Chicago IL, September 21, 2023 – USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) awarded $10.7 million to 103 projects across the country under the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program. These investments will help 1.2 million children from nearly 3,000 schools in 40 States and the territory of Guam eat more tasty, nutritious foods, while supporting farmers and producers in their local and regional communities. These investments also reflect USDA’s commitment to reaching historically underserved and marginalized communities.
The Youngstown City School District (YCSD) was awarded a $94,644 Farm to School Grant to develop, implement, and evaluate a Farm to School Implementation Grant for its 13 schools. Through the collaboration of three district departments: The Grants Office, Food Services, and Y-STEAM, alongside a partnership with Fork Farms, they will create and engage families and students in hydroponic gardening at the school sites. They also plan to create professional development for staff, design an innovative curriculum and host family events to taste the produce.
“The opportunities afforded by the Farm to School grant will considerably leave an impact on our scholars,” said YCSD Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor. “We specifically built an educational component to coincide with the wellness piece so scholars can have a hands-on, educational experience. We are beyond grateful to the USDA for its support of Youngstown City Schools.”
Farm to School increases the amount of locally produced foods served through child nutrition programs, while also educating children about how their foods are harvested and made. Various child nutrition operators can participate in Farm to School, from states and tribal nations to schools and community organizations.
“The expansion of Farm to School is more important than ever for our kids,” said Dr. Vista Suarez Fletcher, FNS Midwest Regional Administrator. “When schools and local producers work together, children benefit from higher-quality foods on their plates and program operators have stable sources for the products they need.”
Farm to school opens opportunities for children to learn about nutrition and agriculture through hands-on experiences, such as planting, watering, and harvesting fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The program can also provide a pathway for more children to achieve nutrition security, which is the consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food essential to optimal health and well-being. Since the grant program’s inception in 2013, USDA has awarded $75 million through Farm to School Grants across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico, which have reached over 25 million students in more than 59,000 schools.
Visit USDA’s Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program for more information.