IATP has been a leader in the Farm to School and Farm to Early Care movement in Minnesota. We have supported programmatic implementation, policy support, and resource creation to support gardening, purchasing local foods, and helping kids learn about food and farming. Through Farm to School and Farm to Early Care IATP seeks to support farmers, kids, and communities. With the goal of supporting the vitality of small and midsized farmers, we find innovative approaches to increase the accessibility of fresh, healthy, locally grown foods in institutions, including K-12 schools, early care providers (home and center) and beyond. We test and promote curricula and educational models that help children make the connection between locally grown foods and the farmers who produce them. Our work is deeply rooted in Minnesota: We tailor our strategies to fit the needs and context of each community with which we partner.
Farm to School & Early Care Networks
Visit our coalition websites for more information & resources.
Farm to School Spotlights
These spotlights lift up the creative ways schools are incorporating local Minnesota Farm to School foods into their menus and connecting their students with where our food comes from. From developing more culturally-responsive recipes to building connections with emerging farmers, purchasing game-changing kitchen equipment to connecting with classroom educational activities, these schools and farmers they purchase from share practical tips and inspiring stories of how they have made Farm to School work for their communities. Read all three here.
Featured Reports
Farm to School Resources
Farm to School Leadership Curriculum
The Farm to School Youth Leadership Curriculum is comprised of six lessons that can be taught consecutively over a semester or as single lessons or activities to complement other classes. Each lesson contains a lesson summary, facilitator preparation notes, activities, worksheets, recommended optional work and further resources for students and teachers. Lessons include themes such as “School Lunch: How Does it Really Work?” and “Communicating with Producers of Local Foods.”
Farm to Early Care Curriculum
Webinars
Discover more on our Community Food Systems work.