Farm to School Coalition of North Carolina

The following description is a summary of our farm to school plan funded by a 2014 USDA Farm to School Program grant: This project will demonstrate collaboration between schools, government agencies, nongovernmental and community based organizations, agricultural producer groups, and countless other community partners through a strong statewide coalition. Funding will support the Farm to School Coalition of NC in developing partnerships and conducting statewide planning and operations related to farm to school efforts. Given that 56% of North Carolina students qualify for free or reduced price school meals, the statewide work of the Coalition will reach a significant number of students and families in need of healthy, affordable local food and resources to support healthy eating. By the close of the grant, the Coalition will have developed a statewide directory of farm to school leaders, contacts, and resources, and will have hosted eight regional stakeholder meetings and one statewide conference.