Adirondack Farm to School Initiative

The Adirondack Farm to School Initiative (ADKF2S) was formed in 2013 when the SLCS Food Service Director, Ruth Pino, organized a committee to create initial connections between schools and local farms in order to support the local economy, serve local foods in schools, and bring food-related education into the classroom. 

We currently support School Gardens in 4 School Districts and are working with Garden Coordinators, teachers, and committed volunteers to develop garden-based curriculum for K-12 in the following schools:

Saranac Lake Centeral Schools (Bloomingdale, Petrova, SLHS)

Lake Placid Central Schools (LPES & LP Middle-High School)

Tupper Lake Central Schools (LP Quinn, TLHS)

Keene Central School

Our Edible Schoolyard page is a compilation of resources and curriculm that have been developed for Adirondack Gardeners. The curriculum takes into account the unique joys and challenges of gardening in small, rural, primarily public school districts with short growing seasons and long winters! We hope you find something of use. 

Mission Statement 
The Adirondack Farm to School Initiative works with schools and communities to rebuild a healthy food system in the Adirondacks and create connections between classrooms, cafeterias, communities, and local farms. The goal of this initiative is to enrich children's bodies and minds while supporting local economies, bringing local food into school cafeterias and creating hands-on learning activities through school gardens, farm visits, culinary classes, and integration of food-related education into the regular classroom curriculum. We believe that through growing, harvesting, and preparing nutritious foods, children gain confidence, develop critical thinking skills, feel a sense of power over their own health, and can impact family purchasing, cooking, and eating patterns.