California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program funds are hard at work in Tulare County helping Porterville Unified School District’s Student Nutrition Services strengthen farm to school connections across the district and expand its commitment to purchasing locally grown food.
In 2024, Porterville USD was awarded $200,000 to procure local food to incorporate into a Harvest of the Month program, as well as support paid internships for three district students in partnership with statewide nonprofit Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS). In a true farm to school experience, two summer interns even grew pumpkins used in Porterville USD’s signature “cowboy bread” served in school meals.
Interns also analyzed greenhouse gas emissions from produce deliveries. Their data shows that sourcing locally grown produce not only provides fresher food, but also emits only a fraction of the greenhouse gases generated by shipments from outside California. Porterville USD local producers include EZM Inc., Castle Brite Farms, Shanley Farms, Fresno BIPOC, Sunlight Almonds, J&R Meat Company and Madera Queen Honey. Farmers involved in the project agree that working directly with schools has created positive impacts on their livelihoods through stable partnerships and opportunities to connect directly with the community.
By bringing locally produced foods into cafeterias and classrooms, Porterville students are learning where their food comes from and building lasting appreciation for sustainability, community and the importance of supporting local farmers for generations to come.
This work reflects the growing farm to school movement by connecting education, nutrition, sustainability and local agriculture. To learn more or get involved, visit CDFA’s CA Farm to School Program website or send a message to: cafarmtoschool@cdfa.ca.gov.
October is National Farm to School Month! Join us and thousands of schools, early care and education sites, farms, communities and organizations across the country as we celebrate food education, school gardens and lunch trays filled with healthy, local ingredients.
Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds blog post.