Massachusetts Farm to School Programs Provide Mutual Benefits for Schools and Farmers
In partnership with: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
From locally sourced chicken to farm fresh beef to diced butternut squash and much more, Massachusetts is seeing more farm to school programs than ever before. And it’s all thanks to some new incentive programs and hardworking advocates in the state.
Massachusetts Farm to School, a 20-year-old organization, aims to increase local food purchasing and education at schools. The group connects local farmers with schools, supports programming and educational activities, and helps farms navigate challenges like distribution, among other things.
“Today, the amount of interest and desire for produce and other farm products throughout Massachusetts schools is through the roof,” says Lisa Damon, Massachusetts Farm to School co-director, who has been with the organization for 11 years and previously worked for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
Schools are taking advantage of a few programs to invest in local foods. One of them is the MA FRESH Grant, which offered $570,000 in total funding to K-12 schools and early care sites in 2024 to support farm to school programming. Massachusetts Farm to School is supporting legislation that would make this an ongoing, permanent program.
Plus, Northeast Food for Schools, a one-time program supported by $3.5 million from the federal government, allocated money to school districts in 2023 through 2024 to expand local food purchasing.
See more: A Brief History of Massachusetts Agriculture
Taste the Difference
Nauset Public Schools on the Cape was a grantee of Northeast Food for Schools and put that money to work by purchasing spring chickens from Hillside Poultry in Truro. Now, the district is integrating that chicken into its menu, from taco Tuesdays to Thai recipes for older children.
“It kind of gives you a different flavor and a different local flair to it,” says Sue Murray, director of food and nutrition services for the district.
Murray adds that lunch purchases have increased since they started using the local chicken.
In addition to locally sourced poultry, Nauset Public Schools integrates farm to school concepts through school gardens, including hydroponic agriculture using grow towers. The schools grow different types of produce in these towers, including lettuce. Murray says one lettuce tower can produce 30 pounds of leafy greens about every three weeks.
Aside from the growing interest in school lunches among students, investing in local food has other benefits.
“We get a healthier product, and we’re supporting a local farmer,” Murray says.
See more: Massachusetts Ag Education Cultivates the Next Generation of Agriculturalists
of Austin Ridge Acres; Photo credit: Austin Ridge Acres
Beyond the Tray
Meanwhile, farmers like Loni Austin in Belchertown also reap the benefits of farm to school programs. Austin, a beef farmer with Austin Ridge Acres, began providing stew and ground beef to Belchertown, East Longmeadow and Chicopee public schools after first being connected with Belchertown in 2023.
“As a farmer, we’re always trying to expand and sell our product,” Austin says, explaining that though the initial contract with the schools was only for a year, it’s a reliable way to move a set amount of product.
As a bonus, the farm receives free passive advertising by being featured on the schools’ menus, which can attract people to buy on-site at their farm store, The Hen House at Austin Ridge Acres.
Plus, with a daughter in the Belchertown school system, Austin likes knowing that her kid is getting fresh, local food.
“She’s like, ‘Mom, what’s for lunch today?’ And I’m like, ‘Us,’” Austin laughs.
Austin hopes opportunities like this continue and that additional funding is made available.
“I wish there was more funding to be able to give and support the schools to be able to supply this,” Austin says. “It’s great. It’s exciting that there is a program out there that is trying to do that. So even if it’s only twice a month that they get it on the menu, it’s something.”
See more: Massachusetts Farmers Market Programs Help Combat Food Insecurity