Farm-to-School for Fresh Fruits & Vegetables 

Across the country, an increasing number of schools and districts have begun to source more foods locally and to provide complementary educational activities to students that emphasize food, farming, and nutrition. This nationwide movement is designed to enrich children’s bodies and minds while supporting local economies is often referred to as “farm to school.”

The objectives of Nutrition Services Department is to serve healthy meals in school cafeterias and improve student nutrition, while providing agriculture, health and nutrition education opportunities...and we want to support our local and regional farmers.

The key is to make these fresh options available and to get kids to try new things. Farm to School programs link school students and farmers in a way that improves foods offered in schools, educates kids about healthy eating and local foods, and creates income opportunities for farmers supplying to schools.

A Farm-to-School Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program can be an important catalyst for change in our efforts to combat childhood obesity by helping children learn more healthful eating habits. It has also been proven to be a successful way to introduce kids and teens to a variety of produce that they otherwise might not have the opportunity to sample.

Community Eligibility Provision

We are pleased to inform you that our schools will be implementing a new provision available to schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

What does this mean for you and your child(ren)?

All enrolled students in our school district, regardless of income level, are eligible to receive a healthy school breakfast and school lunch at no charge each day. No further action is required of you. Your child(ren) will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit a meal application.

The CEP is a new alternative to the traditional meal application process associated with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. CEP alleviates the burden on families by eliminating household applications, while helping schools reduce costs associated with collecting and procesing those applications.

For more information about CEP, please visit USDA.gov/school-meals/communityeligibility-provision