Farm to School

Since 2022, Farm to School has been a strategic priority for the Syracuse City School District, focused on increasing the volume and variety of New York State grown foods in school meals. SCSD partners with organizations across the state to strengthen the local food system and create new procurement opportunities. These efforts promote a more sustainable, regional, and economically viable food system for students and communities. Key initiatives include:

• Securing $161,488 in USDA Local Food for Schools (LFS) funds to purchaselocal food items produced by NYS farms and served monthly as part of the Harvest of the Month program,
• Participating in a NYS  geographic preference bid process in Onondaga County, expanding farm to school access to neighboring districts,
• Formed an SCSD Farm to School Committee to engage educators and food service staff district-wide through professional development,
• Collaborating with Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest NY to advocate for and hire a regional Farm to School coordinator, and
• Building capacity to meet the 30% NYS Initiative for local purchasing. During the 2024-25 school year, SCSD Food & Nutrition Department purchased food from 7 cooperatives and distributors, representing 275 farmers!