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Farm to School (F2S) initiatives are the practice of participating in and promoting the use of locally sourced foods in school meal programs. Key elements of F2S are engaging with procurement, nutrition education, and school gardens.
Farm to Institution initiatives are the practice of engaging and developing regional food system supply chains to provide local food to eaters through institutional kitchens such as corporate and college campuses, hospitals, and food banks.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Agricultural Development Division provides services through a Farm to School and Institution Specialist and DATCP programs focusing on procurement and economic development for farmers by supporting and facilitating connections along local food supply chains from producer to processor, buyer, and ultimately to people's plates.
Farm to School is an international movement calling to support our local producers in providing a bounty for nutritious school meals and snacks for all.
Wisconsin Farm to School
After many years of a statewide grassroots efforts, Wisconsin Act 293 established a DATCP Farm to School Program which formalized and provided structure to Wisconsin Farm to School and created the Wisconsin Farm to School Advisory Council.
The Wisconsin Farm to School Advisory Council members are nominated and appointed by the Secretary of DATCP. The council is comprised of 15 individuals, including a DATCP employee, DPI employee, DHS employee, and twelve other members who are farmers, experts in child health, school food service personnel, and others with interests in agriculture, nutrition, and education appointed by the DATCP Secretary. The council makes key recommendations to the DATCP Secretary that guide the development of Farm to School in Wisconsin and creates the required annual Wisconsin Farm to School Annual Report for the legislature under Wis. Stat 93.49 (5).
Wisconsin Farm to School Advisory Council Members
Farm to School Advisory Council Nomination Form
2020-22 Farm to School Annual Report (PDF)