Volume 4, Issue 9, May 1, 2018
|
|
|
|
Western Region States Launch Farm to Summer Week
Summer is fast approaching and that means the Summer Food
Service Program (SFSP) is gearing up. This summer, several States in the western region are taking Farm to Summer one step further with Farm to Summer Week. Farm to Summer Week is one week during the summer months where all
sponsors are encouraged to serve local foods and incorporate agricultural
enrichment activities into summer feeding programs. Farm to Summer Week is
a great opportunity to promote local foods, encourage high quality meals, and
provide educational enrichment activities. States participating in Farm to Summer Week
are listed below. Check with your State agency for state-specific Farm to
Summer Week activities.
- Alaska: July 23 – July 27
- Arizona: June 11 – June 15
- California: July 9 – July 13
- Washington: July 29 – August 4
Summer is the perfect time to source local food for your summer meals program. Check out these resources and learn more:
- Farm to Summer: How Regional Offices and State Agencies
Support Farm to Summer Webinar - This webinar provides an overview
of farm to summer activities, resources, and a snapshot of how Regional offices
and State agencies have encouraged sponsors to adopt farm to summer principles.
- Farm to Summer Fact Sheet - Use this fact
sheet for summer meal program tips on incorporating local foods and
agriculture-based activities.
- Local Foods and Related Activities in Summer Meal Programs
(SP-07_SFSP07-2016) - This policy memo provides guidance on the incorporation
of local foods and nutrition and agriculture-based activities into Summer Meal
Programs.
- Summer Meals and FoodCorps: An Introduction for State
Agencies - Check out this two-pager to learn how FoodCorps can
support summer meals.
- Procuring Local Foods for Child Nutrition Programs
- This resource covers procurement basics, defining local, where to find local
products, and the variety of ways child nutrition program operators can
purchase locally in accordance with regulations.
- USDA Farm to School Grant Program – Planning and
Implementation grants can support the integration of local foods and
complementary activities into school-based SFSP.
- USDA
Farm to School Census - Locate schools that include local foods in
their SFSP.
- SFSP Toolkit - Find local foods guidance for
state agencies, sponsors, and partner organizations, along with tips for
starting a summer meals site at farmers markets.
- SFSP Handbook - Sponsors can find guidance on
procurement and tips on targeting local foods.
- SFSP Webinar Series - Listen to presenters
discuss incorporating local foods in summer meals, building awareness about
summer programs, engaging in partnerships that help boost participation and
increase access, and more.
Turnip the Beet!
The Turnip the Beet Award recognizes outstanding SFSP sponsors across the nation who offer high-quality meals to children during the summer months.
All summer meal sponsors, including SFSP and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) sponsors, who are in compliance with program requirements are eligible for a Turnip the Beet award. There are three award levels available: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Sponsors may nominate themselves or be nominated by another party. Check out the 2017 Turnip the Beet winners!
|
|
|
Advancing School Meals with New Technology
USDA’s Food and
Nutrition Service (FNS) has released technology-based
resources to help Child Nutrition Program Operators effectively manage their programs. Enhance your summer meal program by using these helpful tools!
|
|
Learn more at http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool or contact us at farmtoschool@fns.usda.gov.
Not yet subscribed to The Dirt? Join us by clicking here.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).
|
|