Every October, schools, early care sites, farmers, and communities across the country come together to celebrate National Farm to School (FTS) Month. This month shines a spotlight on the many ways farm to school strengthens our communities—by connecting children with fresh, nutritious foods, supporting local farmers, and helping young people understand where their food comes from. Farm to school isn’t just about what’s on the lunch tray-it’s about creating lifelong healthy habits, strengthening local food systems, building up communities, and establishing a deeper connection with the earth and all its gifts. 

There are countless ways to celebrate this month. Get some inspiration from these local stories: 

This is a great time to feature a locally grown item on the menu. Check out how Unionville-Chadds Ford School District partnered with the PA Beef Council to feature locally sourced beef and tomatoes in their school kitchens. 

Establishing strong connections is essential in FTS programs. These relationships not only make it possible to source food locally but also create opportunities for hands-on agriculture education. One inspiring example comes from Donegal School District, which has established a close partnership with local farms. Through this collaboration, students have benefited from a variety of exciting experiences, including farm field trips and interactive learning about where their food comes from.

Getting students involved in leadership positions is extremely important for FTS projects to flourish. Learn how students in Gettysburg Area School District had the chance to create their own meal, present it to their classmates, and get it on the lunch menu for the whole school to try. In the School District of Philadelphia, students from different schools worked together to complete FTS research projects. Students engaged in hands-on gardening and learned about food systems while working to address a topic of their choosing through school gardens.

No matter how big or small, every activity contributes to a larger movement that nourishes children, supports family farmers, and strengthens our communities. This October, we invite you to join in the celebration. Here are some additional resources to help you do so.

Share Your Story: The PA Farm to School Network is celebrating by hosting the National Farm to School Month Storytelling Contest. Submit your story by 11:59 pm on November 7 to be entered into the raffle to win some excellent prizes. Fill out this survey to nominate yourself or someone you know who has a story to share, and we will reach out with more information!
 

• PFSN National Farm to School Month Resource Guide. Find even more ideas in this blog post.
• Purchase PA Preferred® produce and celebrate a locally sourced PA Preferred Day in the cafeteria. Find resources for sourcing local food in this blog post and on the USDA’s Procuring Local Foods webpage.
• Invite your local legislators to see your farm to school programming using this resource, Inviting Legislators to Your Events. Building relationships with your legislators is a great way to support systemic changes that can further farm to school programs. 
• Host an after-school cooking club in the cafeteria! Find inspiration for your cooking club in Erie School District’s success story.
• Invite a farmer or food producer to eat with students in the lunchroom or to host a farm stand. Check out this example from Welsh Elementary School in Philadelphia, which partnered with HayDay Farms to host a farm stand during Back to School Night.
• Share photos and videos with your community and on social media! Be sure to use #PAFarmtoSchool. 
• For more, check out the National Farm to School Network’s National FTS Month main page.
  

Visit pafarmtoschool.org/national-farm-to-school-month and farmtoschool.org/our-work/farm-to-school-month for more information.