Child & Apple (© Thomas Perkins | Dreamstime.com)

Thanks to Farm to School programs across the nation, kids are learning what foodies have known all along; fresh fruits are sweeter and more flavorful than produce shipped from many miles away. Fresher also means more nutritious. Buying fresh supports local farmers and their families, and helps preserve the community’s farmland for future generations.

The Farm to School programs connect schools with local farms to ensure that healthy meals are served in school cafeterias. The goal is to provide health and nutrition education that will last a lifetime, while building lasting support for local small farmers.

The National Farm to School Program is a collaboration of the Center for Food & Justice and the Community Food Security Coalition. Since its founding in 2000, it has been successfully assisting organizations in starting up and sustaining farm to school efforts, fundraising, and providing informational resources, education and training for farm to school stakeholders.

According to the organization’s web site:

Schools buy and feature farm fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, meat, and beans on their menus; incorporate nutrition-based curriculum; and provide students experiential learning opportunities through farm visits, gardening and recycling programs. Farmers have access to a new market through schools and connect to their community through participation in programs designed to educate kids about local food and sustainable agriculture.

To learn more about the programs that are making a difference to kids' health go to: The National Farm to School Program