Framework-08-25-14_web

CHAPTER 04: PRIORITY OUTCOMES, INDICATORS AND MEASURES53farm to school activities can support that throughthe seven capitals: built capital, financial capital,physical capital, social capital, human capital, culturalcapital and natural capital 48,49 . Researchers examiningcommunity capacity and resiliency, or the ability of acommunity to meet their needs through creating andresponding to opportunities, note that social capital isa fundamental asset 50 .Farm to school exists within the community foodsystem due to the strong connections betweenfarmers, farm workers, processors, distributors,packers, technical assistance providers, policymakers,researchers, funders, foodservice staff, farm toschool educators, parents, teachers, administrators,garden educators and many more people. Schooldistricts interested in participating in farm to schoolprocurement need relationships with producers andother players in the food system. Producers, in turn,reflect that in addition to the financial incentive forsupplying product to schools, another motivatingfactor for their involvement is the ability to helpschools and contribute to the community 51–56 . Severalvolunteers and community members contributingto farm to school activities also state that supportingthe local community is an important benefit of theiractivities 41 . Food service, school administration andgrowers need multiple strategies to build and supportongoing relationships and dialogue in order tostrengthen and increase market opportunities throughfarm to school.Table 12Program Outcome: Social capital built in school districts and the communityIndicator 2: Mutually supportive relationships result in access to resources shared between community and schooldistricts.Measure 2.1: Number and type of promotional and training activities related to local foods in the school environmentand in the communityMeasure 2.2: Number and type of sales producer has to chef, retailer or other wholesale accounts resulting from farm toschool promotion and training effortsMeasure 2.3: Number and type of food-related businesses (i.e., farmers, ranchers, distributors, retailers) partnering withthe school district to support farm to school through education, gardening and procurement efforts (i.e.,field trips, site visits)Measure 2.4: Financial value estimation of in-kind support provided by community volunteers, food donations, guestspeakers, site visits, field trips, equipment donations provided to school or district in support of the farm toschool activitiesMeasure 2.5: Amount of money generated at the school site through farm to school related activities, such asfundraisers with sales of plants grown by students in gardens, revenue from local governments or otherinstitutions, grants and other sources of funding receivedRecommended program element(s) needed for this outcome: procurement, gardening, and educationData sources: Market Maker National Network linking agricultural markets (available in 20 states), state grant programreporting documents and foundation grant program reporting documentsSee Appendix 5 for example data tracking tools for recording measures.NATIONAL FARM TO SCHOOL NETWORK