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District highlights $150,000 Farm‑to‑School grant and reach of farm field trips
Summary
Nutrition services described a $150,000 Farm‑to‑School expansion grant and three core activities—farm field trips, mini farmers markets and Harvest of the Month—reporting roughly 3,400 students attended farm trips and about 1,500 TK–1 students attended mini markets.
The district’s nutrition services department told the board it received a $150,000 California Department of Food and Agriculture Farm‑to‑School Expansion grant and used it to expand student farm experiences and local procurement.
Liliana Montenegro, district nutritionist, described three grant activities: Old Grove farm field trips for second–fifth (and cited up to sixth) grades, Old Grove mini farmers markets for TK–first grade, and a Harvest‑of‑the‑Month tasting and curriculum at elementary schools. Montenegro said approximately 3,400 second‑through‑sixth‑grade students attended farm field trips between April 2023 and May 2024 and about 1,500 TK–first graders participated in mini markets.
She credited longtime local partner Old Grove (farm/food hub) and school staff for accessibility accommodations and parent engagement, and noted the program had increased locally sourced produce on cafeteria menus to roughly 40% of fruit and vegetable options. The presentation included outreach and inclusion details—wheelchair access and augmentative communication supports—and noted the department won a county recognition for fresh‑fruit efforts.
Board members and administrators praised the program’s student engagement and asked staff to continue connections with local farmers as the initiative moves into the 2024–25 year.
