Supporting Farm-to-School: Investing in Healthy, Local Food for Students

Ensuring schools have the infrastructure and funding to provide fresh, local food is essential for student’s health and learning. The Farm-to-School FRESH grant in Massachusetts helps schools purchase local food, build commercial kitchens, and create garden spaces for hands-on learning.

Originally launched in response to pandemic-related food supply challenges, this grant program empowers schools to serve culturally relevant, scratch-made meals while educating students about nutrition and food systems. It also promotes health equity by prioritizing low-income schools.

Lynn Lawrence, a teacher participating in Marion Institute’s Grow Education program in New Bedford Public Schools, sees the impact firsthand:

“My third-grade students are eating healthier at school and asking their parents to eat healthier at home because of The Marion Institute’s Grow Education program.”

What is the Farm-to-School Grant?

The Farm-to-School FRESH (Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health) grant helps schools:

• Purchase more local food to serve fresh, nutritious meals.
• Build infrastructure like commercial kitchens to prepare culturally relevant food.
• Create school gardens for hands-on learning about food and nutrition.
• Expand career pathways in the food industry for students.

Why It Matters

• Was started during the pandemic to address school food supply issues.
• Promotes health equity in low-income schools.
• Encourages healthier eating habits—students learn about nutrition and bring these lessons home.

How You Can Help

• Support Health Equity by Learning about HIP which provides fresh local fruits and vegetables to low income individuals while supporting local farmers.
• Go to farmers markets and support your local farmers, view where the nearest farmers markets are to you via SEMAP’s guide here.
• Create Career Pathways: Help students explore opportunities in the food industry, from farm work to culinary arts and nutrition careers.
• Share your knowledge and advocacy efforts with people in your community to ensure this grant becomes a permanent part of the state budget.
• Support your local farm-to-school program by donating to Marion Institute’s Grow Education Program, here.