The Farm to School Census and Comprehensive Review includes the 2019 Farm to School Census; a descriptive review of the USDA Farm to School Grant Program; a review of published research on farm to school since 2010; and a set of interviews with school food distributors. These reports will be released over the course of 2021.
The Farm to School Literature Review report summarizes findings from a review of published research on farm to school since 2010. The Literature Review synthesized current findings and analyzed gaps in available knowledge and data related to:
- Farm to school policy and funding at the state and local level;
- Farm to school activities, their impact on students, and characteristics of participating school food authorities;
- Local food procurement practices and challenges; and
- The impact of farm to school spending on the local economy.
Appendix E of the Farm to School Literature Review report summarizes findings from interviews with school food distributors conducted in 2019.
The Farm to School Grantee Report analyzes baseline, progress and final reports submitted to FNS by 365 grantees who received Farm to School Grant awards in fiscal years 2013–2017. It provides an assessment of Farm to School grantee efforts nationwide, focusing on grantee-reported achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. Key findings include:
- Grantees implemented a range of activities focused on local foods, including using school garden produce in school meals and cooking from scratch, and reported an increase in school and school district policies supporting farm to school efforts over the course of the grant.
- Almost all grantees reported that their partner schools served local foods in their cafeterias, though definitions of “local" varied by school or district.
- Among grantees, 91 percent reported that grant funds were sufficient for meeting the project goals.