nurture their bodies, their communities, and the planet.

Young people who have the chance to dig in a garden, learn about nutrition, agriculture and the natural world, and have the opportunity to cook fresh foods, are more likely to eat these healthy foods when they are served in the school cafeteria and when available to them at home.

Planting the Seeds of a Healthier Generation
Farm to school is a compelling and successful example of how food, gardening and agriculture can plant the seeds of a healthier generation.

Farm to school programs are shaped by each unique community and region. In New Mexico, farm to school programs include the following dynamic approaches that together encourage learning, healthy eating and lifestyle:

• Farm to Cafeteria programs build relationships between school cafeterias and local farmers who want to expand their markets. Learn more >
  
• Farm to School Educational Activities encourage children’s curiosity through gardens and the world of farming while deepening their understanding of horticulture and the connection that fresh fruits and vegetables have to help their bodies grow strong and be healthy. Learn more >
  
• Farm to PreSchool is a natural extension of the farm to school model, and works to connect early care and education settings (preschools, Head Start, center-based programs, programs in K-12 school districts, and family child care programs).
  
• School Wellness Policies are an important tool for parents, local education agencies (LEAs) and school districts to promote student wellness, preventing and reducing childhood obesity, and providing assurance that school meal nutrition guidelines meet the federal school meal standards. Learn more >

A child who has picked a stem of broccoli is more likely to taste it and to continue eating it, than someone who simply sees it in a store bin or on a cafeteria tray.