Food Service

Why Farm to Kids Matters in the Cafeteria

Food service professionals play a key role in Farm to Kids by helping bring fresh, local foods into school meals that students enjoy and trust. Their participation supports local farmers, improves food quality, and helps students build healthier eating habits.

How Do I Start or Expand a Farm to School Program in my District?

Farm to Kids

The Minnesota Department of Education Farm to Kids shares how schools and early care programs across Minnesota are bringing more local foods, gardening, and agriculture education to kids.

Farm to School and Early Care Programs

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture offers grants to help local schools and childcare centers buy and serve fresh, Minnesota-grown food.

Farm to School Practices

‍ ‍Tools from the University of Minnesota Extension to bring local food into school meals and learning environments.

How Can I Plan School Menus Around Local, Seasonal Ingredients?

The Lunch Box

‍ ‍The Lunch Box provides recipes and menu ideas designed for school cafeterias and meal programs.

Celebrate Seasonality

‍ ‍This guide celebrates seasonal foods and offers tips for using local produce throughout the year.

Where Can I Find Recipes Featuring Local Foods?

Farm to School Recipes

‍ ‍This collection shares free farm to school recipes developed by the Chef Ann Foundation.

MN Harvest Recipe Book

‍ ‍Collection of recipes highlighting Minnesota-grown ingredients suitable for school and early care settings.

New School Cuisine 2025

‍ ‍Updated school-friendly recipes designed to meet nutrition standards while incorporating local foods.

Scratch Works

Resources that support scratch school food or cooking and stronger connections between students, nutrition, and local communities

Connect with Farmers

Local Vendor Directories

Minnesota Grown

How to find local vendors, direct contact resources, map links.

Wholesalers

Map of Wholesalers in MN.

Minnesota Farmers Market Hubs

Farmers Market Hub is an online directory that helps finding farmers markets and local food vendors across the country.

Food Hubs

Farmers Market Food Hubs

Information on food hubs that aggregate local products, making purchasing easier for schools and institutions.

Sprout MN

Sprout MN supports local farmers and food businesses by helping them grow and succeed.

Good Acre

The Good Acre works to connect farmers, food buyers, and communities through collaborative food projects and markets. It supports regional growers by creating pathways to sell their products and build strong local food networks.

Procurement

Farm to School Procurement Guide

Procurement guides, how to buy from local farmers, templates, purchasing regulations.

Food from Farms: Toolkit for Direct Purchasing of Local Food

Includes templates for obtaining quotes, farmer invoice template, compliant with the USDA guide.

Bringing the Farm to School Videos

‍ ‍Short videos showcasing successful Farm to School procurement and partnerships.

Food Safety

Legal Guidelines

Legal Local Overview for Schools

‍ ‍School Nutrition Programs are allowed to procure and serve locally grown foods. When buying products directly from a farm for your food service operation, it is important to know the food safety requirements that farmers must follow.

Local Food Sales

‍ ‍Required food safety training, guidelines for purchasing, links to state certification requirements.

Communicating with Farmers

Food Safety Questions to Ask Your Farmer

Food Safety Questions to Ask Your Farmer from the Minnesota Department of Education.

Talk with Your Produce Farmer About Food Safety

Extension web page to help food service operations start conversations with local farmers.

Wellness Policy Requirements for School Meals

Wellness Policy

Resources from the Minnesota Department of Education for school meal programs and wellness efforts.