Connecticut Farm to School Collaborative
The Connecticut Farm to School Collaborative is a multi-stakeholder partnership whose function is to pursue projects together that no one partner could do alone. The Collaborative functions as an informal working group committed to growing Farm to School in Connecticut. Coordination is provided in-kind by UConn Extension and FoodCorps CT, and meetings are hosted by Hartford Public Schools Food Services. The Collaborative meets monthly to network, collaborate, and support efforts across the state. Learn more at the Connecticut Farm to School Collaborative website.
Connecticut Department of Education
Through leadership, curriculum, research, planning, evaluation, assessment, data analyses and other assistance, the Department helps to ensure equal opportunity and excellence in education for all Connecticut students. The CSDE works with the Department of Agriculture to implement Connecticut’s Farm to School Program which aims to serve healthy meals in school cafeterias, improve student nutrition, provide agriculture, health and nutrition education opportunities, and support local and regional farmers. More information is available on the Connecticut Department of Education website.
Connecticut Department of Agriculture
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is responsible for the promotion of the CT Grown Program, assisting producers with direct marketing programs, farmland preservation efforts, disseminating general information on agriculture and releasing agricultural press releases. This is accomplished by administering and coordinating the Farmers' Market Program and Senior/WIC Coupon Program; CT Agricultural Directional Signage Program, Farm-to-School Program, Farm-to-Chef Program, FarmLink Program, a variety of producer and municipal grant programs, the CT Weekly Agricultural Report, agricultural commodity promotions, and the Farmland Preservation Program. Find out about these and more programs on the Connecticut Department of Agriculture website.
FoodCorps Connecticut
FoodCorps is a nationwide team of AmeriCorps leaders, connecting kids to real food to help them grow up healthy. In Connecticut, FoodCorps service members are in school districts building school gardens, teaching nutrition and cooking classes, and connecting farmers and food service directors to get local produce into the cafeteria. Learn more about FoodCorps and FoodCorps in Connecticut.
Connecticut Dairy
The Connecticut Milk Promotion Board, administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, was established in 2008. The board consists of nine appointed members and is charged with developing, coordinating and implementing promotional, research and other programs designed to promote Connecticut dairy farms and milk consumption. They also work closely with New England Dairy (NED) - a non-profit nutrition education organization supported by the dairy farmers of New England and Eastern New York. Staffed by registered dietitians, NED works in five New England states to ensure that health professionals, scientists, media, child nutrition professionals and educators have a credible body of nutrition knowledge upon which to educate or base health recommendations and school programs. Learn more about CT Dairy and NED.
Northeast Farm to School Collaborative
The Northeast Farm to School Collaborative is a collective movement of educators, food providers, and policy advocates working collaboratively to catalyze food system change, starting with the school community. By building connections among classrooms, cafeterias, and communities, they increase student knowledge, improve attitudes toward healthy and local food, and become an important catalyst for rebuilding a more sustainable food system. Being a region of small- and medium-sized states that rely on shared supply chain infrastructure, the Northeast partners work together on many aspects of Farm to School.
National Farm to School Network
National Farm to School Network is an information, advocacy and networking hub for communities working to bring local food sourcing, school gardens and food and agriculture education into schools and early care and education settings. Learn more at the National Farm to School Network website.