December 2024
Hello Farm to Fork Friends!
Can you believe it’s already December? 2024 has been an incredible year for farm-to-school in Utah! We welcomed new team members and saw our network of advocates grow stronger every day. Exciting news: the USDA reported that 74.1% of schools nationwide participated in farm-to-school activities during SY 2022-23, reaching over 45.6 million students with local food! Stay tuned for our next newsletter, where we’ll dive into what these numbers look like in Utah.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in Harvest Gratitude Day this year! The one hour, virtual event included introductions from Kimberly Loveland, Director of Child Nutrition Programs at Utah State Board of Education, as well as three live virtual farm tours. This year, 29 schools and organizations enrolled, totaling 1,226 participants in 9 different counties.
Thanks to our amazing presenters!
Kimberly Loveland, Director of Child Nutrition Programs, USBE
Chalise Smith, Hee Haw Farms at Oliver’s Place (Pleasant Grove, UT)
Sarajane Snowden, Snowden Meats (Yampa, CO)
Savannah Centner, Charlie’s Produce (Salt Lake City, UT)
We were featured on a podcast! Huge thanks to Hunger Solutions for inviting us to discuss how farm-to-school initiatives help strengthen our local food system.
In this episode of Hunger Solutions in Utah, we dive into the Farm to Fork initiative, an innovative program designed to strengthen local food systems and bring Utah-grown foods to schools and communities across the state. Join host Brittney Johnson as she sits down with two inspiring leaders from this movement—Natalie McHale, a Farm to Fork advocate, and Dani Perez from the Utah School Board. Together, they share insights into the program’s goals, the journey of bringing fresh, local produce to Utah’s schools, and the impact of connecting students to the sources of their food. Tune in to explore how Farm to Fork is fostering healthier communities, supporting local farmers, and creating a more resilient food system for Utah!
What to Harvest This Month
While the ground is frosted, your harvest may be limited, but December remains a crucial month for planning and preparing for the upcoming growing season. Focus on protecting perennial plants from the cold by adding a layer of mulch around their base. If you’re fortunate enough to have a warm greenhouse, you may still be harvesting spinach and other leafy greens!
Still looking for creative ways to utilize your Thanksgiving leftovers? Try this delicious and simple Turkey Cranberry Sandwich from Super Healthy Kids!
Get Involved!
Registration is now open for 2025 Peer Learning Groups! These groups bring together a diverse range of community members united by a passion for our three core pillars: Local Procurement, Community Gardens, and Education
The Peer Learning Groups are designed to:
Foster Connections: Build a strong, collaborative network of individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing farm to school initiatives in Utah.
Share Updates: Stay informed about the latest developments, successes, and challenges in the Farm to School movement across the state.
Provide Feedback: Offer valuable insights and suggestions on resources and support needed in your specific area of work.
Enhance Learning: Gain knowledge and inspiration from fellow participants to effectively contribute to the farm to school movement.
Groups Include:
Local Health Departments (Environmental Health)
Early Childcare Education (TOP Star)
Farmers and Producers
Tribal Organizations
Chefs
Food Distributors
Families and Students
School Gardens (indoor and outdoor)
Higher Learning Institutions
School Nutrition Teams
Health Care Professionals
Food Educators
Help support youth nutrition by participating in these two surveys!
Are you currently involved in a farm-to-school program? The National Farm to School Network and Colorado State University are studying farm-to-school coordination nationwide. Your participation in this survey will help shape support for farm-to-school programs and develop advocacy tools for coordinators and advocates across the country. Complete the survey here!
The Institute of Child Nutrition Applied Research Division (ARD) invites you to take a 15-minute anonymous survey on food trends in K-12 schools. Your input will help improve child nutrition programs by shaping resources, education, and training. Complete the survey here!
Resources and Trainings
Nourish Smart: Food Waste Reduction Program | January 8 | Kaysville, UT | Apply here!
Attention secondary teachers! Utah State University’s Hunger Solutions Institute and Utah Agriculture in the Classroom are offering a Food Waste Reduction Professional Development workshop for grades 6-12 educators. This workshop integrates food waste topics into Utah’s core curriculum, covering the origins of food, the environmental impact of food waste, and solutions to reduce its carbon footprint. Participants will also learn how to conduct lunchroom food audits and reduce food waste at school and home.
This workshop is free to attend, will include dinner, and each attendee will receive a classroom resource kit (worth up to $100), a $100 stipend, as well as USBE relicensure hours.
Food Justice
USDA Eliminates School Meal Processing Fees for Low-Income Families
Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, families eligible for free or reduced-price meals will no longer face extra fees when adding funds to their child’s meal account. According to the USDA, this is just the first step in eliminating school meal processing fees. The department is working toward ensuring that families of all income levels can add funds to their child’s meal account without paying extra fees. Learn more here!
Job Opportunities
Full-Season Elementary Programs Instructor Position | Youth Garden Project | Moab, UT | Apply here!
We are looking for individuals interested in working as an educator in a hands-on, outdoor setting within a variety of our elementary educational programs and occasional middle and high school programs. In the spring & fall, we host up to three after-school programs, lead Garden Classroom field trips, and run a Spring Break and Fall Break camp—all of which will be facilitated primarily by two instructors. During the summer, four instructors collaborate to implement our nine-week Summer Camp program. YGP Summer Camp provides much needed hands-on, high-quality child care for 1st – 6th graders during the summer break.
Extension Faculty in the Home and Community Department | Utah State University | Cedar City, UT | Apply here!
Utah State University Extension is hiring a County Extension Faculty member in Iron County for a 12-month tenure-track or non-tenure-track role in the Home and Community Department. The position involves developing and delivering research-based educational programs, recruiting and supervising volunteers, and serving as a liaison between local communities and the university. Areas of expertise may include family and consumer sciences, health and wellness, mental health, food safety, nutrition, finance, community and economic development, and related fields.
Do you have a farm to fork job opportunity you'd like us to share? Let us know! Jobs must be located in Utah or fully remote.
Funding Opportunities
Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program requests are now open! Apply here!
The USDA awards grants annually to help connect students to the sources of their food through education, taste tests, school gardens, field trips, and local food sourcing for school meals. Check out this fact sheet for an overview of the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program and highlights Farm to School grantee projects.
This year the RFA has been split into three separate solicitations:
Implementation Grant
State Agency Grant
Turnkey Grant
We would love to see more organizations and schools in Utah apply! Interested for this fiscal year or the future? Let us know!
Youth Garden Grant | KidsGardening | Due December 13 | Apply here!
Since 1982, the Youth Garden Grant has supported school and youth educational garden projects that enhance the quality of life for youth and their communities. In early 2025, 50 organizations will be awarded $500 in funding for their youth garden program.
You'll hear from us again next month. In the meantime, we'd love to hear from you!