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Ohio Farm to School Monthly Newsletter
Cultivators + Classrooms + Cafeterias
Issue #14 | December 2022
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Welcome to the December edition of the Ohio Farm to School monthly newsletter featuring Farm to School highlights, including a holiday recipe! This newsletter shares Farm to School initiatives, school garden tips, upcoming events and opportunities! |
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Local Beef Procurement
 Stark County and Tuscarawas County Fairs provided Minerva Elementary School and Tuscarawas Valley students with locally procured beef. According to Stacey Bettis, food service director of Minerva Local, Tuscarawas Valley Local and Brown Local school districts, education is their farm to school goal. Bettis and Ohio Department of Education partnered and used blind bidding in the procurement process. The Ohio-raised steers were part of students’ 4-H projects and produced 800 pounds of hamburger meat used to make tacos, sloppy joes and spaghetti sauce. This work benefitted local communities and the schools.
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Ohio Farm to School
Cuyahoga County
The Ohio Department of Education Office of Nutrition’s mascot, Munch the Fox, visited Parma Park Elementary School. As part of their Farm to School programming, students can taste test and learn about a new fruit or vegetable weekly. Munch visited the lunchroom and encouraged students to try roasted beets, the day’s featured vegetable. |
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Mahoning County
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The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center established a school farm four years ago. Anthony Cycyk, Kasey Clark and their students manage the farm. The one-acre farm grows produce used in the school’s breakfast and lunch. In the first growing season, one ton of vegetables were harvested. Farm production has continued successfully. The students and teachers recently installed an eight-foot deer fence and continually improve the farm. |
Fayette County
Miami Trace Elementary School offers monthly fruit and vegetable taste test days. As part of their school lunch programming, Munch encouraged the students to try the day’s featured produce, a mixture of orange and yellow carrots, sweet potatoes, red onions and parsnips. |
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Selecting, Storing and Serving Ohio Produce
Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences offers a newly revised fact sheet series. The fact sheets also provide food preservation tactics. Learn more about local produce, food safety and preservation using these resources.
School Garden Tips for December
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Keep raised beds covered as the weather grows cold and make a classroom plant care plan for holiday breaks! Growing Franklin publishes school garden tips weekly. These are a great source of support for school gardeners and students! |
Resources
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Life Lab Garden Educator Training
Garden-based education can foster a love of learning, an appreciation of healthy food and connection to nature. Become a confident and knowledgeable garden educator that inspires students with this training consisting of four courses. Participants will receive a certificate and the distinction of being a Life Lab – Certified Garden Educator.
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Dig In! Standards-Based Nutrition Education
The USDA developed a series of lesson plans that are focused on growing, harvesting and tasting. Fifth and sixth graders can engage and learn about fruits and vegetables! Explore a world of possibilities using their ten inquiry-based lessons.
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Munch and Farm to School Visit Requests
A special guest can add fun to any school event, such as school garden harvesting, summer meal kick-off and taste testing events. The Ohio Department of Education Office of Nutrition’s mascot, Munch the Fox, and Ohio Farm to School Network representatives visit Ohio school districts’ special events by request. Visits can highlight Ohio Farm to School initiatives and events that prioritize child nutrition! |
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Recipe of the Month
Sweet potatoes and apples are sources of dietary fiber that keep school-age kids full and focused all day. The USDA created a Sweet Potato and Apple Bake, providing holiday season sweetness and warmth. The recipe provides one-eighth cup red/orange vegetable and one-eighth cup fruit.
The Child Nutrition Recipe Box’s Recipes for Schools page and SNAP-Ed connection’s Healthy, Thrifty Holiday Menus page provide holiday menu inspiration.
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Want to be featured in the next monthly newsletter and on Ohio's Farm to School Websites? Share your F2S success stories with us! Submit your F2S Success Story here!
News & Events
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Farm to School Resource Database - Request for Submissions
Farm to school programs incorporate local foods into Child Nutrition Programs and provide agricultural education opportunities. The Farm to School Submission Form allows USDA Farm to School grantees, State agencies and other partner organizations to submit farm to school resources and training materials for inclusion on the CNSS Resource Hub.
The 2023 Farm to School Grant Request for Applications
USDA will award up to $12 million in competitive grants to eligible entities through the Farm to School Grant Program in FY 2023. Each grant helps implement farm to school programs. The RFA must be completed and submitted on www.Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on January 6, 2023.
Cooperative Agreement for Healthy Meals Incentives SFST Challenge Sub-Grants - Request for Applications
USDA will award up to $50 million for cooperative agreements to eligible entities who will offer competitive School Food System Transformation (SFST) Challenge Sub-Grants. The grants will support collaborative projects partnering with non-governmental entities, SFAs and the food industry. The RFA must be completed and submitted on www.Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on February 1, 2023.
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NFSN December Living Room Session
Living Room Sessions are an informal setting with National Farm to School Network (NFSN) partners. Hear updates about NFSN’s equity journey, connect with others, offer feedback and ask questions in “office hours”. Register and join the session on December 13, 2022.
NFSN Advisory Board Nominations
National Farm to School Network (NSFN) is taking nominations for a strong and diverse 2023 Advisory Board committed to advancing NFSN’s Mission, Vision, Values and Call to Action. NFSN board members have several duties and responsibilities, including attending quarterly meetings. Submit nominations by 5:00 p.m. ET on December 23, 2022.
Ohio Farm to School Network Quarterly Meeting
Mark your calendar for the next Ohio Farm to School State Network meeting on March 9, 2023.
For more information on Ohio Farm to School, visit the website and Facebook page.
Farm to School Job Opportunity
Apply for the Farm to School Nutrition Coordinator position with Parma City School District. The position leads the District’s Farm to School program while carrying out National School Lunch and Breakfast policies.
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Thank you to the following newsletter contributors:
Authors:
Haley Scott, Ohio Farm to School Program Assistant, Ohio State University Extension
Lauren Preston, Ohio Farm to School Program Intern, Ohio State University Extension
Kara Johnson, Ohio Department of Education Office of Nutrition Intern
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