Support Farm to School Expansion
Help Us Grow a Healthier Future for Our Children
The Farm to School program connects schools with local farms to serve healthy meals in cafeterias, improve student nutrition, provide agriculture and food education, and help farmers attain the necessary equipment and infrastructure they need to sell to schools. With your support, we can expand this vital program to reach more schools and communities.
The Oregon legislature has been supporting farm to school funding since 2011 with over $40M to date- let’s thank them for this support and make sure this critical funding for schools, food producers and educational programs continues to help build healthy, resilient communities!
Why We Need Your Testimony
Our legislators are currently considering budget allocations for the upcoming fiscal year. Your personal stories and experiences can make a powerful impact on their decision to increase funding for Farm to School initiatives! We are currently asking to raise funds for two initiatives: The Producer Equipment & Infrastructure Grant through ODA and expansion of the Farm to School program through ODE includes funding for the Farm to School Education Grant, Reimbursement Grants for Oregon Food, and funding for technical assistance.
FARM TO SCHOOL & SCHOOL GARDENS CREATE A RESILIENT COMMUNITY
Farm to School Grants provide funding for schools to purchase healthy, local food and provide hands-on food and agriculture education. Funding in the ODE budget includes funding for the Farm to School Education Grant, Reimbursement Grants for Oregon Food, and funding for technical assistance.
Your testimony can highlight:
- How Farm to School programs have benefited your children, school, or community
- How nutrition education has improved healthy habits in your family
- The importance of connecting children to the source of their food
- How it builds a strong local food system and supports our local economy
- How it supports schools as hubs for communities especially during times of crisis such as wildfires and pandemic
BETTER Access for Oregon Producers
Your words can help secure the Equipment & Infrastructure Grant for Oregon Producers. These grants provide funding to local producers to establish necessary infrastructure and purchase equipment to support the school marketplace.
Your testimony can highlight:
- How Farm to School programs have benefited your business or farm
- Why fresh, local food in schools matters to you
- How these programs support local farmers and strengthen our economy
- How it addresses a significant barrier for small and mid-sized producers selling to schools.
- How it helps food producers who aspire to enter the school food market.
- The significant need for food producers to be equipped to meet the growing demand from schools for local products.
- How schools and child care centers have specific requirements for products in regards to quantities, delivery, storage and food safety.
How to Submit Your Testimony
- Prepare your own statement (300-500 words recommended) or use this template.
- Include your name, address, and connection to the program (parent, teacher, farmer, etc.)
- Submit your testimony using our online form below
Speak at the ways & Means Roadshow
The Ways and Means Committee of the Oregon Legislature is making decisions on our state budget, including funding for important programs like Farm to School. They are holding regional public hearings across the state, and we need your voice!
Are you willing to speak up for Farm to School funding? The Oregon Farm to School Network is here to help you prepare your comments if needed. Below is some sample testimony language to get you started.
SAMPLE TESTIMONY LANGUAGE
Oregon’s Farm to School Programs help schools and early childhood education programs purchase Oregon-grown foods, support hands-on farm and garden education, and provide essential equipment for food producers. These programs play a vital role in building strong local food systems and improving student health.
These programs work in tandem with Oregon's push to expand free breakfast and lunch to every public school, HB 3435. The virtuous cycle of increased meal service through free meal programs allows districts to source even more fresh, local ingredients in bulk.
We are asking the legislature to support:
- $12M for Farm to School in the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) budget
- $1M for Farm to School in the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) budget
- Fully funding HB 3435, School Meals for All
With the elimination of federal funding sources and the rising costs of food, supplies, and staffing, a modest increase in funding is crucial for the sustainability of this important program.
How to Participate:
You’ll generally have 1-2 minutes to speak, depending on the number of registrants. The earlier you register, the better your chances of being heard!
To register:
- Go to the Oregon State Legislature website.
- Click "Register to Testify"
- Use the drop-down menu to select the date of the hearing you'd like to attend.
- Fill out your name and contact information.
- That's it – you're registered!
Important Notes:
- You must attend the entire hearing, but you may or may not be called to speak.
- Even if you don’t get the chance to speak, we will send you Farm to School stickers to wear, so the committee knows you’re showing up to support this important cause!
ROADSHOW DATES
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March 22, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Mt. Hood Community College Theater
26000 SE Stark St., Gresham -
March 28, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Liberty Theatre
1203 Commercial St., Astoria -
April 4, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Old Warm Springs Elementary School
1112 Wasco St., Warm Springs -
April 11, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Eastern Oregon University, Hoke Union Building #339
1 University Blvd., La Grande -
April 16, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Oregon State Capitol, Salem -
April 25, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Klamath Community College, Building 4 Commons
7390 South 6th St., Klamath Falls
Let Us Know You’re Coming
If you're planning to attend and speak, please fill out the form below, so we can connect you with others and track who’s willing to speak on behalf of Farm to School funding. We greatly appreciate your support!
Supporting Endorsers
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1000 Friends of Oregon
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Adelante Mujeres
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Bend Urban Gardens LLC
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Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Treasure Valley
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Burnt River Charter School
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Capaces Leadership Institute
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Central Oregon Health Council
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Clackamas Service Center
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Clatskanie Farmer Collective
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Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA)
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Corvallis Environmental Center
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Cove School District #15
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Ecotrust
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Farm and Food Justice Network
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Farmers Market Fund
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Fishpatricks Specialty Canned Tuna
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FoodCorps
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Friends of Family Farmers
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Good Groceries LLC
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Grow Portland
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High Desert Food and Farm Alliance
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Hummingbird Wholesale
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Josephine County Farm Collective
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Juvenile Detention Education Skills Lab
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Keep Growing Seeds
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Kitchen Sync Strategies
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Knappa School District
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Lane County Farmers Market
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Little Wings Farm
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Luckiamute Valley Charter School
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Marché Restaurant Group
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Neighborhood House
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Oregon Coast Visitors Association
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Oregon Hunger Task Force
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Oregon PTA
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Oregon Organic Coalition
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Oregon School Nutrition Association
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Oregon School-Based Health Alliance
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OtterBee's Market
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Our Children Oregon
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Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon
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Prevent Child Abuse Oregon
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Redmond School District
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RedTwig Education, LLC
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Rogue Farm Corps
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Rogue Food Unites
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Rogue Valley Farm to School
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Seaside School District #10
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Seed to Table Oregon
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Slow Food Portland
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Sodexo/Lincoln County School District
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South Wasco School District
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Springfield Public Schools
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The Environmental Center
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The Manav Foundation
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The Wild Locals
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Umi Organic
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Vale SD#84
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Valley Flora Farm
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Willamina School District
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Whole Earth Nature School
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Womens Foundation of Oregon