Farm to School

What is Farm to School?

WSU Clallam Extension SNAP-Ed works closely with school districts to develop programs that promote student, staff, and community wellness. In 2022, the Clallam Extension Community Health SNAP-Ed program manager began to establish an official regional Farm to School program to expand equitable access to healthy food and outdoor education in our local institutions.  From the National Farm to School Network:

“Farm-to-school enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and early care and education settings.” 

Knowing that implementing a farm to school program can be a challenging endeavor, WSU Clallam Extension provides a multitude of services to regional school districts: 

School gardens 

In 2019, WSU Extension VISTA Benji Astrachan began to support teachers and community members in their efforts to build and sustain school gardens in the Port Angeles School District. We continue to support school garden projects by distributing resources and supplies, providing technical assistance and assisting with fundraising efforts.  

In 2023, WSU Extension SNAP-Ed hired the first regional Extension employee dedicated to delivering garden-based horticulture, nutrition and science education in schools. Our educator is continually developing garden-based curriculum that directly compliments State standards. Our team and project partners envision healthy schools with outdoor classrooms where students can learn, play and be nourished.  

Local Procurement 

The WSU Clallam Extension Farm to School team offers consultation to school districts and school meal service departments exploring local sourcing, scratch cooking and nutrition program menu development.  

Contact danielle.carson@wsu.edu if you represent a meal service department and are interested in learning more about Farm to School. 

Education 

Through community partnerships and relationships with community-based organizations, educators, farmers, Master Gardeners and 4-H, WSU Clallam Extension Farm to School is working to offer experiential place-based food systems education.