This October, schools across Oregon are gearing up to celebrate Farm to School Month, a time dedicated to highlighting the importance of agricultural producers, nutrition education in the classroom and school gardens, and serving local products in school meals. The month-long celebration will feature the Oregon CRUNCH at Once event, uniting students statewide in a synchronized bite into locally grown produce.
The Oregon Farm to School Program connects Oregon farmers, ranchers, seafood harvesters, and food processors to school cafeterias, early child care centers, and summer meal sites. This enables more Oregon agricultural products to be served in the lunch line. The Program also helps connect youth to where their food comes from and offers healthy options in the school lunch line.
Key activities during Farm to School Month include:
- The Oregon CRUNCH event on October 17th, 2024, where students across the state will simultaneously bite into locally grown fruits or vegetables
- Volunteer opportunities in school gardens
- Field trips to local farms and farmers markets
- Highlighting locally sourced Oregon products in school meals
- Educational activities about Oregon agriculture and nutrition
The Oregon Harvest for Schools Program supports these efforts by connecting farmers, fishers, ranchers, and processors with child nutrition programs. Schools interested in sourcing local products can access the Oregon Harvest for Schools Directory, a free resource listing eligible local products: https://directory.oregonharvestforschools.com
Community members are encouraged to get involved by volunteering at local schools, supporting the CRUNCH event or simply spreading awareness about the importance of these programs.
For more information about Farm to School Month activities, the Oregon CRUNCH event, or to participate in an event near you, visit the Oregon Farm to School community at: https://oregonfarmtoschool.org