October is National Farm to School Month

INDIANAPOLIS — October is National Farm to School Month — a time to celebrate food education, school gardens and healthy, local ingredients in school lunches.

This year’s theme is “Rooted in Community: Growing Stronger, Together.” It highlights that at the core, farm-to-school is built for and by communities, with everyone working together to cultivate a better future.

Farm to School brings people from many sectors, generations and interests to provide a better food system.

Indiana schools can participate in the Indiana Great Apple Crunch, hosted by the Indiana Department of Education’s Office of Nutrition Program.

Schools can share pictures and videos of students and staff enjoying fresh apples. A guide, stickers and more can be found at www.applecrunchin.com.

Other ways to celebrate Farm to School Month:

• Feature a fresh, seasonal product in school meals.

• Organize a local food taste test, prepared in several ways.

• Plan a farm field trip or invite a farmer to your classroom.

• Take students on a tour of the school kitchen or host a special event in your school garden.

• Invite policymakers to join students for a meal in the cafeteria.

• Highlight farm-to-school activities in your newsletter, website, or materials that go home to parents, like school lunch menus