Ohio's Office of Nutrition, part of the Department of Education and Workforce, devoted the last installment of its October series to three farm-to-school programs in recognition of National Farm to School Month. The featured districts and centers are Cincinnati Public Schools, River Valley Local Schools and Miami Valley Child Development Center.
Cincinnati's effort dates to a school board policy that put local purchasing first. With no central warehouse, the district relies on a partner organization to handle buying and processing of farm products, and a dedicated staff member aligns regional produce with daily menus. Work with Green Umbrella supports school gardens and outdoor learning areas.
According to the bulletin, the district bought 202,247 pounds of local fruit and 51,140 pounds of local vegetables, used 24 producer partnerships and spent $517,753. Its advice for other districts: solicit formal bids that request local items and compare them against non-local pricing, add one local food at a time, and pick menu items that suit seasonal supply.
River Valley operates a 3-acre plot with beehives, high tunnels and an orchard, along with raised beds, an outdoor garden and hydroponic towers at its elementary schools. The district reported serving its own produce in reimbursable meals on 100 days and holding four promotional events that drew a 70% student acceptance rate. It points to grants, modest starts and a committed team as keys to success.
Miami Valley Child Development Center's program grew out of a partnership with Mission of Mary Farm; both sit in East Dayton. Six raised beds went in late in the growing season, and the center hopes to add harvesting, tasting and cooking demonstrations.