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To celebrate National Farm to School Month this month, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam encourages students and families to take full advantage of the locally grown fruits and vegetables served in Florida’s school cafeterias. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Farm to School program connects K-12 schools with local farmers and growers to provide fresh, seasonal produce to students during school meals.
“National Farm to School Month in Florida provides students with a better understanding of where their food comes from, and it highlights our continued effort to connect Florida’s nutritious produce directly to our students in order to enhance classroom performance,” said Putnam.
The Farm to School program supports Florida farmers by promoting opportunities for schools and growers to work together to increase the volume of locally grown produce served in cafeterias and dining halls. Additionally, the department has helped coordinate statewide lunch menus to coincide with Florida’s harvest season.
National Farm to School Month facilitates opportunities for hands-on nutrition and agriculture education through activities including: cafeteria taste tests, nutrition education activities in the classroom, farm visits and school garden harvests. To further encourage school garden participation, the department awards six outstanding school gardens in October each year during the annual Golden Shovel Awards presentations.
The department’s Farm to School program positively impacts local economies, reduces transportation costs and helps to preserve farms and farmland. For more information on efforts to increase the volume of locally grown product that is served in school cafeterias and dining halls, visit the department’s Farm to School program webpage.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visitFreshFromFlorida.com.