2019 ASHS Annual Conference

The Louisiana Farm to School Program is centrally managed in the state Extension service and focuses on the three core elements of farm to school: local food procurement, school gardens, and education. Farm to school encompasses activities that connect communities with local food and local producers by changing food purchasing and education practices in schools. The state program is implemented with stakeholder coordinated efforts across multiple levels in the local food system. Louisiana Farm to School includes several innovative programs including: a web-based tool connecting local producers with schools and other consumers (MarketMaker); a statewide Louisiana Harvest of the Month (HOM) campaign with posters, protocols for implementation and sourcing locally produced fruits and vegetables, and HOM recipes; training workshops that provide methods and business strategies to producers (MarketReady); as well as training workshops for school nutrition personnel in best practices in local food procurement.