National Farm to School Month is an annual event that takes place every October. National Farm to School Month is a time to celebrate the importance of Farm to School programs like Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation’s ʻĀINA In Schools Program! Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation will be joining others around the state and nation to celebrate Farm to School Month. and even within these times, there are still ways that families, students, teachers, and farmers can celebrate! Check out some of the ideas and resources below on ways to join in on the fun:
What is Farm to School?
- Procurement: Local foods are purchased, promoted and served in the cafeteria or as a snack or taste-test;
- Education: Students participate in education activities related to agriculture, food, health or nutrition; and
- School gardens: Students engage in hands-on learning through gardening.
Why Farm to School?
Farm to school is a triple win for kids, farmers, and communities:
- KIDS WIN Farm to School provides all kids access to nutritious, high-quality, local food so they are ready to learn and grow. It also enhances classroom education through hands-on learning related to food, health, agriculture and nutrition.
- FARMERS WIN Farm to School can serve as a significant financial opportunity for farmers, fishers, ranchers, food processors and food manufacturers by opening doors to an institutional market worth billions of dollars.
- COMMUNITIES WIN Farm to School benefits everyone from students, teachers and administrators to parents and farmers, providing opportunities to build family and community engagement. Buying from local producers and processors creates new jobs and strengthens the local economy.
How to Celebrate Farm to School Month
While gathering as a group to have a garden party or visit a farm is not available this year, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate Farm to School Month!
Families
- Read a book or watch a movie about food, farming, or cooking together. Check out the book Farm to Keiki by Kauaʻi local, Tiana Kamen, for hands-on lessons and recipes. Kai Goes to the Farmers Market by Catherine Toth Fox is another great short story about produce grown in Hawaiʻi!
- Get out and garden as a family! Whether it be in the ground, in a raised garden bed, or in containers on a lanai - growing your own food as a family is a great way to celebrate Farm to School Month.
- Cook and enjoy a family meal together made with local ingredients.
- Share family recipes. Have your child/grandchild copy down a family recipe or cook a meal that you enjoyed when you were their age.
- Visit a farmerʻs market or local cooperative! Many farmerʻs markets are still operating as essential businesses. Visit Farm Lovers Markets and Hawaii Farm Bureau for up to date information on which markets are operating.
Students
- Get involved and advocate. Attend School or District Wellness Committee Meeting, PTO, or School Board Meeting and let the representatives know why Farm to School is important to you.
- Be respectful of everyone in the school cafeteria. If someone is eating a food you do not recognize and have never tried before, politely ask them about that food
- Celebrate school food service workers by telling them “Thank you!” every day. Politely give feedback to cafeteria workers on local food items.
- Learn about local farmers by going to a farmers market. Ask the farmers about where and how they grow food.
- Ask your teacher or food service staff about food waste in your school. What could your school do to decrease food waste? (compost, food waste audit, education and outreach to the school community)
- Talk to your parents, grandparents, siblings, guardians, and friends about why you love Farm to School.
- Teach a math, science, or literacy lesson in an outdoor classroom. Find farm to school curriculum resources at kokuahawaiifoundation.org/resources or farmtoschool.org/resources
- Commit to serving on a school garden committee, school wellness committee, or any other group that champions Farm to School.
- Invite a farmer to visit your classroom virtually or take a virtual farm field trip.
- Make time for your students to practice their literacy while cultivating gratitude by writing “Thank You” notes to the school food service team and/or local farmers.
- Make a bulletin board celebrating farmers and local food.
- Farm to School is a tool for growing healthy kids, farmers, and communities. Take some time for self- care. You’ll be able to better support Farm to School programs if you first support yourself. Go for an evening walk or sit down for a homemade meal with friends and family.
- Host a virtual tour of your farm for students or virtually visit a classroom to talk about your farming operation. Email aina@kokuahawaiifoundation.org if you are interested in developing a relationship with a Hawaiʻi public school.
- Meet a school food service director and start to build a working relationship. Ask questions: what local foods would schools be interested in purchasing? Check out this webinar from ʻAina Pono on Local Food Procurement.
- Explore growing foods that are culturally relevant to the school communities you serve or are hoping to serve.
- Share Farm to School Month materials like stickers and bookmarks at your farmers market booth. Free downloads are available at farmtoschool.org/month.
Teachers
- Teach a math, science, or literacy lesson in an outdoor classroom. Find farm to school curriculum resources at kokuahawaiifoundation.org/resources or farmtoschool.org/resources
- Commit to serving on a school garden committee, school wellness committee, or any other group that champions Farm to School.
- Invite a farmer to visit your classroom virtually or take a virtual farm field trip.
- Make time for your students to practice their literacy while cultivating gratitude by writing “Thank You” notes to the school food service team and/or local farmers.
- Make a bulletin board celebrating farmers and local food.
- Farm to School is a tool for growing healthy kids, farmers, and communities. Take some time for self- care. You’ll be able to better support Farm to School programs if you first support yourself. Go for an evening walk or sit down for a homemade meal with friends and family.
Farmers
- Host a virtual tour of your farm for students or virtually visit a classroom to talk about your farming operation. Email aina@kokuahawaiifoundation.org if you are interested in developing a relationship with a Hawaiʻi public school.
- Meet a school food service director and start to build a working relationship. Ask questions: what local foods would schools be interested in purchasing? Check out this webinar from ʻAina Pono on Local Food Procurement.
- Explore growing foods that are culturally relevant to the school communities you serve or are hoping to serve.
- Share Farm to School Month materials like stickers and bookmarks at your farmers market booth. Free downloads are available at farmtoschool.org/month.
More Resources
Even though this school year looks a lot different than years past there are still plenty of ways to stay connected with Farm to School! Check out Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute and ʻAina Pono for local resources as well as the National Farm to School Network for online webinars and activities to do at home.
*All Photos Taken During the 2019-2020 School Year