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Farm to School



In This Section Section Home 2020-21 School Year Current Menus School Meal Box FAQ Locations Special Diets Holiday Meal Box Enrichment Activities Our Food Menus Recipes Minnesota Thursdays Special Dietary Needs Nutrition + Ingredients Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Smart Snacks Vending Vending FAQ Application + Payments Application for Educational Benefits Application & Payment FAQ Payments Our Programs Farm to School Farms Local Foods Toolkit Farm Videos School Gardens Great Lakes Apple Crunch Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Waste Reduction Summer Program True Food True Food Chef Council True Food Taste Tests True Food Backgrounds Junior Iron Chef Education Videos Wellness Active School Day Active Recess Healthy Eating Smart Snacks in School Rethink Your Drink Healthy Celebrations & Rewards Safe Routes to School Program Summary Arrival and Dismissal Biking Education Bus Stop & Walk Maps Pedestrian Education Safe Routes Network Travel Plans Walk and Bike to School Events Walking Bus 2014 Highlight Email news Winter Cycling Congress MPS Teacher Resources WBF Let's Roll MPS Wellness Policy Urban Education Farm Feasibility Study Home Wellness Resources Catering & Food Trucks Vended Meals Employment Contact Contact Us Staff Directory CWS Staff Search	Farm to School Culinary & Wellness Services > Our Programs > Farm to School Farm to School Since 2013, Minneapolis Public Schools has partnered with local farms to buy fresh, healthy foods for our students. Our Farm to School Program is a WIN-WIN-WIN! We support our neighboring farmers, provide our kids with fresh and flavorful food, and contribute to our local economy. MPS partners with 13 small to medium sized farms and farmer cooperatives that are located within 250 miles of the Twin Cities and use sustainable or certified organic practices. Our district's Farm to School Program has three main components: Local Food MPS works directly with local farms to sources as much fresh produce as possible! We also make it a priority to buy other local products like meats, salsas, and baked goods. We distinguish our different levels of local purchasing by: Farm to School - produce grown by small and mid-sized farmers using sustainable growing methods, typically within 100 miles of the Twin Cities; and Local - produce, meat, and other food items grown or produced within 250 miles of the Twin Cities. Food Education We work with partners to provide hands-on opportunities for students to learn about food, nutrition and agriculture. We host special events and promotions like Minnesota Thursdays, conduct taste tests of fresh and flavorful new items, bring our farmer partners into school classrooms and cafeterias, support school gardens, and host student groups at our MPS Education Farm to engage students in hands-on learning. Community Engagement We partner with nonprofit organizations, businesses, families and community members to assure that our Farm to School Program is rooted in the community. We highlight exciting happenings in our biweekly e-newsletter—The Whole Carrot, partner with organization and community members on special events such as our annual Farm to School Community BBQ, attend and present at conferences and events, and participate in local and national coalitions like Homegrown Minneapolis Food Counciland the National Farm to School Network. MPS Culinary & Wellness Services prides itself on working closely with both local and national farm to school partners. If you are interested in working with us, please contact Kate Seybold, Farm to School Coordinator.		More Information Farms Local Foods Toolkit Farm Videos School Gardens Great Lakes Apple Crunch Farm to School Items in Meal Boxes While things might look a little different this school year due to COVID-19, MPS Culinary & Wellness Services remains committed to supporting our local farms and providing students with fresh, high-quality vegteables and fruits that taste great. Find out what Farm to School items are in our school meal boxes: September 7 - 11 September 14 - 18 September 21 - 25 September 28 - October 2 October 5 - 9 October 12 & 13 October 19 - 23 October 26 - 30 Farm to School Education Resources Farm to School creates opportunities for students to eat and learn about healthy, local foods! USDA Dig In! Lessons: Ten interactive lessons for 5th-6th graders focusing on growing, harvesting, tasting, and learning about a variety of fruits and vegetables. MN Ag in the Classroom Kits: Free classroom lesson kits offered on a monthly basis. These kits are available for all grade levels, focus on Minnesota agriculture, and meet Minnesota state standards. MN Ag in the Classroom Teacher Tours: Tours available throughout the summer for teachers to visit farms and gardens, gain resources, and ideas for interactive ways to bring agriculture into the classroom. Growing Minds Farm to School Resources: Lesson plans and recipes searchable by grade level and topic, ranging from cooking to gardening to soil health. Edible Schoolyard Project Resource Library: Search for lesson plans for garden, lunchroom, kitchen, and indoor classroom settings, available for all grade levels. Farm to School Leadership Curriculum: A guide and six lesson plans aimed at helping high school students learn about local food systems with interactive classroom activities, while strengthening their Farm to School program.