Farm to School Program Looking for Farms to Supply Local Foods to Schools

CCE Harvest NY's Regional Farm to School Coordinator Program is working with NYS Department of Education to support schools participating in the USDA Agriculture and Marketing Services Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program. Local Foods for Schools is a USDA funded program intended to help schools deal with the challenges of supply chain disruptions brought on by the pandemic. The program is designed to strengthen the food system for schools by helping to build a fair, competitive, and resilient local food chain, and expand local and regional markets with an emphasis on purchasing from historically underserved producers and processors. Schools must use funds received through this program to purchase unprocessed or minimally processed domestic, locally grown foods from local producers, small businesses, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers for use in the school meals programs. In NY State the program is administered by NYS Department of Education. Cornell Cooperative Extension - Harvest NY is the technical assistance provider.
If you would like your farm or food business information shared with schools, please complete the survey linked below by Monday, November 14th. The survey asks about your business, the products you grow, raise, produce, or distribute, and what part(s) of the state your products are available, and should take about 5 minutes to complete.
Survey link: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics....
Questions about the program can be directed to Cheryl Bilinski at cbt32@cornell.edu
Upcoming Events
Cover Crop & Soil Health Field Day
April 24, 2025
Freeville, NY
Join us for a field day featuring cutting edge cover crop and soil health research and resources.
How Harvest NY Can Support Your Business (For Value-Added Producers, Distributors and Manufacturers)
May 5, 2025
Join us for two targeted online trainings designed to help producers, distributors, manufacturers, and growers tap into the school food market and expand their reach. Whether you're just starting or already selling to schools, the Harvest NY Team will guide you through the necessary steps to grow your presence in the school food market. Each training will be tailored to the specific needs of the audience, but anyone is welcome to attend either session based on interests and business goals!
How Harvest NY Can Support Your Business (For Growers, Producers and Farmers)
May 7, 2025
Join us for two targeted online trainings designed to help producers, distributors, manufacturers, and growers tap into the school food market and expand their reach. Whether you're just starting or already selling to schools, the Harvest NY Team will guide you through the necessary steps to grow your presence in the school food market. Each training will be tailored to the specific needs of the audience, but anyone is welcome to attend either session based on interests and business goals!
Announcements
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