Sarasota County Farm to School Program

The Sarasota County Farm to School Program is supported by UF/IFAS-Sarasota County Extension to strengthen the local agricultural economy, and to provide “Local Food for Healthy Children” in our public school lunch programs.  It is part of the National Farm to School Program which educates communities how to provide locally-grown foods in school meals for the benefits of high nutrition to the children and for opportunities in direct marketing and risk management to farmers, especially producers on middle to small size family farms.  The national Program provides national and southeast region newsletters of project information and resources. 

The goals of the Sarasota County Farm to School also include improving the public’s awareness of Florida agriculture, especially teaching our children how food is grown.  For example, support is provided to local schools to provide edible school gardens for students of all ages.  It supports the efforts of the Sarasota County School District to significantly improve the nutritional quality of school lunches in cooperation with the Food Service Director and it strengthens their Wellness Policies to promote healthy eating choices and behavior.  Finally, it supports local efforts to address serious community health issues such youth obesity and food security. 

Pilot projects have been successfully facilitated, as well as in partnership with Manatee County. In the school year 07-08, the local foods served in school lunches included tangerines from the Hi Hat Ranch in Sarasota, FL and potatoes from the Jones Potato Farm in Parrish, FL.  Currently these efforts are being supported by the Farm to School Program of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services which offers a website to connect local farmers to local school districts. 

There are community partner opportunities assisting the Sarasota County Farm to School Program meet its goals.  Community partners include the Sarasota County Farm Bureau which provided a $5,000 grant and the Florida West Coast Resource Conservation and Development, as well as past funding from Sarasota County government.  All Faiths Food Bank of Sarasota, the Sarasota-Manatee Originals (a group of over 50 Independently-owned restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee Counties) and the Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota County have endorsed our Farm to School Program and have agreed to provide a variety of support services.  

The Sarasota County Farm to School Program welcomes all interested groups or individuals wishing to get involved in supporting its goals, including volunteers for edible school gardens. Educational presentations are available about the Program to community groups - just contact Robert Kluson, Sarasota County Extension, at (941) 861-5000.

Farmer and Rancher Article on the Sarasota County Farm to School Program

Sarasota Co. Farm to School In the News

1. July 21, 2009 - Sarasota Herald