Celebrate National Farm to School Month: How to Get Students More Involved

By: Caitlyn Gerdes, Dietetic Intern, Kent State University

Did you know October is National Farm to School Month? Farm to School is all about connecting students with high-quality local foods while supporting local farmers and the community. This initiative helps us to build more connections while enjoying nutritious and delicious locally-grown food. In 2010, the National Farm to School Network advocated for its creation by Congress and currently organizes the annual celebration nationwide. Roughly 67,300+ schools are participating in Farm to School Month and continue to rise.

Even with so much excitement, some schools still face challenges when it comes to getting students actively engaged. If you're looking for ways to bring more enthusiasm into your school’s Farm to School program, here are five simple and fun ideas to get students more involved!

1. Visit a Farmer’s Market

Encourage students to visit a local farm, or orchard! This makes for a fun and informative experience. Some local farmers' markets in Northeast Ohio are Haymaker Farmers’ Market, Szalay’s Farm & Market, Heritage Farms, Bauman Orchards Inc., Howard’s Apples Farm Market, and so many more. 

2. Have Students Help in Your School Garden 

Offers opportunities for students/staff to work together and develop a deeper understanding of where our food comes from and how it’s grown through hands-on experience. Gardening creates responsibility for students with planning, planting, growing, and harvesting leading to both academic and social success. Some schools have the ability to grow lettuce using Hydroponic Towers, allowing students to learn about cultivation and harvest. However, if your school doesn’t have access to either, there are still plenty of creative ways to engage students!

3. Serve Local Foods on The Menu 

Implementing local fruits and veggies on the side or through scratch cooking increases students' access to local foods. Adding local foods to the menu whether that’s every day or once a week, is one step closer to making school lunches taste more like a “home-cooked” meal that many students are accustomed to. Moreover, this allows for greater control over the quality of the ingredients to ensure the kids are getting the proper nutrients they need throughout the school day. Plus, it benefits the local economy! 

4. Participate in a Taste Test “Try Day”

Taste tests in the cafeteria are a fun and exciting way for students to try new foods or recipes. Encourage students to be brave in trying something new - after all, you never know if you like it unless you try it! A “Try Day” may consist of local foods or a new crop from the school’s garden! Getting the kids involved in cooking, or pairing a new food item with something they are used to may help motivate them to try, especially your picky eaters! This is also a great opportunity for potential menu items! You can make it even more fun by handing out free stickers and posters!

5. Invite Local Farmers

Inviting local farmers allows the students/staff to learn more about their experiences,  farming operations, and the importance of agriculture. Contact local farmers directly or visit local farmers' markets.