National Farm to School Network

Farm to school is a proven strategy that brings healthier food to kids in schools and economic opportunities for small farmers, ranchers, and fishers across the United States. Right now, that progress is at risk due to cancellations in federal funding sources. National Farm to School Network calls on policymakers to rethink these decisions. We must invest in programs that get more food dollars into the hands of small producers and bring more whole foods onto students' plates. ➡️ Join us in speaking up for kids and farmers—sign our petition today: https://lnkd.in/eE5Ehuuv

“'The cancellation of the Patrick Leahy Farm to School grant program and TEFAP, coupled with the termination of the Northeast Food for Schools and Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement programs, has a cascading impact across the local food system,' state Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle said in a statement. 'Family farms, students, and food insecure individuals are negatively impacted by these funding reductions and the opportunity for students to access nutritious, locally grown food becomes more difficult.'” ➡️ Read Full Article: https://lnkd.in/eYMRc7FH 🚨 Take Action Against These Cuts: https://lnkd.in/eFx3SsDW

"The USDA recently nixed more than $1 billion from two programs that helped food banks and school meal programs buy local foods, including $660 million for schoolchildren. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently described the programs as 'nonessential.' Vickie Dunaway, who supervises the school system’s food services, told the Tennessee Lookout the federal cuts mean 'going backwards' on purchasing healthier foods. 'That will obviously have to be cut out, because our budget will not withstand being able to purchase local,' she said. 'Purchasing local, minimally processed food is way more expensive than buying from a distributor.'" ➡️ Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/e9uGPSnu 🚨 Take action against these cuts: https://lnkd.in/e3suis3G

National Farm to School Network will be at next week's Farm to Institution New England Summit—will we see you there? Join Cassandra Bull, our Policy Specialist, along with Lihlani Nelson from the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, for a session on farm to school legislative trends. 📈 This session will present a deep dive into farm to school (F2S) policy with an introduction to the new edition of National Farm to School Network and Vermont Law and Graduate School’s State F2S Policy Handbook. After learning about recent policy trends, participants will have an opportunity to connect with F2S advocacy leaders in their states, explore emerging policy topics, and develop actionable strategies to advance healthy regional food systems. Learn more at www.f2isummit.org.

Black agricultural and food businesses in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania—check out this funding resource from the Black Farmer Fund!

Currently ongoing federal policy changes, like the USDA’s termination of Local Food for Schools and Child Care funding and the FY25 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, are making it harder for schools to source fresh, local food and for farmers to connect with their communities. In times like these, our work is more crucial than ever. National Farm to School Network is committed to defending our policy wins and pushing for solutions that strengthen local food systems, support farmers, and ensure every child has access to nourishing meals—but we can’t do it alone. Your support fuels this work. With your donation, we can continue to lead, educate, and mobilize for a future where farm to school isn’t just an option but a reality for every community. Now more than ever, every dollar counts. 💌 Join us in sustaining this movement by making a gift today: https://lnkd.in/ggpV8WM7

"The money [for the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program], in the grand scheme of government funding, was small. $5 million dollars is a drop in the bucket for the USDA, but it was making huge impacts in communities, and especially rural communities,” said Sunny Baker, Senior Director of Programs and Policy at NFSN. “This is gonna mean not just that kids are not gonna have the same access to school food, to local school food, to school garden work, it’s really gonna have these rippling implications for the future of the local food movement in our country and food security.” Read the full article featuring our Senior Director of Programs and Policy, Sunny Baker, here: https://lnkd.in/egzrbThq

As many of you are already aware, this week, USDA announced the cancellation of the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program for fiscal year 2025. This grant program would have provided $10m to help schools and early care and education centers incorporate local foods, nutrition education, and garden activities into their programs. ➡️ Read our latest blog post to learn more about this announcement: https://lnkd.in/emqg6gmg Here are actions you can take right now to speak up against these cancellations: ‼️ Tell us how you are impacted by the cancellation of the grant program, or if you are having any issues with funds granted in FY 2024 or earlier here: https://lnkd.in/ewpTg44g ‼️ Sign our Petition to reinstate the grant program and Local Food for Schools and Child Care funding; https://lnkd.in/e7jwikCe ‼️ Contact your legislators with our Action Alert: https://lnkd.in/eFx3SsDW We are extremely dismayed at this announcement. We know this news is difficult, especially coming after the news of the Local Food for Schools and Child Care (LFSCC) cancellations for round two. NFSN is currently working with legislators to find out more, connecting with our partners for a unified response, and providing up to date information to our network. Share this post widely to encourage others in your network to take action!

NEW RESOURCE: The State Farm to School Policy Handbook: 2002-2023 offers a comprehensive overview of every state #farmtoschool bill since 2002, analysis of trends, case studies, policy resources & more. Co-authored by National Farm to School Network & Center for Agriculture and Food Systems. 🔍📊 Explore the handbook & database now! https://lnkd.in/e96R9wpM

🌱 Local food for schools isn’t just a meal—it’s an important investment for farmers and students alike. In a recent article for The Guardian, NFSN's Senior Director of Programs and Policy, Sunny Baker, explores the vital role of the Local Food for Schools Program and the significant impact of its recent funding cuts. “When schools purchase directly from farmers, 100% of every dollar goes to farmers. And now a program that provided critical support has been canceled in the name of government efficiency.” With $1 billion in funding cuts, this essential program is currently in jeopardy, threatening small farmers' livelihoods and leaving school districts scrambling to provide fresh, healthy meals. The piece highlights how community-based food systems are key to not just feeding kids, but also supporting American farmers, especially in rural areas. It’s a reminder of the need for strong, sustainable investments in the food systems that serve our children and communities. 👉 Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4iEgDxq