(Interview continued...)
Catherine:
What’s going on with Farm to School in Iowa, and in Iowa City specifically?
Brandi:
In Iowa, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa
Department of Education partner to coordinate statewide Farm to School efforts.
In 2007, state funding was granted to Farm to School to support local efforts
around the state. These funds have been distributed as start-up funds for new
Farm to School chapters in Iowa and as grants for various projects at the local
level.
The
Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) Farm to School Chapter started in
2010 as a project of Field to Family. (This organization is a nonprofit working
to promote local foods; I am on the board of directors.)
Now the ICCSD
Farm to School Chapter works closely with both Field to Family and the ICCSD
Food Service staff on a variety of projects. For example, ICCSD Farm to School
organizes “Farmer Fairs” twice each year in area elementary schools. These
in-school field trips bring growers and nutrition educators into schools to
give presentations, lead hands-on activities like seed planting, and have
students taste-test local foods. Additionally, the ICCSD Farm to School chapter
has offered support for school gardens around the district. There are currently
fifteen active school gardens spread throughout the district’s twenty-five
schools, and at least one provides produce directly to a school kitchen. Finally,
Farm to School has helped facilitate purchasing local food for use in school
lunches. Products include local apples, watermelon, lettuce, and sweet
potatoes.
Catherine:
Where can people learn more?
Brandi:
There are lots of great Farm to School resources out there; here are a few:
The Iowa Department of
Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Farm to School Program, at http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/AgDiversification/farmToSchoolProgram.asp
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