October is National Farm to School Month and many school communities will be celebrating Oregon’s successful Farm to School Program. To kick off the month, Oregon will welcome a visit from the United Nation’s World Food Programme and the Tunisian Ministries of Agriculture and Education. The group will tour several of Oregon’s agribusinesses and schools in the program to see what makes the state’s program so successful. “Oregon’s Farm to School Program continues to be a leader in buying local food for students and planting school gardens to teach children where their food comes from,” said Alexis Taylor, Director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA). “The program exposes students to nutritious, locally grown food and flavors that they may not be exposed to at home. We may inspire local shopping habits or the next generation of gardeners, farmers, and ranchers.” As one of the country’s most popular and advanced programs, Farm to School reaches more than half of all schoolchildren in public schools and provides a market for more than 300 Oregon farmers, ranchers, fishers, and processors. The state is also fortunate to have a partnership between ODA and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to oversee the program. “I have seen firsthand the power of a successful farm to school program in the state when I was superintendent of the Bethel School District,” said Colt Gill, Director of Oregon Department of Education. “I know that getting students out into a school garden or local farm so they can discover where their food comes from is key to both extended learning and improving their health. I am proud that we are able to support our local farmers, ranchers, and students by providing a state grant to all districts so they can purchase food grown and processed in Oregon.” ODA and ODE will welcome the Tunisian delegation on Monday, October 1, 2018 with a reception at Oregon State University’s Food Innovation Center in Portland. Leadership with ODA and ODE will host the social event. The United Nation’s World Food Program and Tunisian delegation will meet with Farm to School partners throughout the week in Portland, Hood River, and Milwaukie. During National Farm to School month, take the time to get informed and involved. Act to support farm to school programs in your community. For more information about Oregon’s Farm to School Program please visit https://oda.fyi/FarmToSchool
