eval report cover.indd - New Jersey Farm to School Network Wiki

ASA-NC: APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTUREPROJECT’S FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM, NORTH CAROLINAConclusions Farm to School and RecommendationsProgram ProfilesAppalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP)has been leading farm to school efforts in westernNorth Carolina – in the Asheville City schools andin the counties of Mitchell, Yancey and Madison. Its “GrowingMinds” program arranges fi e ld trips to farms, encouragesparental involvement and education, and facilitates local purchasingby the school system. An extensive evaluation of theprogram has not been carried out, though information on theprogram is available from the school districts and ASAP.In 2006, 12,000 children in four school systems - Mitchell,Yancey and Madison counties and Asheville city schools– ate produce from local farms. There was a small, informalnetwork of seven to ten farmers providing lettuce, apples, potatoes,squash, cucumbers, greens, okra, tomatoes, decorativepumpkins, turnips, red cabbage, watercress, and zucchini.Most of these farms were less than 10 acres and many weretobacco farmers transitioning to new crops. A couple of thefarmers were expanding their greenhouses so that they couldgrow vegetables year-round. Th e farmers delivered directlyto the schools, traveling an average of 30 miles. In Madisonand Mitchell counties, farmers delivered their product to onedesignated farmer who then delivered for the group. Localproducts made up 3 – 5% of all produce purchased by theschools.Th e schools in these four counties were equipped with fullkitchens, and food service workers were accustomed to preparingfresh fruits and vegetables. The only additional facilitiesneeded by a few schools were cold storage units.One of the biggest benefits of the farm to school program inwestern North Carolina was that it provided a connection tostudents’ rural heritage. Many of these children were just onegeneration removed from agriculture, and the exposure tofarmers and farming helped them to understand the historyof the area as well as how their predecessors lived and worked.Farm to school found strong supporters among school foodservice staff as well as the school administration, the healthdepartment and staff from a processing facility. ASAP staffhas been enthusiastic about working to expand the GrowingMinds program to a Head Start group, offering workshopsand field trips to different audiences, including farmers andteachers, and focusing on nutrition education by collaboratingwith chefs who are eager to offer students the opportunityto cook with them.Joshi A, Kalb M, Beery M, Going Local: Paths to success for farm to schoolprograms. Case study “North Carolina: How the Price of Lettuce Started aFarm to School Program,” December 2006.Mitchell CountySchools, NCFree / reduced mealeligibility: 3.2%Total schools: 8Enrollment: 2200Demographics:94% White, 5% Hispanic,1% African AmericanYancey CountySchools, NCFree / reduced mealeligibility: 51%Total schools: 9Enrollment: 2500Demographics:91% White, 6% Hispanic,2% African AmericanMadison CountySchools, NCFree / reduced mealeligibility: 53.2%Total schools: 6Enrollment: 2600Demographics:97% White, 2% Hispanic,1 % African AmericanAsheville CitySchools, NCFree / reduced mealeligibility: 51.7%Total schools: 10Enrollment: 4400Demographics:49% White, 44% AfricanAmerican, 5% HispanicLocal product used in:Cafeteria mealsOther programcomponents:Farm visits by students,school gardens andnutrition education62 Bearing Fruit: Farm to School Evaluation Resources and Recommendations