Food for Thought Fall 2022

Check out these resources: • STAR Strategies to Help Implement a Successful Farm to School Program • CICN Farm to School: Fresh Ideas for Preparing Fall Fruits and Vegetables • The Dirt: USDA Farm to School e-Letter • National Farm to School Network Connect with us to be the first to know about new resource releases, webinar registration, and CICN podcast episodes.

Farm-to-school efforts can be individualized for different school meal operations. • Consider using DOD fresh to purchase local produce . Yes, this is farm to school! • Partner with a local orchard or grower. Yes, this is farm to school! • Start or support a school garden. Yes, this is farm to school. • Plan a field trip to a local grower. Yes, this is farm to school. ICN is here to support and applaud your farm- to-school efforts!

ICN harvest video

The Child Nutrition Sharing Site (CNSS) is your one-stop-shop for operation-related Child Nutrition Program (CNP) Resources. We encourage you to check out the Farm to School resources and upload your own to the CNSS.

These pictures and video were taken at the K-12 School Forum hosted by the International Fresh Produce Association in July 2022. The produce industry and K-12 operators are intrinsically connected - two out of five school meal components are produce. Together, we work to provide and encourage fresh produce offerings for children at schools. All of these efforts and partnerships strengthen farm to school efforts.

Resources

• FoodCorps. (2021, October 12). How supply chain challenges are affecting school nutrition. • Lockman, Cathy. (2017, September 28). Oregon farm to school program nourishes appetites and minds. Farm Flavor • National Farm to School Network. (2021). About national farm to school network.

Shannon FitzGerald, MS RDN

Shannon is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who joined the Institute of Child Nutrition in 2020. She is passionate about child nutrition, public health issues, food systems, and social justice, creating a healthy path for the next generation. Shannon has a bachelor of science degree in dietetics from Indiana University and a master’s degree in nutrition from Case Western Reserve University. She is working on her Ph.D. in public health at the University of Mississippi.

The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN), part of the School of Applied Sciences at The University of Mississippi, is the only federally funded national center dedicated to applied research, education and training, and technical assistance for child nutrition programs. The Institute’s mission is to provide information and services that promote the continuous improvement of child nutrition programs. ICN Website About ICN Subscribe to ICN Newsletters and Resource Update Emails Here!

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