Wisconsin Farm to School Annual Report 2020-22

WISCONSIN FARM TO SCHOOL

JULY 1, 2020 - JUNE 30, 2022

ANNUAL

REPORT

WISCONSIN FARM TO SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TRADE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

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PAGE | 02

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary.......................................................................................4

F2S

Wisconsin Farm to School Overview.........................................................5

2019 WI Farm to School Census................................................................6

DATCP Farm to School Program................................................................8

=

Equity................................................................................................................10

Procurement & Supply Chain.....................................................................12

School Gardens..............................................................................................16

Nutrition & Ag Education.............................................................................18

Recommendations........................................................................................19

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LETTER FROM THE

SECRETARY

Agriculture has a broad impact on our state and way of life. In Wisconsin, 14.3 million acres are dedicated to

agriculture, and the industry provides 11.8% of the state’s employment. Here, farmers serve as a significant economic

driver, feed our families, and strengthen the fiber of communities across the state.

Wisconsin’s Farm to School Advisory Council helps create key connections between educational institutions and

farms in the state. I am thankful for the many Wisconsin farmers, processors, distributors, organizations, and

programs that collaborate in this effort. Through these partnerships, our food supply chain is strengthened and

students are provided with delicious, locally-grown foods. I look forward to the continued initiatives of the Farm to

School Advisory Council and the impact of that work in communities across Wisconsin in the future.

Sincerely,

Randy Romanski

Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

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EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

In 2021 and 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade

and Consumer Protection's (DATCP) Farm to School and

Institution program, Wisconsin Farm to School Advisory Council,

and stakeholders collaborated to build new farm to school

initiatives, strengthen food supply chain connections, mitigate

disruptions and supply chain challenges due to the COVID-19

pandemic, and assist schools in accessing food.

This group of industry stakeholders also worked together to

create equitable food systems through innovative initiatives and

creative partnerships with tribal food system partners.

Strengthening local food supply chain connections supports

Wisconsin farmers and local food businesses in providing a

bounty for school, early child programs, and food security efforts.

Wisconsin's farm to school network continues to partner to

provide connections and expand access to nutrition and

agricultural education, Wisconsin-sourced foods, school garden

developments, and engagement activities.

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FARM TO SCHOOL |

F2S

WI FARM TO SCHOOL OVERVIEW

Farm to School (F2S) is an international movement supporting local producers in providing bountiful, nutritious

school meals and snacks for all. Farm to School programs operate nationwide within three core elements:

Procurement, School Gardens, and Education.

F2S programs are shaped through the collaborations of federal and state agencies and the work of farmers, food

distribution businesses, processors, school teachers, chefs, food service staff, school boards, community

organizations, community based businesses, parents, caregivers, and students.

The Wisconsin Farm to School Network seeks to strengthen communities by providing statewide access to

Wisconsin-grown agricultural foods, school gardens, and nutrition education with an emphasis on increasing access

for food insecure communities.

CONNECTING TO FARM TO SCHOOL EFFORTS

The Wisconsin School Garden Network and Rooted merged two previous newsletters and successfully started

delivering Farm to School and School Garden news through a new outreach effort called Growing Together. The effort

provides farm to school information through a newsletter with 5,728 recipients and social media.

Subscribe at:

wischoolgardens.org

Scan QR Code to

Subscribe

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PAGE | 06

2019 WI FARM TO SCHOOL CENSUS

This data was collected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2019 from schools and districts

that participate in the USDA Child Nutrition Programs. Survey participants are called School Food Authorities (SFAs),

an organizing unit that describes public districts and private schools. For more information on the census

information, visit https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov/census-results/states/wi.

SURVEY AUDIENCE

Of the 670 SFAs in Wisconsin, 477 (71%)

completed the census.

71%

1,282 SCHOOLS

provided Farm to School access to

480,433 STUDENTS

FARM TO SCHOOL PARTICIPATION

83%

Of the 477 SFAs that completed the census,

373 (83%) incorporate farm to school.

200

150

100

50

0

NUMBER OF SFA RESPONDENTS

AND YEARS OF PARTICIPATION

< 3 years 3-5 years 6-10 years

Procurement

Education

Promotion

School Gardens

FARM TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

USED BY SFA RESPONDENTS

0 100 200 300 400

Number of SFA Respondents

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F2S CENSUS |

Direct from farms

Food Co-ops

Farmer's Market

School Garden

Produce Distributor

Prime Distributor

Food Hub

Local Grocery store

Farm Distributor

0 50 100 150

LOCAL FOOD SOURCES AND

NUMBER OF SFA RESPONDENTS

AVERAGE SFA SCHOOL FOOD BUDGET

Of SFA respondents in 2019, 6% spent on local foods (up from

4.86% in 2015 Census) and 18.2% when including local milk.

6%

4%

LOCAL FOOD SOURCING

The most common definition of "local"

was reported to be "Wisconsin."

PERCENTAGE OF SFA

RESPONDENTS' SPENDING ON

LOCAL FOODS BY SURVEY YEAR

$75,598,496 total spent on school foods (includes milk)

$9,645,872 on local foods (includes milk)

$2,947,392 on local foods (does not include milk)

150

2019 SFA RESPONDENTS AND THEIR

AG EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

2%

0%

2015 2019

100

NUTRITION & AG EDUCATION

50

0

Gardens Taste Tests Farm Visits Farmer Visits

SFAs reported participation in Nutrition and

Ag Education through garden usage, taste

testings, farm visits, and farmer visits.

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PAGE | 08

DATCP FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM

DATCP provides services through a Farm to School and Institution Specialist. DATCP programs focus on

procurement and economic development for farmers by supporting and facilitating connections along local food

supply chains from producer to processor, buyer, and ultimately, to children's plates. Working with farmers, food

distributors, and processors, DATCP supports farm to school and institution activities by identifying and reducing

impediments to increasing the amount of Wisconsin-grown and produced foods served in Wisconsin schools.

PARTNER COLLABORATIONS

Marketplace Meetings

Marketplace Meetings are a collaborative effort between the School Nutrition Team at the Wisconsin Department of

Public Instruction (DPI) and DATCP's Farm to School and Institution program. The meetings provide a venue where

school nutrition professionals and Wisconsin food producers can build their networks and ask questions related to

local food procurement. Meetings take place regularly throughout the year and host up to 50 attendees at each

meeting.

Minimally Processed Vegetable Pilot

In 2022, DATCP received $25,000 in Specialty Crop Block Grant funding to work with Edible Cuts in Kenosha for the

processing and sampling of 8,000 pounds of school-friendly products to Wisconsin students. The University of

Wisconsin - Division of Extension's Food Wise Harvest of the Month program partnered to share best practices,

educational materials, and services. The project resulted in several schools transitioning potato purchases to

Wisconsin from Idaho.

119

15,500

5,160

3,020

schools reached

students offered products

pounds of WI sweet potatoes

pounds of WI russett potatoes

Lifecycle of Farm to School Workshop Series

Developed in partnership with organizations and school food service professionals, the

DPI School Nutrition Team is implementing a multi-model training project. Funded

through a 2021 USDA Farm to School Grant, eight workshops highlight the lifecycle of

school gardens. The project aims to expand school nutrition professionals' farm to

school teams, provide opportunities for peer-to-peer mentoring, equitably support farm

to school activities, and sustain farm to school programming. (DATCP is creating and

leading workshops on safe produce handling and how to implement school gardens to

supply cafeterias, as well as making industry connections.)

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DATCP |

UPCOMING INITIATIVES

DATCP has applied for $100,000 in Specialty Crop Block Grant funding to promote specialty crop producers and

products, offer food safety trainings and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certification, coordinate education and

procurement assistance, and foster stronger regional supply chain connections to increase farm sales of Wisconsin

specialty crops to schools. This project will engage new partners and supply chain stakeholders, increase market

access for underserved growers, and expand healthy local food options that feature specialty crops to school

districts with high percentages of students that qualify for free or reduced meals.

DATCP FARM TO SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Members are nominated and appointed by the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and

Consumer Protection. Individuals include staff from DATCP, DHS, DPI and various sectors that advance farm to

school, including agricultural and local food supply chain leaders, child health and nutrition professionals, school

food service authorities, educators, and community leaders. The council makes key recommendations that guide the

development of Farm to School in Wisconsin and create the Wisconsin Farm to School Annual Report.

Standing Partners

Krista Knigge

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and

Consumer Protection

Jennifer Putzer

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Jessica Sharkus

WI Department of Public Instruction

Child Health Professionals

Daithi (David) Wolfe - Council Chair

Kids Forward

Lisa Kingery, MS, RDN

FoodRight, Inc.

Bridgett Wilder

Perserverance Wellness

School Food Service Personnel

Michael Gasper

School District of Holmen

Jesse Padron

Oneida Nation

Farmers

Sarah Christman

Hunger Task Force

At Large

Nancy Dorman

Wisconsin Association of School Boards

Erin Badtke

MaetaData

Tatum Evans

Fifth Season Cooperative

Chef Irene Pawlisch, CSC, SNS

WI School Nutrition Association

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PAGE | 10

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EQUITY

The Wisconsin Farm to School Advisory Council is committed to advancing racial and social equity and

addressing disparities in access to the benefits of farm to school in Wisconsin. The council is working to

reimagine existing support structures related to farm to school efforts in Wisconsin and revise them in a way that

encompasses diversity, equity, and inclusivity. This team continues to work on building connections and

relationships with people and organizations representing impacted communities. The short-term goal is to have

more of these voices on the council.

RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES

Racial and ethnic disparities exist in our food system. Access to healthy food is a challenge, and there are disparities

in the quality, variety, quantity, and price of food available in communities. More than one in five children are at risk

of hunger. For Black and Latino individuals, the number is one in three. The USDA defines food security as access by

all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle. Food insecurity has health implications. Black

and Latino youth have substantially higher rates of childhood obesity than their white peers. Native American

individuals are twice as likely to lack access to safe and healthy foods than white individuals, which has led to higher

obesity and diabetes rates. There are also racial and ethnic disparities related to income and land ownership.

EARLY CHILD CARE EDUCATION ACCESS CONCERNS

1 in 7 children in Wisconsin are food insecure.

Children that are Black, Indigenous, or other people of

color (BIPOC) are food insecure at even higher rates.

(Feeding America, 2021)

27%

center-based teachers

20%

family providers

indicated being worried that food might run out

in their household by the end of the month.

BIPOC staff experience this at even higher rates.

FREE AND REDUCED MEAL PROGRAMS

Wisconsin's free and reduced meal programs are important

avenues for improving food access equity. The chart to the

right accounts for 422 Wisconsin K-12 school districts. The

brackets show the percentage of students who received free

or reduced meals in 2019. Of the 422 school districts shown

in the chart, 228 (54%) have 40% or more of their student

body receiving free and reduced meals.

168

39 21

53

141

0-20%

21-40%

41-60%

61-80%

81-100%

(Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 2019)

Number of WI School Districts and the percentage of

students receiving free and reduced meals

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EQUITY |

FOOD INSECURITY

COORELATION

In some cases, the meals that children

receive at school are their only meals

each day. Food insecurity plays a huge

part in the need and equitable access

for farm to school efforts in Wisconsin.

Food Insecurity Rates by County

A - Menominee

B - Green Lake

C - Washington

D - Ozaukee

E - Milwaukee

The map to the right portrays the food

insecurity rates by county. While

formulas include poverty,

unemployment rates, and other

benchmarks to calculate rates of food

insecurity, they do not take community

assets into account. The table identifies

food insecurity rates by race and

ethnicity.

A

This data is being used to develop

priorities, commitments, and strategic

efforts in farm to school. These efforts

are aimed towards equitable access to

farm to school benefits and increased

food security and sovereignty.

*role="textbox", aria-multiline="true"*

B

C

D

E

Racial and Ethnic demographics of each food insecure percentage bracket shown

FOOD

INSECURITY %

5-6%

7-8%

AMERICAN

INDIAN

0.54%

1.50%

ASIAN BLACK HISPANIC

2.18%

2.00%

3.04%

1.44%

6.52%

7.20%

WHITE

87.02%

85.10%

9-10%

1.83%

1.50%

1.80%

6.24%

86.20%

11-12%

7.30%

0.54%

1.10%

3.54%

81.40%

13-14%

0.60%

3.50%

32.33%

20.90%

38.00%

18%

93% 0.00% 0.00% 6.00%

*Other races accounted for in percentages include Native Hawaiian and 2 or more races

(Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 2019)

1.00%

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PAGE | 12

PROCUREMENT & SUPPLY CHAIN

USDA/DPI PROCUREMENT

There are regulated procurement methods from which SFAs choose including:

micro-purchase (most common Wisconsin F2S procurement method)

small purchase, also known as 3 bids and one buy

Invitation for Bid (IFB), also referred to as “sealed bid” or “request for bid (RFB)”

Request for Proposal (RFP)

There are several programs that schools can participate in to provide food for students including:

National School Lunch Program

Wisconsin School Day Milk Program (WSDMP)

USDA Foods

Afterschool Snack Program (ASP)

Department of Defense Fresh

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

School Breakfast Program (SBP)

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)

Special Milk Program (SMP)

Summer Meal Program Choices

USDA/DPI PROGRAMS

$ SPENT ON FOOD

$ SPENT ON

WISCONSIN FOODS

% OF WI FOODS

IN PURCHASING

NATIONAL

USDA Procurement

(all national programs)

FY20: $1,849,455,347

FY21: $1,710,513,862

FY20: $66,407,428

FY21: $65,120,327

FY20: 3.59%

FY21: 3.81%

USDA Procurement

(child nutrition programs)

FY20: $1,135,127,948

FY21: $1,153,596,213

FY20: $40,889,960

FY21: $46,919,808

FY20: 3.60%

FY21: 4.06%

WISCONSIN

Department of Defense Fresh

Fruit & Vegetable Program

FY20: $3,224,456

FY21: $4,896,863

FY20: $1,545,632

FY21: $368,929

FY20: 47.93%

FY21: 7.53%

USDA Fresh Fruit &

Vegetable Program

FY20: $2,888,527

FY21: $0

FY20: $151,070

FY21: $0

FY20: 5.23%

FY21: *

(Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2022)

*USDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable program FY21

data unavailable at publishing

The Wisconsin Farm to School Advisory Council recognizes that the data

above is not all encompassing and procurement numbers may be higher.

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PROCUREMENT |

SUPPLY CHAIN ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES LED BY THE CENTER FOR INTEGRATED

AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS AT UW MADISON (UW-CIAS)

Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch

October 2021 marked the 8th Annual Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch, a

celebration of Wisconsin orchards, the Wisconsin Farm to School Network,

and National Farm to School Month.

Wisconsin school districts, early care sites, hospitals, colleges, and

supporting partners participate in this event, which is a collaborative effort

of six Upper Midwest states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana,

Michigan, and Ohio.

185,490

apples crunched in 2021

1,000

sites across Wisconsin

64

participating Wisconsin orchards

Wisconsin Chili Lunch

In 2017, a partnership of six public schools and two area

hospitals piloted the Wisconsin Chili Lunch. The event was a

huge success and launched statewide the following year with

statewide farm to school partnership support. In 2022, over

48,000 chili lunches were served around the state.

2019 Wisconsin Chili Lunch Participation Map

The Wisconsin Chili Lunch is a great way to highlight farm to

cafeteria efforts and provides an opportunity to practice

sourcing local foods, supporting local farmers, and joining

forces with cafeterias and kitchens to be “vocal for local.”

48,454

bowls of chili served in 2022

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PAGE | 14

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT TO BUILD RURAL PROSPERITY

The UW Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) is researching wholesale food markets in Wisconsin. Food supply

chains rely on volume sales so that they are efficient and profitable. This is especially true for foods that require

refrigeration. Small purchasers, such as small grocery stores, restaurants, food pantries and school kitchens, may not be

able to order enough volume to warrant truck load deliveries. Minimum deliveries are necessary to sustain strong

business partnerships with multiple distributors so that minimum orders are met and prices are competitive. By

collaborating with each other, or with larger businesses, smaller buyers can more effectively access wholesale products.

Public investment in rural food infrastructure builds rural prosperity.

CIAS has four research projects examining how wholesale food is reaching Wisconsin businesses and school districts. Early

findings document that citizens in some rural parts of the state are underserved by wholesale fresh produce markets for a

variety of reasons. Routes are circuitous, truck loads are difficult to optimize, and delivery service to small buyers drops as

volume drops. This drives the cost higher to distribute to low population areas and smaller buyers than distributing food

to higher population regions. It also reduces the number of distribution companies that can serve a rural region leading to

wholesale market concentration. The result is higher prices for rural consumers. At the same time, rural regions are

suffering from low income. This combination of factors drives food insecurity, especially for children and the elderly.

In this research, researchers are finding examples of innovative ways that people are overcoming these obstacles through

collaboration. A large employer in Dane County is partnering with a school district and their primary distributor to meet

minimum purchases of locally grown products. In this win-win-win situation, the distributor is rewarded with steady

purchases of items that may otherwise be insufficient to maintain a separate SKU. The school district can provide high

quality, seasonal menu items to children, and the business is recognized for their community partnership.

Another example is the case of a charitable organization providing rural food pantries with funds to purchase items from

local grocery stores. Some school districts are also considering this option of partnering with independent grocers so that

together they reach the minimum order more quickly and receive fresh food deliveries more often. In this way, they

support the existing rural supply chain, and thus improve food access for all in the community.

Business collaboration is one approach. Targeted infrastructure development is another. Food is delivered most efficiently

on freight trucks, so the infrastructure for freight deliveries is important to ensure rural communities are adequately

served. Maintaining and improving rural roads is a priority, especially for use during the freeze/thaw season and in

anticipation of extreme weather events. Terminal markets are another type of critical infrastructure that can improve

supply chain logistics. Such facilities are especially important for foods and medicine that require refrigeration. Terminal

markets receive 53 ft truckloads of product, and efficiently unload and store products at the proper temperature. Pallets

of fresh food may then be broken into smaller lots for delivery with smaller trucks that cost less to operate on short

deliveries. This makes it possible for several distributors to serve more of rural Wisconsin and improves competition in the

marketplace. Other necessary transportation infrastructure includes driver rest areas and “hook and drop” facilities. All of

these approaches work together to improve food access and make supply chain logistics more efficient, especially in rural

areas.

Michelle Miller - Associate Director, UW Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS)

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PROCUREMENT |

EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION (ECE) PROCUREMENT

The Wisconsin Early Care and Education System continues to strive to expand and strengthen farm to early care

efforts. Rising food costs, childhood food security concerns, healthy food access concerns and childcare staffing

shortages remain top challenges. Fresh, affordable food access is essential in serving healthy meals and snacks in

child care programs. Fruit and vegetable consumption is an important indicator of a child’s nutrition.

50%

Infants and toddlers

and

63%

3-5 Year Olds

participate in an early care and education program.

Challenges to Providing Local Foods in Programs

Although many programs and providers may be willing to purchase and use food from local producers, the perceived

extra work needed is a hurdle. The top barriers include:

Cost of Wisconsin-grown foods (51% in 2017, 41% in 2020)

Finding local farmers (31% in 2017, 27% in 2020)

Finding local foods through current distributor (30% in 2017, 27% in 2020)

Delivery challenges (20% in 2017, 21% in 2020)

Refrigerator, freezer, dry storage space (25% in 2017, 14% in 2020)

Availability of minimally processed or pre-cut products (12% in 2017, 14% in 2020)

The COVID-19 pandemic increased pressures on the early childhood system in Wisconsin. While high staff turnover

has always been a challenge in the field, the COVID-19 pandemic increased these rates. Many childcare programs

have been forced to close classrooms due to staffing shortages, and staff are fulfilling multiple roles to keep

programs open. These challenges, when combined with supply chain disruptions and staff shortages, have added

barriers to Farm to ECE participation that were not foreseen at the time of either survey.

(Wisconsin Farm to ECE Surveys, October 2017 and Early 2020)

P's in a Pod Pilot

The Wisconsin Early Childhood Association is expanding their program to increase use of local foods in Early Care

and Education (ECE) programs. The project will begin in early 2023, creating partnerships between producers and

providers building new markets for local food producers, creating opportunities to teach children about producers,

introducing children to new foods, and improving nutrition. P’s in a Pod includes the Wisconsin Early Education

Shared Services Network (WEESSN) and family care providers in nine counties, including Jackson, La Crosse, Sauk,

Columbia, Jefferson, Dodge, Dane, Green, and Milwaukee counties.

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PAGE | 16

SCHOOL GARDENS

The Wisconsin School Garden Network offers workshops and technical assistance to individuals and programs

including finding appropriate curricular resources, helping to connect them with school garden support

organizations in their region, and providing guidance on starting and growing a garden program. In addition, they

provide a newsletter and mapping for networking around Wisconsin school gardens.

TEACHING IN NATURE’S CLASSROOM ONLINE COURSE

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wisconsin School Garden Network developed and provided a free

online, self-directed, garden-based professional development course for educators called Teaching in Nature’s

Classroom. The course was offered initially to educators during the summer of 2020, and due to positive feedback, it

was offered again for educators in the fall of 2020. With hundreds of educators on waitlists for summer and fall

sessions, the online course platform was expanded to accommodate more educators in winter 2020 and spring

2021.

The course has served more than 700 educators. Over 90% of participants in the most recent course evaluation

reported that they felt more knowledgeable about principles and best practices of garden-based education, available

resources, and the work of other educators around the county. Attendees also reported feeling energized and

inspired to promote garden-based learning at their site.

PUT YOURSELF ON THE MAP CAMPAIGN

The Wisconsin School Garden Network's 'Put

Yourself on the Map’ campaign recently asked

schools and organizations to add their gardens

and contact information to our school garden map.

The map continues to grow, and there are

approximately 850 Wisconsin school gardens

on the map, which is more recorded gardens than

any other state in the country!

Wisconsin FFA programs were invited to join the

Wisconsin school garden map, and now the map

lists more than 160 FFA garden sites.

(Wisconsin School Garden Network, 2020)

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SCHOOL GARDENS |

WISCONSIN SCHOOL GARDEN DAY

Every year since 2019, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has signed a proclamation declaring the third Thursday of

May as Wisconsin School Garden Day. In 2021 and 2022, thousands of students across Wisconsin celebrated the 3rd

Annual Wisconsin School Garden Day. To celebrate the day, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes visited Lake View

Elementary School in Madison to learn more about their school garden program, Alice in Dairyland highlighted three

school garden programs across the state, and other state officials visited schools in their communities.

Workshops Per Year

Workshop Attendees Per Year

75

750

50

500

25

250

0

2016/17

2017/18

2018/19

(Wisconsin School Garden Network, 2022)

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

0

2016/17

2017/18

2018/19

2019/20

2020/2021

2021/22

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PAGE | 18

NUTRITION & AG EDUCATION

WISCONSIN AMERICORPS FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM

This program, coordinated by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction,

provides an innovative approach to building healthy communities by improving

child nutrition through the implementation of educational farm to school activities

for students and families. These activities: encourage healthy eating choices in an

educational setting; develop strong communities by creating future community

leaders and connecting schools with local farmers and food businesses; increase

the capacity of communities to support sustainable F2S programs that encourage

healthy behaviors, and improve the school food environment.

2,430

students received

nutrition education

374

hours of school

garden

engagement

1,600

volunteer

hours for F2S

efforts

115

local procurement

education documents

shared

137

local food taste tests

conducted

109

local foods

menued in

schools

64

community

events to

promote F2S

60

educational

farmer

engagements

WISCONSIN HARVEST OF THE MONTH

This is a statewide campaign, coordinated by the University of Wisconsin - Division of Extension's FoodWise

Program, that encourages kids and families to eat more fruits and vegetables. Each month, schools showcase one

seasonal, Wisconsin-grown fruit or vegetable, allowing students to taste, explore, and learn about the importance

of eating fruits and vegetables.

Benefits of the campaign include:

Encouraging kids to try new fruits and vegetables

Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among students

Reduces food waste

Grows school meal participation

Supports Wisconsin farmers and the local economy

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NUTRITION & AG ED |

MENOMINEE HARVEST OF THE MOON PROGRAM

The Menominee Indian Reservation and what is now known as the State of Wisconsin are home of specific foods, and

each is full of stories, relationships, and nutrition. The Harvest of the Moon program was created in 2020 to

strengthen connections to food through the integration of Menominee language, Menominee Moons, Menominee

art, and Indigenous recipes. Each of these components relates, and combined, a thriving and complex learning

system exists. This program contains solutions to building a healthy and thriving community.

Through the Kemāmaceqtaq: We’re all Moving project, Harvest of the Moon materials were developed with the

intention that they can be used in a variety of community settings, including schools, afterschool programs, senior

meal sites, 4-H meetings, recreation centers, and other sites.

The objectives of the program include:

Increasing access to healthy and traditional

Menominee foods

Teaching about the nutritional value of the

monthly harvests

Drawing connections between food and

Menominee language, stories, and culture to enhance knowledge and cultural pride

Introducing traditional recipes to the community to encourage a healthy diet that features indigenous foods

Support local and/or Native farmers and producers

RECOMMENDATIONS

FUND THE WISCONSIN FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

The Wisconsin Farm to School Grant Program was created by 2009 Wisconsin Act 293. With approved funding,

DATCP will distribute grant funds to schools and institutions to increase local food purchasing.

SUPPORT EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE ACCESS

Support access for all students so all children have access to local foods or agricultural and nutrition education.

INVEST IN LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS

With support, the Farm to School Advisory Council will continue local supply chain development and infrastructure for

schools, including food purchases sourced from Wisconsin farmers, processors, and local businesses.

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