For Immediate Release: September 30, 2022
Contact: Charles Pyle (804) 371-2420
RICHMOND — Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow is encouraging schools and communities across the commonwealth to celebrate Virginia Farm to School Week, October 3-7. The Virginia Farm to School Network, formed in 2018, connects schools with local food producers to purchase fresh, healthy foods for school cafeterias, preschools and summer feeding programs while enhancing educational opportunities in school gardens, classrooms and cafeterias.
"Farm to School is important to schools, communities and Virginia's economy. Strategies like local procurement, school gardens, farm visits and agricultural education are ways to engage all three,” Balow said. “When schools and producers collaborate to help students learn about where food comes from and how healthy locally grown food is for our bodies, everyone thrives."
“Farm to School programs enrich the relationships of farmers, students and local communities,” Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Joseph Guthrie said. “Farm to School programs increase student access to fresh Virginia Grown food, which helps improve nutrition and health, while also connecting the commonwealth’s rich agricultural resources with the next generation through hands-on learning opportunities in a variety of educational settings. In addition, Farm to School programs support local producers and processors, which helps create new jobs and strengthen the local economy.”
All Virginians are encouraged to make some noise for local Farm to School programs on Thursday, October 6 by celebrating the sixth annual “Crunch Heard ‘Round the Commonwealth.” This social media campaign features Virginians taking a bite out of a Virginia Grown apple and sharing their images and videos on social media to increase awareness about Virginia Farm to School programs.
"Virginia Farm to School programs increase access to fresh, healthy, Virginia Grown food while providing hands-on learning opportunities for students and strengthening the connection between school communities and local growers and producers," said VDOE School Nutrition Director, Sandra Curwood.
According to the latest report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 125 school divisions in the commonwealth have active Farm to School programs.
Participants in Farm to School Week activities are encouraged to use the hashtags #VAFarmToSchool and #VACrunch, and to share their posts with VDOE’s Office of School Nutrition Programs @VDOESNP. Additional information about celebrating Virginia Farm to School Week and the Crunch Heard ‘Round the Commonwealth is available on the VDACS and VDOE websites.
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