Source Local Food

Farm to School programs connect communities to healthy, fresh and local food by supporting local farmers and producers, providing nutrition and agricultural education and supporting schools in establishing school gardens and agricultural programs.

• Procurement: Purchasing local foods​
  • CDE local procurement bid template (coming soon!) 
  • USDA procurement handbook
  • USDA Farm to School Food Safety Tips

• Education: Education related to agriculture, food, health and nutrition

  • National Farm to School Network Resources
  • National Agriculture in the Classroom

• School Gardens: Support and sustain school gardens to provide hands-on learning

  • Whole Kids Foundation: Garden to Cafeteria Toolkit
  • Team Nutrition Garden Resources
  • Denver School Garden Coalition Operating Manual
  • Slow Food USA’s School Garden Curriculum
• Community Partners 
  • National Farm to School Network 
  • Nourish Colorado
  • USDA- The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program 

Producer Resources 

• Producers can complete this survey to be added to the list that child nutrition sponsors use to find local products
• The National Farm to School Network’s Bringing the Farm to School training program offers resources to producers getting their start in Farm to School. 

Toolkits and Manuals

• Nourish Colorado's Local Food Program Guidebook
• Farm to Summer Toolkit
• Vermont FEED Farm to School Planning Toolkit

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