Today, state education and agricultural leaders kicked off an initiative to spotlight how Massachusetts students connect with the state’s rich farming heritage and history. Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper was joined by Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Commissioner Amy Kershaw, and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle at the MetroWest YMCA Outdoor Center in Hopkinton for an announcement of this effort that coincides with the country’s 250th birthday. The launch features a new website with 250+ “snapshots” of Farm to School programs across Massachusetts.
The project highlights how early education programs, schools, colleges, and universities across the state bring local foods into their cafeterias. It also showcases how teachers weave food and farming into their curricula. Students receive an interactive hands-on learning experience on how food is grown and harvested. At the same time, schools are building strong relationships with local farmers and community partners while supporting the local agricultural economy by purchasing food grown here.
The Farm to School stories focus on the “Three C’s”: Cafeteria, Classroom, and Community. Connecting these three areas help boost the local agricultural economy while improving student health. They also lead to better learning outcomes and foster closer community ties.
