Getting Organized to Have Local Foods in Your School Next Fall

While there is generally a lot of enthusiasm for providing more fresh, whole foods in our schools, the process of sourcing food from regional farms and turning it into delicious meals presents a variety of challenges. For example, our peak growing season occurs when school is recessed for summer vacation. Our farms are just beginning to learn to grow food in winter. Farm fresh foods typically cost more than industrial packaged foods, which presents school administrators and food service directors with cost-control challenges. Food service directors don't always have time to source food directly from multiple farms. Many farms are not able to commit to a consistent supply of product, or large enough quantities for schools. Many of our schools don't have kitchens suitable for cleaning, prepping, cooking and serving farm fresh foods. And food distributors trying to be cost-competitive may be challenged to sell local foods at a price schools can afford.

Yet, we know from those that have overcome all of these challenges that the benefits to children's health, school life, and our regional agriculture economy make farm-to-school programs a priority for K-12 schools across the state.

The Regional Farm & Food Project is presenting a workshop to teach parents, students, faculty, staff, food service directors, farmers and food distributors how to build supply and demand for local foods in our K-12 schools. Participants will learn how the school food systems works, the role of food service directors and food distributors, and the supporting resources available from the state.

Getting Organized to Have Local Foods in Your School Next Fall
A Workshop for Parents, Students, Faculty, Staff,
Food Service Directors, Farmers & Food Distributors

Saturday, May 20, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
at Bethlehem Town Hall, 445 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY

Co-Sponsored by
Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace
Community for Renewable Energy
Honest Weight Food Coop

Please plan to attend this event if you are interested in seeing more local foods in your K-12 school cafeteria. You will learn the things you need to know to begin to build the supply of local foods for your school. If you are a farmer, a food service director or a food distributor this event will offer you an opportunity to network with the farm-to-school business community.

This event is free and open to the public. Honest Weight Food Coop will provide a light lunch. If your organization would like to table at this event, please call Billie Best at 518-271-0744.

Speakers
Ray Denniston, Food Service Director for the Johnson City Schools and Co-Chair of the NYS Farm-to-School Coordinating Committee

Heather Brooks, Food Service Director, Salem School District

Thomas Cook, Director of Child Nutrition, Bethlehem School District

Allison Bennett, Farm to Market Manager for the Watershed Agriculture Council and Pure Catskills, and a former produce broker

Larry Aronowitz, Account Representative, D. Brickman Inc., a produce distributor serving schools and restaurants

Joe Conroy, General Manager, Capital District Regional Market, the wholesale produce market in Menands

Martha Goodsell, Executive Director of NY Farms!

For more information contact Billie Best at 518-271-0744 or billie@farmandfood.org.