On June 18, 2024 more than 100 educators, Child Nutrition Program (CNP) operators
and other farm to school stakeholders gathered at Chatham University’s Eden Hall Campus for
the Pennsylvania Farm to Child Nutrition Summit.

The event was coordinated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of
Food and Nutrition and Penn State University (Project PA) with the support of the Pennsylvania
Farm to School Network. Funding was provided by a USDA Farm to School Formula Grant.
On June 17 th , pre-summit tours to Freeman Family Farm and Greenhouse and Freight
Farm, both in Pittsburgh, showcased the work of the summit keynote speakers, Lisa Freeman
and Tacumba Turner, respectively. A tour was also offered at Community Agricultural
Partnership at Summit, an elementary school in the Butler Area School District with a strong
focus on agriculture.

The overarching purpose of the summit was to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and
networking among CNP operators, establish connections between CNP operators and
producers, showcase farm to child nutrition “best practices,” and deliver educational
opportunities regarding the environmental, economic, nutritional, and equitable value of
growing foods.

This goal was accomplished through general sessions and breakout sessions addressing
topics such as implementing PA Harvest of the Month, gardening in early care and education
and school settings, funding farm to school initiatives, engaging students in agriculture
experiences, local procurement, and more.

Participants were also given the chance to take a tour of the Eden Hall Campus to view
the aquaculture lab, solar high tunnel, and dairy barn. Educational displays showcasing the PA
Farm to School Network, PA Friends of Agriculture Foundation, PA Harvest of the Month, and
USDA Food and Nutrition Service were also available for participants to view.

Another Farm to Child Nutrition Summit is planned for 2026. The date and location are
to be determined. There will be a call for presentations for that event. All farm to school/farm
to child nutrition stakeholders are encouraged to be thinking about what they might propose to
share at that convening!