Anderson County's Farm to School Program

2010 Sustainability of SC Local Food Systems Workshop


Introducing “Grow with Me” Anderson’s Farm to School Program

Why Pursue an Autonomous Local Food System?

$ 500,000,000.00

$ 30 – 60 Million (6 – 12 %)

Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development

Health BenefitsChronic IllnessFood Security

Environmental BenefitsDevelopment

Storm Water Run-off & Air Standards

Economic BenefitsFarm Profitability

Cost Savings

Social BenefitsStronger CommunityProtect Our Culture

Farm to Institution

Farm to School

“Grow with Me!”

Farm to Restaurant

““Grow with Me”Grow with Me”Mission Mission

By incorporating educational components with the substitution of local produce on

cafeteria menus we will improve the health of our children, foster better environmental stewardship, boost the local farm economy and rebuild relationships between “eaters”

and farmers.

““Grow with Me”Grow with Me”Vision Vision

Local Food in SchoolsThe main goal of the farm to school program is to provide farmers a viable market in their community to sell produce, while supplying our schools with the freshest food

possible.

Farm Field TripsThis component of the program strives to rebuild a connection to where food comes from

and who is growing food in our local communities.

Nutrition EducationWith the loss of connection to where food comes from, there has also been a disconnect

with preparing food and healthy eating. The nutrition component of the farm to school program consists of cooking demonstrations and classes to help students learn to enjoy

preparing and eating healthy fresh foods.

Schools GardensStudents will eat what they grow. The school garden component is the link between

healthy eating and reconnecting students with their agricultural heritage.

““Grow with Me”Grow with Me”Current & Future ProgramsCurrent & Future Programs

Local Food in SchoolsSummer – tomatoes, cucumbersFall - BlackberriesSpring – strawberriesLong Term - Substitute as much as possible

Schools GardensExpand to more schools

Nutrition Education“Ag in the Classroom”Taste Tests / Cooking Demonstrations

Farm Field TripsAnderson County CVB database to promote farms offering tours.

“Grow with Me”

Current Status

• Currently building upon strawberry, tomato and cucumber quantities from previous year for lunch line

• USDA grants allowed purchasing of LOCAL raspberries, peaches, grapes.

• Finalizing details on blackberries in lunch line for 2011-2012 school year.

“Grow with Me”

Recent Accomplishments

• American Recovery and Reinvestment ActKitchen Equipment Grant

District 1 $19,045.97 Double OvenDistrict 2 $16,407.25 Walk in FreezerDistrict 3 $25,000 Walk in FreezerDistrict 4 $25,000 Full size Double OvenDistrict 5 $22,500 Combo OvenTotal ARRA grant=$107,953

“Grow with Me”

Accomplishments

“Grow with Me”

Accomplishments



Discussion