Local Food Alliance

Local Food Alliance (LFA) is a backbone organization - we coordinate and facilitate existing programs, organizations and efforts that share the goal of a resilient local food system. A key and critical component towards that end is farm to school food, not only for student health, self-esteem and performance (academic and athletic), but also for its positive impact upon community and local econonomy and the values it instills in our school children. If children learn to grow & prepare food, as well as the science and economic aspects of food production, it will strengthen the health, local economy, and fabric of our community. LFA identifies existing efforts towards this end, connects them to each other, and facilitates a holistic, systemic approach towards solutions and collective impact.

Farm to school food is LFA's founding and grounding strategy. Beginning with a pilot program at Syringa Mountain School, a charter public school, we have initiated and coordinated farm to school lunch options at all four of our valley's private schools in the past 3 years, while consistently introducing resources for farm to school to the Blaine County School District. Taking a systemic approach, we research supply and demand of local food and identify gaps and solutions in our food system infrastruture - production, processing, distribution, preparation and delivery - both as it relates to school food and within the larger community so that the ultimate school solution will be supported. LFA is represented on the district Wellness Committee, for which we identify funding and resources in support of a farm to school food transition to replace the current corporate food service; as school board seats open, we identify and promote representatives aligned with farm to school objectives; and we consistently meet with our superintendent to understand barriers and objectives alike.

LFA's holistic, systemic approach places school food at the center of a community strategy. We collaborate with local organizations and businesses - YMCA, Farmers' Market, The Hunger Coalition, Recreation District, to name a few - to educate and inspire community members to grow and source fresh, nutrient-rich food, not just for their own health, but for that of our community, our local economy, and the environment. At our annual Wood River Valley HarvestFest, we pair restaurants with local producers for a restaurant walk to strengthen both the restaurants' and their patrons' connection to local sources and the quality of freshness. In this way, the farm to school strategy is couched in an evolving community value set towards learning how to produce, prepare, and/or access fresh, chemical-free foods.