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ERIC Number: ED672973
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Oct
Pages: 110
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
2023 Farm to School Census Report
Nicole Machata; Leah Jennings; Heather Morrison; Maria Boyle
US Department of Agriculture
To gain insight into the farm to school practices implemented across the country, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) regularly conducts the Farm to School Census (Census). The Census is an online survey sent to all school food authorities (SFAs) in the U.S. and its territories that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). The Census collects information on farm to school participation, such as the types of farm to school activities SFAs do and do not participate in, support for these activities, and challenges to participating. This report presents findings from the latest Farm to School Census, which was conducted in fall 2023 and asked questions about SFAs' activities in school year (SY) 2022-23. A total of 12,5591 SFAs submitted the survey (67 percent of those invited), and the findings in this report are weighted to be representative of all SFAs in the U.S. The report is organized into four sections: (1) Overview of Farm to School Participation, summarizing key descriptors of farm to school participation among SFAs in SY 2022-23; (2) Farm to School Activities and Outcomes, providing details about the farm to school activities that SFAs engaged in and resulting outcomes; (3) Farm to School Environment, offering information about the policies and infrastructure that make up the context in which SFAs pursue farm to school; and (4) The Road Ahead for Farm to School, highlighting opportunities for growth of farm to school programs. Results of the 2023 Census illustrated that farm to school has become a part of the fabric of U.S. schools, as most schools and SFAs--81 percent of SFAs as of fall 2024--participated in at least one farm to school activity. Despite the stresses on schools and communities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic--such as supply chain disruptions, pivoting to virtual learning, and labor shortages--farm to school programs persisted and even expanded since SY 2018-19. These programs were widespread: students across grade levels were exposed to farm to school activities, and SFAs with large populations of students receiving free or reduced-price (F/RP) meals were just as likely to participate in farm to school as SFAs with low numbers of students receiving F/RP meals. Appendices include a description of the Census methodology, data analysis tables, and the complete 2023 Farm to School Census survey.
US Department of Agriculture. 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250. Web site: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Elementary Education; Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education; High Schools; Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) (USDA); Decision Information Resources, Inc.; Mathematica
Grant or Contract Numbers: 140D0422A0010/14D0423F0807
Author Affiliations: N/A