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Farm to School

FARM TO YOU FEST 2009!

October 5th - 11th

New York Harvest for New York Kids Week

Farm to you Fest 2008

Farm to You Fest! is a weeklong celebration of local food and agriculture. Every year, more and more schools throughout the state organize fun and educational activities for their students. Farm to You Fest! is an exciting opportunity for schools and communities to learn about New York agriculture, enjoy locally-grown foods, and inspire healthy food choices.

"Help connect New York school children to healthy, delicious, local foods!" Letter from Commissioner Hooker

Here are some award winning activities that you can do during Farm to You Fest! week:

  • School cafeterias can feature NY farm products on their menus; provide healthy recipes to children and parents
  • Classrooms can do food-tastings with local items such as apples and cheeses
  • Plan a visit to a local farm or farmers’ market
  • Play a Nutrition Trivia Game in the classroom
  • Invite a farmer, nutritionist, Dairy Princess, or Cornell University Cooperative Extension Educator into the classroom
  • Plan a Health Fair that includes local foods and farm activities
  • Daily cafeteria menu can highlight the great NYS apple: Monday Apple Cider; Tuesday Apple Crisp; Wednesday Applesauce; Thursday Warm Cinnamon Apples; and Friday Apples & peanut butter dip
  • Organize demonstrations like a cider press or corn roasting and enjoy the proceeds
  • Organize a healthy, local food scavenger hunt at a farmers’ market
  • Host a Harvest Festival; include activities such as a petting zoo, square dance, cow milking, potato sack races

 

We are here to help! Check out the links:

Resources for Farm to You Fest!

Tips for Planning Your Event

Color New York

Farm to School Brochure

Farm to You Fest 2008 events: Upstate | NYC and Long Island

More ideas can be found under the link: Examples of Past Events

“Farm to You Fest 2008!" posters (24" x 36") are available free in limited supply. Order yours today by dropping us a line at ann.mcmahon@agriculture.ny.gov or christina.grace@agriculture.ny.gov.


farm to school

Additional Resources and Other Helpful Information
(These links will take you out of the Pride of New York web site.)

farm to school

Farm to school

Do you want New York State foods in your school?

Read New State Education Department Memo on Farm to School Purchases at: http://portal.nysed.gov/cn/Userhelp/portal/farmtoschool1.pdf (This link will take you out of the Pride of New York web site.)

Fill out your 'Notice of Intent to Purchase Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Locally' and publish this notice in your school newsletter. See sample at: http://portal.nysed.gov/cn/Userhelp/portal/farmtoschoolattachment_b.pdf

Link to PDF help page.The PDF versions will allow you to view and print these documents in 8 1/2" x 11" page formats.

If you would like more information about the Department’s Farm-to School Program, please contact:

Ann McMahon (Upstate) 518-485-7728; ann.mcmahon@agriculture.ny.gov
Christina Grace (New York City/Long Island) 718-722-2834; christina.grace@agriculture.ny.gov
Gary Domalewicz (Distributors/wholesalers) 518-457-7076; gary.domalewicz@agriculture.ny.gov


 
NY Harvest for NY Kids Week
Program Sponsors
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