Farm to School in NY State

Farm to school programs in k-12 schools and early care and education sites engage young people in hands-on learning and empower school nutrition professionals to source and promote healthy, local food for school meal programs. Program design differs by location but may include procuring and promoting local foods, cultivating school gardens, and engaging students in agriculture, food, health, and nutrition education.

Farm to School Program Work Team

A cross-disciplinary team of Extension associates, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) educators, and partners from NYS agencies work together to create better cohesion of farm to school programming across the state. The program work team is co-chaired by Cheryl Bilinski, Agricultural Economic Development Specialist, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and Moira Tidball, Nutrition Issue Leader, Cornell Cooperative Extension Seneca County.  

Student picking up pre-plated greens in school lunch line

Identify NYS Farm to School coordinators in your community or region and reach out to learn more about local initiatives.

Three students hold hands walking through barn

Join a cross-disciplinary team of Extension associates, CCE educators, and partners from NYS agencies who work together to create better cohesion of farm to school programming across the state.

Middle school students picking strawberries

Materials and guidance for those involved in farm to school efforts including farmers, educators, distributors, vendors, school administrators, and nutrition professionals.

Webinars

Quarterly

NYS Farm to School Webinars

The CCE NYS Farm to School Program Work Team hosts educational webinars for the farm to school community. Recent topics include: 

Farm to School sign on cafeteria wall