Major Funding Available for New and Existing Farm to School Programs
South Carolina Department of Agriculture
Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner
Media Contact: Meredith Atkinson, 803-734-2196, matkinson@scda.sc.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 19, 2015
Major Funding Available for New and Existing Farm to School Programs
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Farm to School encourages school districts to apply for funds available through the SC Farm to School Program for use toward farm to school initiatives.
The South Carolina Farm to School program facilitates partnerships between farms and schools to serve locally grown and minimally processed foods in school meals. Core goals of the Farm to School program include increasing the number of farmers who are certified to provide locally grown products into schools; providing education to food service directors, staff, and teachers on Farm to School practices; and promoting healthy eating among students through hands-on learning activities.
Participating schools feature at least two fruits and vegetables from local sources on school menus per month, incorporate nutrition and agriculture education into classroom curriculum, and maintain a school vegetable garden. Funds can be applied toward activities related to the development of farm to school programs as a strategy to promote healthy school environments.
Research shows that farm to school programs can improve school nutrition by exposing students to fresh fruits and vegetables and promoting healthy eating habits. In a study of a California farm to school program, students and adults preferred the salad bar over the hot lunch by a 14 to 1 ratio.
Interested schools can view a technical assistance webinar, available on the SC Farm to School Website www.scfarmtoschool.com on March 25, 2015. Prospective applicants can view the request for proposals here. Applications are due May 1 by 5 p.m.
About South Carolina Farm to School
The SC Farm to School Program is a joint effort of the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, SC Department of Agriculture, SC Department of Education, SC Department of Social Services, and Clemson University. For more information about the South Carolina Farm to School program, please visit http://scfarmtoschool.com/.
For more information, contact:
Amy Weaver
Statewide Farm to School Coordinator
aweaver@scda.sc.gov
803-734-0467
2015 Funding Available for Farm to School Programs Press Release