“When you get the opportunity to do something like this, it’s so special,” says Sandra Snyder, Director of Foundation Relations and Special Events with the Diocese of Scranton. Sandra is a Pennsylvania Farm to School Program grantee whose work is highlighted in a new resource from The Food Trust, The Pennsylvania Farm to School Grant Program: Stories from the Field. To date, more than 130 projects have been funded by this important program which aims to improve access to healthy, local foods and increase agriculture education opportunities for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
The following grantees and topics are highlighted in this resource:
- Lawrence County Community Action Partnership: On-site gardening, local produce in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), culinary education, special events like Ag Learning Days;
- Diocese of Scranton: On-site gardening, partnering with local producers to provide meal kits for families during the pandemic;
- Methodist Services: On-site farm, workforce development, local produce in CACFP, teaching garden, Kids in the Kitchen series;
- Penn Ridge School District: Multiple on-site gardens throughout the district, cafeteria connections, staff training; and
- The US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI): Outdoor learning, gardening.
Please read more about the incredible work of these grantees and consider applying for a Pennsylvania Farm to School Grant in future cycles. The Request for Applications will be made available soon and will support projects taking place during the 2022-2023 school year. Stay tuned for more information!