Updates and Announcements
Traders Hill Farm In 2018, a small greenhouse farm in Hilliard, Florida embarked on a journey that would not only revolutionize the way we think about food but also transform school meals across the state. What started as an ambitious project driven by its founders’ interest in indoor farming, aquaponics, and the growing need for…
Explore three new funding opportunities from the United States Department of Agriculture to support your Farm to School program. Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Programs The USDA has opened two Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program opportunities for the 2025 fiscal year to increase the availability of local foods in schools and connect…
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness (FNW) is thrilled to announce the latest expansion of our Florida Farm to School initiative – Virtual Farm Field Trips! Available to teachers, parents and students, our immersive Virtual Farm Field Trip videos take students on a learning adventure to…
Florida schools have been growing Farm to School programs in their cafeterias for several years. The state’s long growing season and variety of commodities give schools the opportunity to source local and fresh produce year-round. Columbia County School District Food Services fully embraces Farm to School to “support the educational mission of the Columbia County…
At the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness (FNW), we are dedicated to ensuring every student across our state has access to nutritious, delicious school meals to help them grow and thrive. That’s why we are thrilled to introduce our Lunch180 Cookbook – a comprehensive new resource…
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services held its first Food Recovery Challenge, where schools across the state shared their commitment to reducing waste in their cafeteria. In the 2023-2024 school year, 3,777 schools participating in the National School Lunch Program are implementing food waste reduction practices in Florida. There are more than 625…
Schools play a special role in not only reducing and recycling food waste, but also in educating the next generation about the importance of food conservation and recovering wholesome excess food. To help raise awareness about the amount of food discarded from school cafeterias, The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food,…
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to Launch “Bringing the Farm to School” Producer Trainings Beginning November 2023, The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness will launch the first in a series of statewide “Bringing the Farm to School” producer trainings. These trainings are an opportunity for…
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. – This week, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) hosted its annual Florida Farm to School Conference from March 9-10 in Central Florida to connect with schools, distributors, and producers across the state to increase Florida products served in schools. The conference was a two-day event where participants learned about…