The School Food Service (SFS) Department continued to promote the Farm to School efforts throughout the 2013-2014 school year. Each quarter, the SFS Department and the District’s Purchasing Department work together to obtain quotes from the approved vendors to ensure fresh produce is offered through the District menus. The Farm to School produce is highlighted as “Fresh from the Farm” and includes a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Throughout the school year, students were offered corn cobbettes, green beans, tomatoes, oranges, strawberries, squash and zucchini mix, and carrot/green bean medley.

At the beginning of the year, each school received a set of 10 vibrantly colored fruit and vegetable posters that were hung inside the serving line. The posters were a way to educate students about Florida grown produce and promoted MyPlate. A monthly poster schedule was created to align with the growing season and lesson plans were made available for teachers and staff.

From November 18 – November 22, 2013 the SFS Department supported the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Florida Farm to School Week. During this week, the SFS Department coordinated three school visits for “Bring a Farmer to School Day.” The following schools welcomed the opportunity for a local farmer to visit their school. On Tuesday, November 19th, Bedner Farms visited West Gate Elementary Afterschool Program and Pero Family Farms visited S.D. Spady Elementary Afterschool Program. Friday, November 22nd Localecopia and a local honey farmer visited Galaxy Elementary (K-2 students). In addition, the SFS Department promoted Farm to School Week on the November 2013 school lunch menus.

February is a great month for Florida strawberries to make their debut in the school cafeterias and this past year was no exception. During the week of February 3, 2014 the first crop of strawberries were ordered and over 8,400 pounds were purchased. The SFS Department drafted a press release to announce the return of Florida grown strawberries and that more than 40,000 student servings had been purchased. During the same week, the Palm Beach Post visited Jupiter Elementary to capture the strawberry offerings and highlight the District’s Farm to School initiative. The SFS Department was able to offer strawberries twice throughout the month of February for a combined purchase total of 17,000 pounds.

In addition to supporting the school-based events already highlighted, the District also participated in numerous local events to promote Farm to School: