California first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom recently highlighted the growing momentum among U.S. mayors to implement farm-to-school programs that help the nation’s schoolchildren eat healthier.
The Climate Mayors, as the network is known, are recognizing the role of farm-to-school programs in advancing food security, supporting local economies, addressing climate change and improving the quality of school meals for millions of children, according to a news release.
“California is proud to lead the way in providing fresh, locally sourced and nutritious meals to our children,” Newsom said. “But California Farm to School is about more than food — it’s about the health of our children, the economic health of our communities and the health of our environment. It’s inspiring to see this regenerative model embraced across the country as we work together to ensure no child goes hungry and every child has the nourishment they need to not just survive, but thrive.”
Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb said the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s farm-to-school program is expanding and making a difference in students’ lives.
“Learning from innovative models like California’s helps guide our efforts to source and provide fresh, locally sourced meals,” Bibb said. “The Climate Mayors will continue to champion farm-to-school programs — not just for the environment and the economy, but for our children, who are the future of our cities and communities.”
In tandem with California’s first-in-the-nation Universal School Meals initiative, which provides students with two free meals each day, California Farm to School has become a national model, the release said.
The program also aligns closely with the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who has championed farm-to-school initiatives as a cornerstone of efforts to strengthen local food systems and support small and underserved farmers. His advocacy underscores the importance of strategic investments in local food systems to create healthier school environments, fortify rural economies and reduce food insecurity, the release said.
“USDA celebrates first partner Newsom and California’s commitment to the farm-to-school programs that nourish children, support local farmers and promote healthy eating,” Vilsack said. “With leadership like the state of California and the Climate Mayors network, we’re building a future nation where every child has access to fresh, healthy meals and the opportunity to thrive — in the classroom, and beyond.”
The release said key findings from a recent evaluation of California Farm to School include:
- 57% of participating California Farm to School farmer grantees increased sales to schools between April and September 2023, with school sales comprising an average of 33% of their total farm revenues.
- 94% of participating farmers are small-to-midsize operations, and many represent historically underrepresented groups, with 62% owned by women and 42% by Black, Indigenous and people of color.
- 100% of participating farmers have adopted, or plan to adopt, climate-smart agricultural practices, reduced pesticide use and expanded organic farming.
California’s $100 million investment in California Farm to School — the largest in the nation — has generated interest from other states and municipalities, and the momentum reflects bipartisan recognition of farm-to-school programs as effective solutions to pressing challenges in health, education and climate resilience, the release said.
