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2023-24 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program Update
The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) team has been hard at work reviewing and scoring the 2023-24 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program applications. CDFA-F2F is wrapping up the review process and is excited to announce the grant awards soon.
Stay tuned for a special announcement, highlighting the award recipients of the third cohort of this grant program!
USDA Farm to School Grant Program
On July 15, 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a record-breaking $14.3 million award distribution for the 2024 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants to 154 projects in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico.
CDFA-F2F is excited to share that its Farm to School Program has received a grant award to host eight in-person regional gatherings across California to improve access to local foods in eligible Child Nutrition Program sites through comprehensive farm to school programming that includes local sourcing and agricultural education efforts. Regional gatherings will serve the following farm to school stakeholders: school nutrition programs, educators, food producers, supply chain partners, and farm to school support organizations.
CDFA would also like to extend a congratulations to all of the recipients of this grant program, especially the other California organizations awarded: Butte County Local Food Network, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Eat Real Certified Inc., Every Neighborhood Partnership, Fiery Ginger Farm, Friends of School of the Arts Foundation, Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center Inc., Pasadena Unified School District, San Diego Youth Services, Sequoia Union Elementary School District, Soil Born Farm Urban Agriculture Project, Turning Green, and Upland Unified School District!
Click here to view the full list of award recipients.
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Grant Project Highlights
 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program grantees are hard at work implementing grant projects and transforming the school food system! Read below to learn more about the Palm Springs Unified School District's grant project!
The Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) received California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program funds in 2021 and 2022. One of their project goals is to strengthen contractual relationships with local farmers by bringing them to campuses to cultivate and refurbish school gardens, host farmers' markets, and expand nutrition education through digital menu boards.
Throughout school year 2023-2024, PSUSD hosted farmers' markets with locally grown produce at 26 of its 27 school sites. At the markets, students learned about the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables and met face to face with the local farmers growing the produce that they eat in their cafeterias.
Local farmers who have participated in PSUSD's programming include Mark Tadros from Aziz Farms in Thermal, CA, Anna and Bob Knight from Old Grove Orange in Redlands, CA, and Loren Werth from Food 4 Thought LLC in Fresno, CA.
Do you want to learn more about the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program? Let's talk! Please email your questions to cafarmtoschool@cdfa.ca.gov.
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Power of Produce Club at Crescent City Farmers' Market in North Coast Region
 Recently, CDFA Farm to School Network Lead Pamela Lee visited the Power of Produce (POP) Club at the Crescent City Farmers' Market! The POP Club provides a fun opportunity for children to engage in the local food system through conversations directly with farmers, educational games and demonstrations, and exposure to new fruits and vegetables.
In addition to participating in educational activities, POP Club kids receive vouchers to spend at the market, allowing them to make their own shopping decisions at the market. Click here to learn more.
To get involved and join the farm to school momentum in the North Coast Region, reach out to Farm to School Network Lead Pamela Lee at Pamela.Lee@cdfa.ca.gov.
To connect with a farm to school team member in your region, visit the About Us dropdown on the CA Farm to School Program page.
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San Luis Coastal Unified School District Hosts Summer Culinary Experience Program
 The San Luis Coastal Unified School District (SLCUSD) recently hosted a Summer Experience Program, which provides opportunities for students to learn culinary skills and a deeper understanding of the local food system. The SLCUSD Food and Nutrition Services Department hosts culinary classes across five school sites, serving about 1,000 students. The kids love taste testing new recipes and local items, especially ones they see on the school lunch menu!
As a CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program recipient, this program intentionally connects the garden, cafeteria, and classroom. We're so excited to see it thriving!
Chef Ann Foundation Resources for Implementing Standard Operating Procedures
 The Chef Ann Foundation offers 15 free downloadable resources (in English and Spanish) on The Lunch Box for school food professionals looking to enhance their skills.
These resources for implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) in school food service operations focus on safe food handling, services, sales, and inventory - can be used to help school food programs streamline processes, enhance performance, and overall improve efficiency.
Click here to learn more.
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Quarterly Farm to Early Care and Education Community of Practice
July 24th, 2024 @ 4:30-5:30pm PT
via Zoom
Join CDFA, California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on July 24, 2024, to hear from two California providers on how they integrate Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) into their programming, with a moderated panel discussion and audience Q&A. CDSS, CDFA, and CDPH will also share Farm to ECE resources available to support your programs.
As registration for the live call is limited, two options are offered to view the call:
1. If you would like to join live AND receive the recording please register HERE
2. If you would like to ONLY receive the recording please register HERE
School Garden Network: Cooking from the Garden Workshop
 Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Shone Farm (Forestville, CA)
Join the School Garden Network for its Cooking in the Garden Workshop on August 7, to gain new skills, ideas, garden recipes, and a supportive network of school garden peers!
This workshop will guide participants through hands-on garden harvest and cooking demonstrations whilst exploring cutting-edge nutrition and seasonal nourishment education. Food literacy concepts will be taught through a lens of food equity, access, and trauma-informed learning.
Click here to learn more.
Registration Open for California Agriculture in the Classroom Conference
 September 27-29, 2024
Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa
Join the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) in Costa Mesa, CA, this September for the 37th Annual Ag in the Classroom Conference! This is an opportunity to collaborate with fellow educators who share your passion for agriculture.
The AITC conference is designed for Pre-K-12 educators, administrators, and volunteers to come together to learn and share how to incorporate food and fiber into all curricular areas.
Early Bird Registration: $365 (July 1 - August 16)
Regular Registration: $385 (August 17 - September 13)
Click here to learn more or register.
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Farm Discovery at Live Earth Hiring Field Manager
 Farm Discovery at Live Earth in Santa Cruz County is looking for a highly motivated, detail-oriented and energetic person to join the team as Field Manager. This position will lead the food/farming programming, including a revamped apprentice program and support all education programs. This role is the primary organizer and leader for all youth farming components of our core programming.
Additional components of this position include managing the up to 3-acre Education area, including Discovery Garden, Education Fields, small goatherd and chicken flocks, as well as coordinating with farm staff and volunteers to accomplish large seasonal projects.
Click here to learn more or apply.
Center for Land Based Learning
 The Center for Land-Based Learning's (CLBL) Student and Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship (SLEWS) Program is growing! CLBL is hiring a full-time coordinator who will operate programming in San Joaquin and Sacramento counties. This position will work from Lodi, CA, with travel within San Joaquin and Sacramento counties and occasionally beyond.
This member of CLBL's team will help teach high school students leadership and workforce skills and inspire them to become the next generation of agriculture leaders and natural resource stewards.
Click here to learn more or apply.
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We Want to Hear From You!
Do you have feedback, ideas or a success story for the CA Farm to School Network? Please reach out to us and share! Whether it's sending us an email or tagging us on social media, we are here to help you grow!
Instagram - @cafarmtoschool
Email - cafarmtoschool@cdfa.ca.gov
It's our goal to support changemakers on the ground however we can, and the best way for us to provide that help is through clear communication! Choose your favorite method to get in touch!
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