Orcas Island Farm to Cafeteria Program

Orcas Island is located off the coast of Washington State in the San Juan Islands.  We have had an active and vibrant farm to cafeteria program since 2005 which includes our newly expanded garden, our K-8 Farm to Classroom, and fresh scratch-cooked meals in the school cafeteria using locally grown organic produce and meats.  

We also have held our "5th Season" event for the past 5 years where we gather all the rich and abundant produce grown on our Island during the summer when school is out and bring together volunteers who process and freeze those items so they may be used in cafeteria lunches during the following school year.

We hold our annual Student Chef Competition each year where K-12 students show off their culinary expertise for proud recognition  and prizes.  Information on our competition and slideshows of past competitions may be found on our web site at www.orcasislandf2c.org.  Click on "Student Chef Competition."

Our program is used as a model in an independent study course for teacher professional development through Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA.  A description of this course is found at http://enhancementcourses.com/course/farm-to-school-a-growing-movement

Thanks to the incredible organic farms and generous community of our tiny island of only 4700 year-round residents, our program thrives and thus our children thrive and learn more about the benefits of good food, good health and the culinary arts that go with them into their adult lives.