Community Food Systems

IATP's Community Food Systems program is helping revitalize local economies, give farmers stable and predictable income through the buying power of institutions, like school districts and hospitals, and get fresh and healthy local food to students and communities. We are currently developing a model project for Farm to Head Start purchasing to put good food into the hands of underserved young children, because lifelong learning requires lifelong healthy eating. 

High tunnels can bring benefits to farmers and schools

High tunnels—also known as hoop houses or passive solar greenhouses—are an increasingly common feature on farms through the Upper Midwest, where their use provides valuable extension to the region’s short growing season.  Local food markets—including farm to school—stand to benefit from the increased availability of fruits and vegetables throughout the year produced by the increased use of

Minnesota Farm to Institution Markets

Aimed at improving access to and profitability from Minnesota’s farm to institution markets (i.e. schools, hospitals, child care centers, etc.) for Minnesota producers, the survey engaged 142 producers operating in 56 counties in Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota.

WEBINAR: Farm to School & Youth Leadership Part 2: Strengthening Farm to School

This two part webinar series will introduce participants to IATP's high school level Farm to School Youth Leadership Curriculum. The curriculum is designed to empower youth, teach them about their local food system, engage them in meaningful, hands-on learning activities that also strengthen their school’s Farm to School program and link them directly to farmers in their community.

WEBINAR: Farm to School & Youth Leadership Part 1: Helping students understand their food systems

This two part webinar series will introduce participants to IATP's high school level Farm to School Youth Leadership Curriculum. The curriculum is designed to empower youth, teach them about their local food system, engage them in meaningful, hands-on learning activities that also strengthen their school’s Farm to School program and link them directly to farmers in their community.

Serving grains and legumes the Farm to School way

New school meal standards set by the federal Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act have been getting a lot of press lately. To provide healthier meals, the bill upped requirements for servings of whole grains and legumes. Farm to School programs are one way to meet this requirement while taking advantage of healthy, regionally grown products and supporting local farmers.

Growing Farm to Childcare

Teaching children about food and where it comes from is an important part of many childcare programs, but many childcare facilities want to go a step further and build a Farm to Childcare program that connects local farmers with young children by providing fresh, healthy foods in childcare meals.
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