UConn Extension Farm to School Professional Development

Back-to-School Professional Development Trainings are Back for 2026!

Regional Farm to School Coordinators, sponsored by CT State Department of Education and UConn Extension, are offering free, in-person, 60-minute trainings tailored for school food service staff. These trainings offer participants the opportunity to learn new skills in farm to school through an interactive workshop. These trainings count toward meeting professional standards.

There are five training options being offered in August and September. We recommend considering integrating a training into your staff professional training plans. Please select the training of most interest to you and your staff.

Option 1) Easy Local Food Preparation. In this training, food service staff will learn how to utilize and prepare local food easily and effectively.

Option 2) Showcasing Local Food on the Line. In this training, food service staff will come away with engaging strategies to present and market local food to students in the cafeteria.

Option 3) Knife Skills*.  In this training, food service staff will learn basic knife skills for local food preparation. *Trainer TBD

Option 4) Taste Tests. In this training, food service staff will learn the benefits and best practices for designing and executing taste tests.

Option 5) Team Building to Elevate your Food Service Team. This training will include facilitated activities with your staff that build pride in their work and team. By the end of the training, the group will identify a project that elevates school nutrition in your district.

If you are interested in this for your Back-to-School Trainings, please fill out this form to indicate interest. Given anticipated high demand, these trainings are available on a first come-first serve basis. Trainings will be available during the rest of the school year based on interest and availability. For question, please contact abigail.dubois@uconn.edu.