The Farmer Direct Model

Strategy: The Farmer Direct Model provides schools with alternative farm to school programming. Once relationships are established, CFJ will work with schools participating in the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in the Classroom program to scale up their programs and utilize our emerging distribution models to purchase foods for their cafeterias.

Operations: The farmer dircet model will work with a local CSA farm to create a CSA in the classroom program that incorporates nutrition and agricultural messaging provided both by the farm and the Network for a Healthy California. Basket assembly, delivery, and in-class nutrition education will be provided by farm staff. A supplemental on-farm agricultural education program will support in-classroom activities.

Objectives:

Implement an increased number of holistic farm to school programs beginning with CSA in the classroom activities.
Provide hands on nutrition education.
Expand innovative farm to school programs beyond cafeteria and school programs such as CSA subscriptions for parents, staff and families close to participating schools.
Create experiential on-farm experiences for participating students and teachers.
Utilize emerging distribution models (outlined above) to provide local foods for newly established salad bar programs.
Increase community awareness of food production and food delivery systems.
Build institutional awareness about local food purchasing programs.
Assist institutions in the development of local food programs.

To participate in or for more information about these projects please contact:

Vanessa Zajfen
vzajfen@oxy.edu
323 341 5092

Sharon Cech
cech@oxy.edu
323 341 5091

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Farm to Institution Projects

The Farmer Direct Model