Farm to School Month: Who’s at the Table

October marks National Farm to School Month once again. This year, rather than a star ingredient, the theme is about who’s at the table. We want to look at all the people who help get farm-fresh food to schools, and it’s probably more people than you think. Here is how farm-to-school food makes it to your lunch. 

The Farm

Everything starts with the farm. The quality of food cultivated on a farm is directly related to the people who work there. The food is fresher and healthier when you access your food from farms nearby rather than shipping it from far away. Farms in the U.S. significantly impact the environment, so the more sustainable the practices, the better.

The Truck

Recognizing how food gets from farm to school is vital to understanding. According to the Farm to School initiative, 27% of greenhouse gasses are caused by emissions from transportation, with medium and heavy-duty trucks making up a significant portion. The farther food has to travel, the more harm. To help steward the environment, getting food from local producers is the most responsible choice. 

The School

In this cycle of farm-to-school food, we can’t forget the people who benefit the most. Children spend 13 years in school and can access cafeteria-prepared food every weekday. Not only does local food provide healthy alternatives to imported and processed foods, but it can also better reflect all students’ diversity and cultural backgrounds. 

The Cafeteria 

The cafeteria is more than just a lunchroom in schools. It’s the de facto social setting for students of all ages where they can interact with peers outside of the classroom. It is also the workplace for many members of the community. By providing local foods for healthy lunches, we instill positive values about meal consumption reinforced by the adults they see working with them daily. 

The Students

Each student also benefits from exposure to more fresh and healthy foods. As the Farm to School initiative points out, some places have created programs to include school kids in meal planning, taste tests, and cafeteria design. Schools also have programs to teach cooking which can lead to a lifetime of healthy food perceptions. Kids learn about nutrition, the planning of school menus, and skills that can carry them through their adult lives. 

The Compost

There is one more stage for Farm to School. 24% of waste in U.S. landfills comes from food waste. By incorporating more local foods into school programs, schools can also participate in composting, which can then be returned to the farms to begin the growing cycle. Educating children to promote a healthy environment and their health and well-being will teach empathy and other critical social skills for the future. 

Ladybug for Girls supports the Farm to School initiative and understands the value and importance of learning about nutrition starting at a young age. We encourage schools and families to embrace local foods and the lessons they can provide.