Farm to School

The landscape of food on children’s plates here in Nebraska is diverse, healthy, and delicious. This helps farm to school in Nebraska embrace the entire plate.
Farm to School is a natural fit for Nebraska's rich history in agriculture. The term "Farm to School" refers to schools serving locally grown or produced fresh foods from the school cafeteria. This can range from fruits and vegetables to eggs to honey to meat. Often schools incorporate curriculums built around nutrition, agriculture, and science. Doing this creates learning opportunities based on experience, like farm visits, gardening, and culinary and entrepreneurial programs.
 
For more information about Farm to School, contact Sandra Renner, sandrar@cfra.org or 402.687.2100 ext. 1009
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Farm to School Notes

 

From Greenhouse to Cafeteria: A Toolkit for Creating and Revamping Greenhouse Programs in Nebraska Schools

The Center for Rural Affairs is working with schools across the state of Nebraska to revamp greenhouse programs.

While school greenhouses can be utilized in a variety of ways, our goal is the cultivation of nutritious produce that can be returned to the study body, bringing the greenhouse into the cafeteria. Fresh fruits and vegetables served on the lunch trays of our students only adds to our agriculture heritage. Greenhouses can serve as knowledge centers helping to instruct the next generation on where their food comes from and how they can be the next to grow it. By providing healthy meals and a rich agriculture education, we grow the sustainability of our communities and their food systems.

File attachments: 

PDF icon From Greenhouse to Cafeteria: A Toolkit for Creating and Revamping Greenhouse Programs in Nebraska Schools

Produce Seasonality, Crop Extension, and Storage Resource Guide for Nebraska

When are local foods available to add to school menus?

Center for Rural Affairs partnered with Nebraska Department of Education - Nutrition Services, Nebraska Dry Bean Commission, Midwest Dairy, and Nebraska Beef Council to create a year-round Farm to School program, Nebraska Thursdays.

File attachments: 

PDF icon Produce Seasonality, Crop Extension, and Storage Resource Guide for Nebraska
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Bring responsible food choices into schools

By Justin Carter on December 9, 2019 - 10:00am

Each day, 29 million students participate in the national school lunch program. The Nebraska Food Council is urging Congress to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act, with inclusion of the Farm to School Act and Kids Eat Local Act, to bring responsible food choices into schools.

Last spring, Congress signaled an attempt to build a new Child Nutrition Act. This legislation is traditionally revised every five years and, while most program authorizations are permanent or extended through annual appropriations, a new Child Nutrition Act has not been reauthorized since 2010.

Students kick off Farm to School Month with a crunch

By Justin Carter on October 17, 2019 - 5:00pm

Across the country, kids are reaping the benefits and heading back to school with local foods on their plates.

October is National Farm to School Month and programs are kicking off to improve student health and strengthen our communities. Since 2016, farm to school month has been held to grow awareness and assist schools in activities leading to larger local foods programs.

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