Farm to School
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute- East Troy, WI
“The cost of feeding one child a daily school lunch from kindergarten through high school is about $6,000. In contrast, the price of treating one adult for illness related to poor nutrition can total $175,000 over the course of their lifetime. As a result, the impact of farm to school programs are priceless.”
Farm to School initiatives nationwide bring healthy food from local farms to school children, teach students about the path from farm to fork, and instill healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime. At the same time, use of local food in school meals and educational activities provides a new direct market for local farmers and mitigates environmental impacts of transporting food long distances.
Farm to School initiatives are often comprehensive programs that extend beyond farm fresh salad bars and local foods in the cafeteria to include waste management programs like composting, and experiential education opportunities such as planting school gardens, cooking demonstrations and farm tours. The Farm to School approach helps children understand where their food comes from and how their food choices impact their bodies, the environment and their communities at large.
In Wisconsin, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is working closely with groups ranging from the Wisconsin Heart Association to school nutritionists to advance legislation supporting Farm to School in Wisconsin.
Nationwide, Farm to School initiatives are growing, with more than 2,000 in over 40 states. More than 30 million children eat a school lunch five days a week, 180 days a year. If school lunch can taste great, and support the local community, it is a win-win for everyone.
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