 MyPlate, MyState is the newest component of MyPlate, MyWins. MyPlate,
MyState asks: What foods, flavors, and recipes is your
state/territory known for, and how do they fit into your healthy eating
style?
Foods
and flavors from every state and territory in this nation can help us
all create lasting healthy eating styles. Healthy eating
styles are not rigid plans, but rather can be adapted to
include foods that you enjoy that meet your personal and cultural
preferences and fit within your budget.
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 Personalizing your plate with your favorite local and seasonal foods may
be the key to help you create recipes and balanced meals that work for
your healthy eating style!
Additionally, MyPlate, MyState brings communities together to increase awareness and appreciation for local farmers, ranchers, and producers.
Throughout October, follow MyPlate on Twitter and Facebook for more ways you can engage with #MyPlateMyState;
we will highlight state agricultural activities, emphasize seasonal
foods, and celebrate fun food holidays, like Pumpkin Day!
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 Additionally,
every state and territory has a specific state page on ChooseMyPlate.gov; look to these pages for information on foods commonly grown, raised, or produced in your state and much more. Each state page also has coloring pages and graphics to download.
We hope everyone shows pride in their state, their local foods, and their plates by posting #MyPlateMyState
photos. Show creativity, be colorful, and get healthy!
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Schools Are Making a BIG Impact
Watch this new video to learn how farm to school is making a
difference all across the country. Take one small step and share this video
across your networks!
Pictured above from left to right: Samantha Benjamin-Kirk, Kristie Hubbard, Danielle Fleury, Lauryn Hong, Andrea Northup, Rachel Spencer, Jenna Segal, Jerilin Nunu, Matt Benson, Christina Conell, Matt Russell
There are farm to school crunches happening across the country this October! Check out these events for inspiration:
We wanted to join the fun! The USDA team gathered a few weeks ago and we took a minute to crunch into some local apples.
We challenge you to show us your #F2SCrunch!
Celebrate Farm to School Month with One Small Step - Watch a webinar!
We're partnering with the National Farm to School Network, USDA's Rural Development agency, and the School Nutrition Association to share information throughout the month.
 Bringing Local to our Littlest Eaters
Wednesday, October 12, 2016 3:30 – 5:00 PM ET
Serving local foods in meals, snacks, and taste tests is a core
element of farm to early care and education and contributes to numerous
benefits for kids, farmers, and communities. However, understanding
where and how to purchase local foods as well as how to incorporate them
into early care and education meal programs can be a challenge. Speakers from the National Farm to School
Network, USDA, Michigan State University Center
for Regional Food Systems, and early care and education providers will
share tips for getting started, strategies for success, and innovative
models that are advancing and scaling local purchasing practices in
early care and education settings across the country.
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 Farm to School and the Role of Cooperatives – Producer
and Buyer Perspectives
Wednesday, October
19, 2016 2:00 – 3:15 PM
ET
When our kids have the opportunity to eat delicious local
fresh offerings at their school cafeterias, they may not realize there could be
a co-op behind making those offerings possible. October is not only
National Farm to School Month, but also National Co-op Month so join us for a
webinar that looks at the impact of cooperatives in local food sourcing at
schools, with speakers providing perspectives from both the supply side and
demand side of the equation.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016 2:00 – 3:15 PM ET
In celebration of National Farm to School Month,
join SNA to learn about resources from USDA’s Office of Community Food
Systems and how farm to school strategies can boost participation,
reduce food waste, and increase consumption of fruits and vegetables.
This webinar will showcase Doug Davis from Burlington School Food Project and Alex Emmott from Oakland Unified School District. We’ll also highlight small ways you can jump in.
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Danielle
Fleury, USDA Northeast Regional Farm to School Lead and Katina Kefalas,
Program Specialist, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Northeast Regional
Office
Over the past few summers, sponsors of USDA’s Summer Meals Programs
have been elevating meal quality and encouraging program participation
by serving seasonal menus, utilizing high quality ingredients, and
providing nutrition education activities. We’ve heard of such farm to summer
activities – the embedding of farm to school principles within summer
meals programs – from practitioners all around the country. Here in the
Northeast, summer 2016 brought a wave of coordinated programming, and National Farm to School Month is the perfect time to celebrate this trend that is supporting healthy kids and communities all year long!
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