MARKETING SERVICES
|  |
 |
 |
|
What is Farm-to-School?
The Farm-to-School Program is an initiative seeking to bring nutritious fresh food from local farms to schools including K-12, colleges and universities. Virginia schools currently spend more than $6 million annually on fresh produce. The Farm-to-School Program in Virginia will open the door for more of those dollars to stay within the state and support Virginia farmers by promoting opportunities for schools, distributors and growers to work together to increase the volume of locally grown product served in school cafeterias and dining halls.
Incorporating local products into school meals also enhances the educational opportunity for students who benefit by learning about the seasonality of food products, the importance of supporting local agriculture and the benefits associated with reducing transportation cost and protecting farms and farmland in our communities.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Farm-to-School effort includes the administration of certain federal entitlement programs, such as the Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Program. Virginia’s entitlement this year is more than $1 million. In order to increase volume of Virginia produce distributed through such programs, VDACS works with both Virginia growers and distributors to make sure each side is aware of mutual business opportunities.
This Web site helps communicate information on the availability of Virginia produce to the state’s schools, both public and private.
“The Farm-to-School program is about creating connections between growers, distributors and educational institutions. The program can play a role in addressing the problem of childhood obesity and an added benefit is that using local produce in school menus supports the Virginia Agricultural Economy.”
Todd P. Haymore, VDACS Commissioner
Leanne DuBois
Coordinator, Farm-to-School Program
farmtoschool.PO.MAIL@vdacs.virginia.gov
804.225.3663
Farm to School Program On-line Forms
Farm Form
School Form
NEW!! Farm to School Virginia Produce Availability Chart – Provides the time periods when fruits, vegetables and other farm products are available in Virginia throughout the school calendar year.
Wholesale Farmers’ Markets – Four state-owned, private-sector operated markets provide shipping points for Virginia fruits and vegetables.
Sales & Market Development Regional Staff:
Sales & Market Development Regional Staff:  |
Region 1: Eastern Butch Nottingham |
757.787.5867 |
757.787.5973 |
Region 2: Northeast Philip T. Hickman |
804.371.6157 |
804.371.7786 |
Region 3: Southside D. Stanley Duffer |
434.572.4568 |
434.572.8234 |
Region 4: Southwest Danny Neel |
276.228.5501 |
276.228.6579 |
Region 5: Northwest Dave Robishaw |
434.984.0573 |
434.984.4156 |
Region 6: Southeast Gail M. Milteer |
757.569.1100 |
757.562.6104 |
|---|
Eggs, poultry, and meat products are also available from Virginia processors.
Green Valley Farms
Shell Egg Processor
Abingdon Virginia
Contact: Kenny Hobbs
276.628.2116Glenwood Foods LLC
Shell Egg Processor
Jetersville Virginia
Contact: Scott Akom
804.561.3447 ext. 241Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative
Turkey Processor
Hinton Virginia
Contact: David Price
540.867.4183
How can anything that tastes so good, be so good for you? Fresh, local Virginia grown fruits and vegetables are saturated fat free and cholesterol free. In fact, many are totally fat free, as well as sodium free and provide antioxidants to help reduce problems. Here is a produce poster filled with interesting produce facts.
Teaching our kids about Virginia agriculture, nutrition and food safety, while feeding them Virginia grown products, is easy.
Eat Smart-Farm Fresh! – A Guide to Buying and Serving Locally-Grown Produce in School Meals.
Small Farms/School Meals Initiative – A step-by-step guide on how to bring small farms and local schools together.