Are you eager to support small farms and help bring healthy, local food into school cafeterias and healthy food and farming education into classrooms? October is a great time to learn more about how the Oregon Farm to School Network (OFSN) is doing just that.
OFSN is an Oregon based, non-profit organization connecting 400+ farms & producers, 230+ food service teams, nearly 800 educators and 350 non-profits. With hubs and leaders in 94% of Oregon's counties, and constituents in all Oregon Counties they work to incorporate healthy, local food into school meals and implement food-, farm-, and garden-based education across Oregon. OFSN also advocates for state and federal policies to support this Farm to School success.
The non-profit's Mission: The Oregon Farm to School Network connects and supports members of Oregon’s Farm to School community to create a just, equitable food and education system that provides access to healthy, local school meals and food, farm and garden education.
They provide resources, technical assistance, training, networking and policy advocacy, to build a stronger farm to school movement in Oregon.
These folks know how to network. They conduct outreach to connect with new stakeholders and share existing Oregon and National program models and effective practices at events throughout Oregon. They work closely with Oregon’s diverse communities towards their common vision.
- Every child and family in Oregon has access to healthy, culturally relevant food
- Our food is grown in a way that is sustainable and nurturing of the environment
- The people who work the land, and cultivate and prepare food, hold power in the food system, and are valued and cared for
- Our education system centers and values healthy local food systems
- Students of all ages are connected to their food and where it comes from
This Month: October is Farm to School Month and today, October 17th, is their CRUNCH at Once event - where 46,000 students will be crunching into Oregon grown fruit or veggies. CRUNCH events have been taking place in many other states for years as a great way to celebrate Farm to School. It can be celebrated anytime - especially this month.
Along with the coordination for this CRUNCH event (eating locally grown fruit or veggies), schools consider incorporating lessons on farming, soil, nutrition, the water cycle, photosynthesis, or other relevant topics into the curriculum during the week or day of their CRUNCH.
Deirdre Geddes, our Sales Manager here at Hummingbird, is on the board of Oregon Farm to School Network. With two boys in school, she knows how important this work is. "During my time on the Steering Committee and then the Board of Directors for the Oregon Farm to School Network, I had the privilege of meeting and working with a small, passionate group of dedicated individuals, all united in their efforts to revolutionize the food system for Oregon schools and children." Deirdre went on to say, "It's a fact that nourishing, consistent meals enhance learning and behavior. With a significant number of children relying on school meal programs, it's imperative that we provide diverse, healthy meal programs. Additionally, a pivotal part of OFSN's mission is to advocate for state and federal policies and funding to bolster the success of farm-to-school programs. The OFSN team and its collaborators are creating a brighter, healthier future for our children and communities."
Learn more about Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Network at their website.