October is National Farm to School Month

Posted by on September 05, 2011

In November 2010, Congress approved a resolution introduced by Representative Rush Holt (NJ) to officially designate October as National Farm to School Month. To celebrate the first National Farm to School Month, schools across the country will be inviting farmers and chefs to visit their school during the month of October.

The National Farm to School Network has developed a website (http://www.farmtoschoolmonth.org) to provide a host of resources and downloadable materials to promote Farm to School Month. We encourage you to use these materials as you plan events and activities in your communities.  Here’s just a sample of the resources we have developed for you:

·    A Communications Toolkit contains basic information about promoting National Farm to School Month, including a sample press release, social media suggestions and sample newsletter language.

·    Downloadable logos.

·    A fact sheet that explains Farm to School and National Farm to School Month and offers suggestions for how teachers, families, school food service professionals and farmers can get involved throughout October and beyond.

·    A PowerPoint slideshow including the Farm to School Month logo and basic facts and statistics about Farm to School. Customize it to fit your needs.

·    A  sample menu that shows how you might incorporate language about Farm to School Month into your cafeteria menu.

A poster, PSA ads and Spanish versions of most of the materials are coming soon. Farm to School Month themed promotional merchandise is also available for sale.

Please send an email to info@farmtoschoolmonth.org if:

– your organization would like to be listed as a partner for National Farm to School Month celebrations.

– you are planning a special Farm to School event or activity in October

– you have any questions on the materials.

We are extremely excited to celebrate the connections that are happening all over the country between schools and local food! Please spread the word about National Farm to School Month (twitter:  #F2SMonth) and through your networks.