Farm to Institution

Minnesota Department of Agriculture Farm to School Grant Evaluation

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Farm to School Grants allocated nearly $300,000 to Minnesota schools for local food purchases in 2021-22, awarding 27 total Farm to School grants. This evaluation report covers economic impact, grant administration, grantee successes and challenges.

Farm to Summer

Introduction

A decade of Farm to Institution efforts

For over a decade, IATP has been a leader in the Farm to Institution movement. With the goal of supporting the vitality of small- and mid-size farmers, we find innovative approaches to increase the accessibility of locally-grown foods in settings like schools and hospitals.

Families First Head Start Program Community Action Council

Download a PDF of the case study. Families First Head Start Program is comprised of 3 centers: The Place and The Empowerment Center in Rochester with food prepared in the kitchen at the Place, and the Brookside Education Center in Albert Lea, with food prepared on-site.

United Community Action Partnership

Download the PDF of the case study.

Lakes and Pines Community Action Council

Download a PDF of the case study.

Exploring Farm to Head Start Across Minnesota: Lessons from IATP’s Farm to Head Start Partners

During early childhood, children start to form an awareness of where food comes from and begin to establish the taste preferences and eating habits that will stay with them throughout their lives. Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) activities connect young children with healthy, locally-grown foods and offer hands-on experiential learning activities.