For many kids across the country, “back to school” also means a return to the school garden. Just as farmers markets and community gardens have become more popular in recent years, so have farm to school programs that help students understand where their food comes from and the importance of a balanced diet.

The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) helps schools incorporate locally sourced foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, dairy, and seafood to school meals while utilizing activities like taste tests, farm field trips, and tending to school gardens in a classroom curriculum that teaches kids healthy nutrition habits.

Today, participation in farm to school programs has grown from just a handful of schools in the late 1990s to more than 67,000 schools in all 50 states, US territories, and the District of Columbia. School districts that have engaged in farm to school activities report a wide range of positive impacts, including:

• Increased parent and community support
• Improved participation in school meals
• Lower school meal program costs
• Reduced food waste

Why Child Nutrition Matters

Proper nutrition is important for everyone regardless of age, but it’s especially critical during childhood for growth and development and to prevent detrimental health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. However, the reality is that many kids still do not eat enough fruits and vegetables.

There is a strong link between nutrition and learning outcomes. Kids who go to school hungry often struggle to pay attention. In contrast, eating a healthy breakfast is associated with improved cognitive function (especially memory), reduced absenteeism, and improved mood. Studies show that the presence of a school garden can improve academic performance.

For many kids, school meals provide access to nutrition they don’t get anywhere else. For this reason, schools are in a unique position to help students make healthy eating choices that will lay a strong foundation for the rest of their lives.

Gardens Grow Positive Impacts for Children

Farm to school programs teach children where their food comes from and how different types of foods fuel their bodies. When young kids are exposed to a wide variety of healthy foods, they are more likely to try them—and like them. That’s why early access to nutrition education is so important.

Many schools incorporate school gardens as a way to get kids excited about learning. School gardens come in all shapes and sizes, as simple as a few containers on a windowsill or as large as multiple acres of land. Even small gardens can serve as living laboratories that help children gain familiarity with fruits and vegetables. Hands-on learning in the garden focused on food, health, agriculture, and nutrition often incorporates Greening STEM principles. 

The positive impacts of farm to school programs can be far-reaching, helping to promote equity in the food system and introducing students to diverse cultures through food preparation and tasting. Green spaces like school and community gardens can also reduce violence and lower crime rates. These shared spaces help build healthy habits and communities.

How You Can Get Involved

October is National Farm to School Month, a great time to explore opportunities to bring nutrition education to your school. 

Because the definition of farm to school is broad, the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program provides flexibility for individual schools to develop initiatives that are just as unique as their community. USDA distributes grant funding to improve access to local foods, provides training and technical assistance to schools, and shares research and data.

Here are some ways you can get started:

• USDA Farm to School Planning Toolkit: Designed for use by schools, school districts, and community partners, this comprehensive guide includes questions to consider and helpful resources to reference when starting or growing a farm to school program. 
• FY 2024 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program Awardees: Get inspired by this year’s 154 grant winners who are serving an estimated 1.9 million students.
• American Community Garden Association’s “10 Steps to Starting a Community Garden”: Learn practical steps to consider when starting a community garden. Many of the lessons outlined here can be applied to launching a school garden as well. 
• The Great Garden Detective Adventure: This eleven-lesson curriculum from USDA helps 3rd and 4th Grader students discover which fruits and vegetables are sweetest, crunchiest, and juiciest through a series of investigations connecting the school garden to the classroom, school cafeteria, and home.
• NEEF Environmental Education Resources: Explore NEEF’s library of environmental education curriculum and activity guides, including topics like pollinators and invasive plants that can be incorporated into school garden activities.