LOUISIANA FARM TO SCHOOL REPORT: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION

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1 Contact: Louisiana Department of Education John Dupre Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Carrie Castille LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY LOUISIANA FARM TO SCHOOL REPORT: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION REPORT PREPARED IN RESPONSE TO SCR 94 OF THE 2014 REGULAR SESSION January 2015

2 Contact: Louisiana Department of Education John Dupre Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Carrie Castille EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Pursuant to Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 94) of the 2014 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, the Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (the agencies) prepared a report to make recommendations for the statewide implementation of a farm to school program. The state agencies convened of a diverse group of state agency leaders, local food interests and agricultural stakeholders throughout the state. It is a collaborative effort with the goal of identifying opportunities that allow the development of farm to school opportunities, build a sustainable local food economy, and, in turn, will help stimulate job creation and economic development while preserving farmland and increasing youth access to fresh, locally grown food. Louisiana s local agricultural economy is very important to the state and contributes over $12 billion to Louisiana. The ultimate goal is to forge partnerships throughout the entire Louisiana food system and open doors for all facets of agriculture. In identifying recommendations for farm to school implementation, the agencies discussed the following issues: 1. Conducting a thorough inventory of small and large farmers and crops across the state. 2. Developing specific farm to school standards and guidelines for farmers and schools. 3. Developing a plan to provide discounts to small farmers for insurance requirements that will enable them to participate in a farm to school program. 4. Developing a plan to increase the number of processing sites that prepare and package food products. 5. Develop a plan to ensure that schools have proper equipment to prepare food onsite.

3 FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM REPORT SCR 94 Overview The Louisiana Farm to School program legislation was sponsored by Senator Heitmeier during the 2014 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. The legislation required the Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (the agencies) to prepare a report and make recommendations for the statewide implementation of a farm to school program. The state agencies convened a diverse group of state agency leaders, local food interests and agricultural stakeholders throughout the state. It is a collaborative effort with the goal of identifying opportunities that allow the development of farm to school opportunities, build a sustainable local food economy, and, in turn, will help stimulate job creation and economic development while preserving farmland and increasing youth access to fresh, locally grown food. The legislation also identified the following goals for which the agencies are to make recommendations: 1. Conducting a thorough inventory of small and large farmers and crops across the state. 2. Developing specific farm to school standards and guidelines for farmers and schools. 3. Developing a plan to provide discounts to small farmers for insurance requirements that will enable them to participate in a farm to school program. 4. Developing a plan to increase the number of processing sites that prepare and package food products. 5. Develop a plan to ensure that schools have proper equipment to prepare food onsite. The agencies met on April 29th, 2014, September 18th, 2014, and October 16th, An additional meeting is tentatively planned for January The agencies also had numerous meetings with farm to Page 2

4 school stakeholders and stakeholder groups. Meeting listings and agendas are contained in the appendix. Presentation materials and background materials that comprise the basis for this report can be made available by contacting the Louisiana Legislature. Farm to School Program Overview Farm to school enriches the connection communities have with local, healthy food and food producers by changing food purchasing and educational activities at schools and preschools. Farm to school activities and policies are unique to location, and can be defined in a multitude of ways. For the purposes of this evaluation framework, the core elements of farm to school activities are: 1. Procurement of local and regional food products; 2. Gardening, based at schools and preschools; and 3. Education, food and farm related. We all benefit from Farm to School activities. Farm to school activities support community health through outcomes spanning multiple sectors, including public health, community economic development, education and environmental quality. The shared values of economic prosperity, equitable distribution of resources, individual well-being, education concerning food s relationship to personal health, and the quality of our natural environments are central to farm to school. Farm to school supports public health goals through the development of healthy eating habits in children, such as preferences for and consumption of fruits and vegetables, while addressing family food security through boosting the quality of school meal programs. Page 3

5 Some programs also have targeted family-specific activities such as cooking classes, or after-school gardening activities to reinforce lessons children learn at schools. With diet-related chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity on the rise and childhood poverty a continuing challenge, farm to school activities can be a public health strategy that improves dietary habits and changes cultural norms of school food environments. Farm to school supports community economic development goals by creating new jobs in school food service, agriculture and food processing and marketing-related industries, thereby keeping local dollars recirculating in the local economy. With 31 million children eating school lunch every day through the National School Lunch program, schools represent a burgeoning market for food producers, processors and distributors. Most of the above information is abridged from the national Farm to School website on an Evaluation for Transformation: A Cross Sectoral Evaluation for Farm to School ( Louisiana Farm to School Program Overview Louisiana has a number of existing and innovative Farm to School efforts underway. Some of these include: The Louisiana Farm to School Network a network of communications and resources that helps facilitate the development and implementation of local, regional, and state farm to school efforts. Louisiana Harvest of the Month Program - the LSU AgCenter plans to implement the Louisiana Harvest of the Month pilot program in three Louisiana schools Dufroq Elementary School in Baton Rouge, Andrew H. Wilson Charter School in New Orleans and North Bayou Rapides Elementary School in Alexandria. Harvest of the Month is designed to deliver fresh-from-the- Page 4

6 farm specialty-crop fruits and vegetables one day each month to each school. The program is being developed this fall and will be implemented starting in January 2015 by the LSU AgCenter in partnership with The Louisiana Farm to School Network, Fresh Beginnings, Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance (CLEDA), Slow Food Baton Rouge and other community partners. The program is funded through a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Grant Fund coordinated by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Louisiana Farm to School Conference - The LSU AgCenter has announced plans to host Louisiana's first Farm to School Conference in 2015 with funds awarded through a USDA Farm to School Conference and Events Grant. Focusing on the components of Farm to School: education, gardening and procurement; the conference will provide resources, topical discussion and technical assistance in areas such as local food procurement, food and garden safety, culinary education and incorporating curricula into existing core classes. East Baton Rouge Farm to School Stakeholders - a network of communications and resources including teachers, school nutrition coordinators and community organizaers, that helps facilitate the development and implementation of a farm to school program in East Baton Rouge Parish. During the school year, 142 school food authorities (SFAs) and 1,556 sites throughout Louisiana participated in the NSLP and/or School Breakfast Program (SBP). These programs served approximately 42 million breakfast meals and 88 million lunch meals to Louisiana students in public and non-public schools, and to children in juvenile institutions approved to participate in the programs. Programs relevant to Farm to School and administered by the Louisiana Department of Education include: National School Lunch Program (NSLP) - the National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating nationwide in over 100,000 public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions. Louisiana currently has 151 approved sponsoring Page 5

7 organizations, encompassing 1,547 sites participating in the NSLP. Generally, public or nonprofit private schools of high school grade or under and public or nonprofit private residential child care institutions may participate in the school lunch program. School districts and independent schools that choose to take part in the lunch program get cash subsidies and foods from the USDA for each meal they serve. In return, they must serve lunches that meet Federal requirements, and they must offer free or reduced price lunches to eligible children. School food authorities can also be reimbursed for snacks served to children through age 18 in afterschool educational or enrichment programs. School Breakfast Program (SBP) - the School Breakfast Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. The School Breakfast Program operates in the same manner as the National School Lunch Program. Generally, public or nonprofit private schools of high school grade or under and public or nonprofit private residential child care institutions may participate in the School Breakfast Program. School districts and independent schools that choose to take part in the breakfast program receive cash subsidies from the USDA for each meal they serve. In return, they must serve breakfasts that meet Federal requirements, and they must offer free or reduced price breakfasts to eligible children. Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) - the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) was established to ensure that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. Free meals, that meet Federal nutrition guidelines, are provided to all children 18 years old and under at approved SFSP sites in areas with significant concentrations of low-income children. During summer 2014, 127 sponsoring organizations with 1,081 sites throughout Louisiana were approved to operate the Summer Food Service Program. Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) the FFVP is a federally assisted program providing free fresh fruits and vegetables to all students in participating elementary schools during the school Page 6

8 day. It is an effective and creative way of introducing fresh fruits and vegetables as healthy snack options. The FFVP also encourages schools to develop partnerships at the state and local level for support in implementing and operating the program. FFVP began as a pilot program in 2002 and was expanded and made permanent in During the school year, the federal budget for the program was $40 million. Funding for the program has steadily increased and in the current ( ) school year, the program budget was expanded to $174.5 million. In Louisiana, the FFVP has expanded from five participating school food authorities ( school year) to twenty-six in the current school year. Elementary schools participating in the NSLP with 50% or more students qualifying for the free and reduced-price meals program may apply for FFVP funding. If funding is granted, all students in the school may participate and receive the fruit or vegetable snack, which is served outside of the breakfast and lunch programs. Special Milk Program (SMP) - the Special Milk Program provides milk to children in schools and childcare institutions who do not participate in other federal meal service programs. The program reimburses schools for the milk they serve. For school year , there are eight approved sponsoring organizations participating in the SMP in Louisiana. Updated NSLP/SBP meal pattern standards (HHFKA of 2010) - the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 required significant changes to the existing school meal patterns. These changes included the requirements that: five food components are offered at lunch, all grain served must be whole grain-rich, limits on both fat and sodium content of the meal be set, increased serving sizes of fruits and vegetables are offered, vegetables from 5 vegetable sub-groups be offered throughout the week, and limitations are set for calories. Additionally, children are now required to take at least ½ cup of fruit or vegetable with lunch and breakfast. All meals served to children must meet the meal pattern requirements to receive reimbursement. SCR 94 Objectives and Recommendations Page 7

9 The legislation required the agencies to prepare a report and make recommendations for the statewide implementation of a farm to school program. The legislation also identified the following goals in which the agencies are to make recommendations: 1. Conducting a thorough inventory of small and large farmers and crops across the state. 2. Developing specific farm to school standards and guidelines for farmers and schools. 3. Developing a plan to provide discounts to small farmers for insurance requirements that will enable them to participate in a farm to school program. 4. Developing a plan to increase the number of processing sites that prepare and package food products. 5. Develop a plan to ensure that schools have proper equipment to prepare food onsite. Each section of the report below will list the objective and specific recommendations for the legislature to consider. Conducting a thorough inventory of small and large farmers and crops across the state Louisiana agriculture, forestry and aquaculture contributed over $12 billion to the state s economy. Agriculture is one of the largest sectors in our state s economy. Louisiana produces a number fruits and vegetables throughout the state, and according to the LSU AgCenter, there are over 28,093 farms in Louisiana. Many of these farms produce poultry, feed grains, soybeans, sugarcane, beef cattle and rice. Based on information from the Louisiana Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, there are over 396 fruit and vegetable producers in 52 parishes. Parishes with greatest number of fruits and vegetable producers are Plaquemines, Tangipahoa, Avoyelles, St. James and Washington. Most growers range from one to twenty acres and have <10% have more than 20 acres in production. Specific numbers for the 2013 fruit and vegetable growing season are below: Page 8

10 Louisiana vegetables totaled over $53 million Louisiana fruits totaled over $28 million Louisiana's top fruits and vegetables are: o o o Sweet potatoes - over 7,000 acres totaling almost $49 million Strawberries - over 361 acres, 762,000 flats totaling over $12 million White Rice (if USDA guidelines change) - over 410,000 acres, over 31 million hundred weight totaling almost $500 million o o o o o o Citrus - almost 300,000 bushels totaling $5.4 million Peaches - almost 30,000 bushels totaling $1.1 million Okra - almost 100,000 bushels totaling over $3.8 million Squash - almost 90,000 bushels totaling over $3.4 million Greenhouse vegetables - almost 1 million lbs totaling almost $2 million Other vegetables including beets, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower and cucumbers - almost $6 million Developing specific farm to school standards and guidelines for farmers and schools The 2008 Farm Bill amended the National School Lunch Act to allow institutions receiving funds through the Child Nutrition Programs to apply a geographic preference when procuring unprocessed locally grown or raised agricultural products. This regulation provides favor to these products for child nutrition programs. SFAs participating in the USDA Child Nutrition Programs must follow federal and state procurement regulations. Federal procurement can be accessed at 7 CFR and 7 CFR 3016 at the following links listed below. h t t p : / / w w w. e c f r. g o v / c g i - b i n / t e x t - i d x? SID=ae03eb649d5a162da7a92a4eae2cd278&node=7: &rgn=div8 Page 9

11 Procurement must be conducted in a manner which provides full and open competition consistent with the standards of Louisiana procurement state statute can be found at R. S. 39:1596. The state of Louisiana limits the small purchase threshold which is set through executive order of the Governor. The link to state purchasing is listed below. Procurement Methods When procuring goods and services for the Child Nutrition Programs, a school food authority must determine whether they must use an informal or formal procurement method. Informal procurement occurs when a school food authority s purchases fall at or below the federal, state, or local small purchase threshold (whichever is more restrictive). The informal procurement method is commonly referred to as procurement under the small purchase threshold or simplified acquisitions. Although this method is permitted when the amount of a purchase falls at or below the most restrictive small purchase threshold, a school food authority could choose to use the formal procurement method (see below for more information) rather than the informal procurement method. Formal procurement occurs when a school food authority s purchases exceed the federal, state, or local small purchase threshold (whichever is more restrictive). Within formal procurement there are two methods available: Competitive Sealed Bidding (commonly referred to as sealed bidding and uses an invitation for bid or IFB) and Competitive Negotiation (which uses a request for proposal or RFP). States cannot mandate through law or policy that institutions apply a geographic preference when conducting procurement because this right is expressly granted to the purchasing institution. Page 10

12 The agencies have had numerous discussions with farm to school stakeholders and stakeholders regarding procurement. This continues to be an ongoing discussion in which the agencies are willing to continue the dialogue. Developing a plan to provide discounts to small farmers for insurance requirements that will enable them participate in a farm to school program. Farm to school stakeholders have identified insurance for small farmers as an obstacle to participation in farm to school programs. Stakeholders have recommended that the state pursue a program similar to the 2008 Limitation of Liability Law on Agritourism Operations in Louisiana. (La. R.S. 9: ) In response to the vulnerability for lawsuits and the problem with obtaining liability insurance, the Louisiana legislature passed House Bill 633 by Representative Anders as Act 591 of 2008; thereby enacting the Agritourism Limited Liability Law (R.S. 9:2795.4). This law is intended to limit the liability of agritourism professional for injuries that occur through no fault of the agritourism professional. The law defines agritourism, who is an agritourism professional, who is a participant in an agritourism activity, and what constitutes an inherent risk of an agritourism activity. Examples of integral conditions, dangers, or hazards are rough terrain, vines and other vegetation that someone may trip on, the behavior of wild or domestic animals, and risks associated with the normal and proper use of machinery and equipment. The decision as to what type of activities are agritourism activities is left to the commissioner of agriculture and forestry to make by regulation. Those regulations may be found in the Louisiana Administrative Code at (LAC 7:XLV.101, 103,105). In order to be eligible for coverage under this law, an agritourism professional engaging in one or more agritourism activity as defined by the commissioner, Page 11

13 must submit a plan of operation for each agritourism activity to the director of the extension service of the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and the director must approve the plan. Upon approval of the plan, the agritourism professional will be eligible for coverage under the law so long as: (1) the law is in effect, (2) the particular activity or type of activity is included in the regulations as an agritourism activity, and (3) the agritourism professional is conducting business in accordance with the plan. To invoke the limitation of liability provided by this law, an agritourism professional must post and maintain a sign or signs that contain a warning notice in a clearly visible location at the entrance to the agritourism location and at the site of the agritourism activity. The warning notice must be in black letters, with each letter a minimum of one inch in height. The warning must also be in any contract signed by the agritourism professional for the providing of professional services, instructions, or the rental of equipment and the warning must be in clearly readable print. The warning sign and the warning on the contract must read as follows: WARNING Under Louisiana law, R.S. 9:2795.5, there is no liability for an injury to or death of a participant in an agritourism activity conducted at this agritourism location if such injury or death results from the inherent risks of the agritourism activity. Inherent risks of agritourism activities include, among others, risks of injury inherent to land, equipment, and animals, as well as the potential for you to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to your injury or death. You are assuming the risk of participating in this agritourism activity. Page 12

14 Even under the law, an agritourism professional may still be liable for injuries caused by his or her willful or wanton disregard for the safety of the participants, intentionally injuring a participant, or failing to protect against a particularly known danger. Another risk that an agritourism professional may be liable for is injury caused to a participant by another participant, especially if the use of equipment is involved. The law does not cover product liability nor does it eliminate the requirement in which many organizations have for product liability insurance. Developing a plan to increase the number of processing sites that prepare and package food products The USDA, through the Rural Development program, has a number of resources to assist communities in developing processing sites for fresh and packaged food preparations. Through the USDA Strikeforce initiative, there have been a number of workshops throughout the state to provide outreach to communities on these resources. These resources are outlined below: Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program - the purpose of the B&I Guaranteed Loan Program is to improve, develop, or finance business, industry, and employment and improve the economic and environmental climate in rural communities. This purpose is achieved by bolstering the existing private credit structure through the guarantee of quality loans which will provide lasting community benefits. It is not intended that the guarantee authority will be used for marginal or substandard loans or for relief of lenders having such loans. Value-Added Producer Grants Program - the primary objective of the VAPG program is to help agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of bio-based value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the end goals of this program. You may receive priority if you are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative, Page 13

15 or are proposing a mid-tier value chain, as defined in the Program Regulation. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program - the RBEG program provides grants for rural projects that finance and facilitate development of small and emerging rural businesses help fund distance learning networks, and help fund employment related adult education programs. To assist with business development, RBEGs may fund a broad array of activities. Develop a plan to ensure that schools have proper equipment to prepare food onsite Schools participating in the USDA Child Nutrition Programs must have proper equipment to prepare, serve, and store food. The 2014 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant is made available by USDA through the FY 2014 Appropriations Act. Louisiana has been awarded $682, to provide funding that will allow SFAs to purchase equipment to serve healthier meals that meet the updated meal patterns. USDA s emphasis is on providing more fruits and vegetables in school meals, improving food safety, and expanding program access. SFAs participating in the NSLP were eligible to apply for sites that (1) had at least 50% or greater free and reduced eligible students based on the October 2013 CNP claim for reimbursement and (2) had not received equipment grant funding in school year 2009 or SFAs submitted requests during the month of October SFAs were notified of awards by the end of November Notification included the amount of each grant awarded by site and instructions on how to request reimbursement for purchased equipment. Statewide Farm to School Stakeholder input session The legislation also required that the agencies provide stakeholders and stakeholder groups with an opportunity. Specifically, the SCR 94 required the agencies to convene stakeholders to identify barriers and existing resources for a statewide farm to school program. As a result, the agencies conducted a Farm to School Stakeholder Input Session on September 18, 2014 in Alexandria, Louisiana. Page 14

16 Over sixty stakeholders attended and the agencies received positive comments about the session. One major theme that continued to be expressed at the input session was the need for Farm to School resources and more specifically a Louisiana Farm to School handbook. As a result, the LSU AgCenter is willing to take the lead on convening a group that would assist in the development of such a resource. The input session agenda and notes are included in the appendix of this report. The Louisiana Farm to School network also conducted a study in order to gather additional information to present to the study group as it developed its report for the Senate. Survey results included in the appendix of this report. Summary Pursuant to Senate Concurrent Resolution of the 2014 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, the Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (the agencies) prepared a report to make recommendations for the statewide implementation of a farm to school program. The state agencies convened a diverse group state agency leaders, local food interests and agricultural stakeholders throughout the state. The agencies utilized new and existing networks and resources to develop the recommendations contained in this report. The agencies feel that there are great opportunities for Farm to School in Louisiana. There are several challenges for SFAs in expanding Farm to School efforts throughout Louisiana. They include: The safety and sanitation of locally produced products that may not have gone through the federal and state oversight process for safety assurance, must be ensured Liability of school purchasing products that are not backed by vendor insurance or other certification of safety for human consumption Page 15

17 Limited availability or dependable sources of products from small farmers/producers which may place additional procurement burden and costs (procurement process costs and product volume purchasing costs) on local schools Potential higher market cost of local products combined with the limited budget of schools. Farmer/Producer education on safe farming and food handling procedures Procurement procedures Educating the community and schools on local products and availability The agencies are committed to continuing the dialogue with the Farm to School stakeholders and stakeholder groups to identify opportunities for statewide implementation of Farm to School Programs. It is our hope that this report has provided the legislature with an overview of recommendations for development and implementation. APPENDICES Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Baton Rouge Farm to School Network Meeting Agendas Louisiana Farm to School Alliance Meeting Agendas Louisiana Farm to School Stakeholder Meeting Louisiana Farm to School Network Survey Results Page 16

18 APPENDIX A BATON ROUGE FARM TO SCHOOL NETWORK Page 17

19 MEETING AGENDAS A-1 I. Introductions Baton Rouge Farm to School Stakeholder Meeting January 31, :00am 11:30am 3000 N. Sherwood Forest Drive II.Baton Rouge Farm to School Planning Grant Overview, Lyndsi Lambert III.Role of USDA Farm to School Southwest Regional Lead, Nicole Zammit IV.Discussion V.Action Items Page 18

20 A-2 I. Introductions II.Recap from Last Meeting III.Status Updates: Baton Rouge Farm to School Stakeholder Meeting February 28, :00am 12:00pm 3000 N. Sherwood Forest Drive A. Farm to School Planning Grant Dropbox B. Louisiana School Garden Guide C. Evaluation Committee Meetings D. Others 1. Greauxing Healthy Baton Rouge Fact Sheet 2. Greauxing Healthy Baton Rouge Exit Slip 3. IRB/Farm to School Logic Model 4. Timeline IV.Greauxing Healthy Baton Rouge Presentation, Bryan Alexander Page 19

21 V.Review Implementation Plan Template VI.Review Evaluation Plan VII.Break Out Discussion VIII.Action Items: A. Break into committees: Evaluation, Programming, Local Procurement B. Guest speaker requests/suggestions C. Schedule meeting w/ Capitol City Produce D. USDA Farm to School Grant Applications E. Baton Rouge Farm to School Logo A-3 I. Recap from Last Meeting II.Status Updates A. Tasting Events Baton Rouge Farm to School Stakeholder Meeting March 28, :00am 12:00pm 3000 N. Sherwood Forest Drive B. Labeling local foods on the lunch line C. USDA Farm to School Conference Grant D. Louisiana School Garden Guide III.Review & Discuss Proposed Survey Tools (Annrose Guarino) IV.Review & Discuss Proposed USDA Farm to School Support Services Grant Activities V.Explore EBR s Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP) (Nadine Mann & Emily Hartman) VI.Break-Out Discussion VII.Action Items Page 20

22 A-4 I. Introductions II.Recap from Last Meeting III.Status Updates: Baton Rouge Farm to School Stakeholder Meeting April 25, :00am 12:00pm 3000 N. Sherwood Forest Drive A. Louisiana School Garden Food Safety Guide B. Baton Rouge Farm to School Flowchart C. Greauxing Healthy Baton Rouge D. Revised Survey Tools E. Timeline of Activities IV.Takeaways from National Farm to Cafeteria Conference (Emily Hartman, Carl Motsenbocker, Bryan Alexander, Lyndsi Lambert) V.Discussion VI.Action Items Page 21

23 A-5 I. Introductions II.Updates III.Presentations East Baton Rouge Farm to School Stakeholder Meeting Thursday, June 26, :00am 12:00pm 3000 N. Sherwood Forest Drive A. Jade Blank, Farm to School Program Assistant, Greauxing Healthy Baton Rouge Data Results B. Mary Kathryn Poole, Public Health Consultant, Tulane Prevention Research Center, SCR 94 LA Farm to School Resolution C. Carrie Castille, Associate Commissioner, LDAF, Role of LDAF in Farm to School D. Todd Cooper, MarketMaker, Creative Strategies for Local Procurement IV.Implementation Plan Small Group Breakout Discussion V.Announcements VI.Next Meeting: Thursday, July 24, am-12pm Page 22

24 A-6 I. Introductions II.Updates East Baton Rouge Farm to School Stakeholder Meeting Friday, August 29, :00am 12:00pm 3000 N. Sherwood Forest Drive A. Louisiana Farm to School Resolution SCR94 (Carrie Castille, LDAF) B. Farm to School Posters & Lunch Line Label, C. Louisiana School Garden Food Safety Guide (Kiki Fontenot, LSU Ag) D. Greauxing Healthy Baton Rouge E. Timeline III.Draft Implementation Plan IV.Small Group Breakout Discussion V.Stakeholder Survey: Implementation Plan Recommendations VI.Next Meeting: Friday, September 26, am-12pm Page 23

25 A-7 I. Introductions II.Updates East Baton Rouge Farm to School Stakeholder Meeting Friday, October 17, :00am 12:00pm 3000 N. Sherwood Forest Drive A. National Farm to School Month B. School Garden Grants C. Louisiana Farm to School Resolution: SCR94 Statewide Stakeholder Input Meeting (September 18, 2014) D. Stakeholder Survey Results on Implementation Recommendations E. Farm to School Posters, Lunch Line Label, Signage, School Garden Resources (Pat Friedrich, EBR Schools) F. Greauxing Healthy Baton Rouge (Christina Mozzicato, Slow Food BR) III.Presentations A. Harvest of the Month Pilot Program (Ann Savage, LSU Ag) B. Louisiana Farm to School Conference (Annrose Guarino, LSU Ag) IV.Action Items A. LSU Ag Center School Garden Resources: Direct those interested to the LSU Ag Center School Garden webpage for the following resources: 1. Steps to Growing a Successful School Garden 2. Food Safety in LA School Gardens Page 24

26 3. Field Trips to Model School Garden at Burden 4. School Garden Grants B. Media Outreach: Share BR F2S press on your website or newsletter; send me names and contact info of media who may be interested in Farm to School C. Update Baton Rouge Farm to School Inventory V.Announcements A. Louisiana Farm to School Alliance monthly call APPENDIX B LOUISIANA FARM TO SCHOOL ALLIANCE MEETING AGENDAS Page 25

27 B LA Farm to School State Conference Call LA F2S Alliance 1:00 pm CST Conference Call Guest Speakers Jason Crockett with Robertson Produce in Monroe LA (Robertson is the DOD vendor for LA) Ken Wilmouth. SE Region Supervisor for DOD Agenda Overview I. Recap of last call, roll call and introduction of speaker II.Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program A. Program Overview B. Louisiana School Participation in DOD C. Question and Answer III.Events and Announcements A. Train the Trainer B. Healthy School Food Collaborative, KIPP NOLA: C. ESY New Orleans, Firstline Schools: Edible Evening D. Food Fight, through the Whole Kids Foundation E. Annual National Farm To School Network Conference F. Leadership Summit with Department of Agriculture G. Growers Association Meeting Page 26

28 B LA Farm to School State Conference Call LA F2S Alliance 1:00 pm CST Conference Call Guest Speakers Mary Kathryn Poole, MPH/Public Health Consultant Naomi King Englar, Tulane PRC, Communications and Training Coordinator Moderator Katie Mularz / Louisiana State Lead, NFSN Agenda Overview I. Recap of January Call additional questions and answers II. Tulane PRC Strategies for public health improvement III. Announcements A. Farm to School Grants B. Conference and training grants C. Farm 2 Cafeteria Conference D. Farm to School Louisiana Partnerships E. Events Page 27

29 B LA Farm to School State Conference Call LA F2S Alliance 1:00 pm CST Conference Call Moderator Katie Mularz / Louisiana State Lead, NFSN Introductions Farm to School Representatives on Call Pam Kingfisher, Southern Regional Lead, NFSN Nicole Zammit, USDA Southwest Region Representative Agenda Overview I. Recap of February Call Senator David Heitmeier filed five bills that are dedicated to improving public health in Louisiana. One will be related to Farm to School and the other to WIC CVV at farmer s markets. II. Procurement Training Katie Mularz and James Graham attended the USDA Train the Trainer, Purchasing Local Foods for Child Nutrition Programs and received certification to provide trainings throughout Louisiana on basic procurement methods, contractual compliance and how to target local products using specifications in RFP s, IFB s and informal bids. Katie and James will be working with Nicole Zammit the USDA Southwest Region F2S Lead to tailor the content to identifiable interests and challenges for school food service directors, child nutrition directors, food service management companies, and other persons purchasing food for school meals. III. Farm to School Event and Conference Grant Submission IV. Events/Trainings/Workshops V. Grant Application Announcements Page 28

30 B LA Farm to School State Conference Call LA F2S Alliance 1:00 pm CST Conference Call Moderator Katie Mularz / Louisiana State Lead, NFSN Introductions Farm to School Representatives on Call Nicole Zammit, USDA Southwest Region Representative Carrie Castille, PhD; Associate Commissioner LDAF Agenda Overview I. Recap of March Call II.SCR94 Encourages Louisiana to establish a statewide farm to school program and forms a study group on farm to school assets and barriers in Louisiana. Reported favorably in the State Senate Agriculture Committee, SCR94 moved to the Senate floor for vote. III.Representative Woodruff, District 87 Representative Woodruff, District 87, has expressed interest in authoring a statewide Farm to School bill. We will be working with her, sharing information and resources regarding Farm to School policies and programs. IV.LAF2S Policy Working Group V.May State Call/Meeting VI.NFSN Farm to School Conference VII.Upcoming Events VIII.Supplemental Material/Agenda Additions IX.SCR64 Final Report X.Tulane PRC Farm to School One Sheet Page 29

31 B LA Farm to School State Conference Call LA F2S Alliance 1:00 pm CST Conference Call Moderator Katie Mularz / Louisiana State Lead, NFSN Introductions Farm to School Representatives on Call Dexter Sapp, NRCS Strike Force Coordinator Sam Turner, DLA Troop Support (DoD Fresh) Carrie Castille, PhD; Associate Commissioner LDAF Agenda Overview I. Recap of April Call II.State and Local Policy Updates III.Strike Force in Louisiana IV.Louisiana Farm to School Policy Work Group V.Louisiana Regional Farm to School Updates VI.Alexandria - John Dean; CLEDA VII.Baton Rouge- Bryan Alexander; Slow Food Baton Rouge VIII.Lafayette- Lionel Lyles; Seed to Table IX.New Orleans- Margie Greene; NOCCA/Tyler Russel; Delta Service Corp Open X.Louisiana Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Meeting Overview XI.Agenda RFI XII.Funding Opportunities XIII.Events and Trainings XIV.Open Page 30

32 B LA Farm to School State Conference Call LA F2S Alliance 1:00 pm CST Conference Call Moderator Katie Mularz / Louisiana State Lead, NFSN Introductions Farm to School Representatives on Call Nicole Zammit, USDA F2S Lead Southwest Regional Office (FNS) Dexter Sapp, NRCS Strike Force Coordinator Rep. Ebony Woodruff, Louisiana House of Representative. District 87 National Farm to School Network Core Partners on Call Pam Kingfisher, Southern Regional Lead, NFSN Agenda Overview I. Recap of May Call II.Louisiana Farm to School Agenda Item Request A. Louisiana Farm to School policy updates B. Louisiana Farm to school policy work group updates C. Federal and state programs to initiate Farm to School progress D. USDA census results E. Resource and knowledge sharing F. Procurement issues for public schools in Louisiana G. Overview of regional F2S progress in LA (specifically Central LA) H. DOD & Developing procurement specs for local food purchases I. Funding ops for school food & education programs J. Evaluation results around the impact of F2S programming K. Farm Bill 101 (something comparable for newbies) L. Farm to School Success Stories III.USDA Census Results IV.State and Federal Programs to Initiate Farm to School Progress V.National Farm to School Month and Food Day Campaign Page 31

33 VI.Funding Opportunities B-7 VII.Upcoming Events LA Farm to School State Conference Call LA F2S Alliance 1:00 pm CST Conference Call Moderator Katie Mularz / Louisiana State Lead, NFSN Introductions Farm to School Representatives on Call Nicole Zammit, USDA F2S Lead Southwest Regional Office (FNS) Sam Turner, DLA Troop Support (DoD Fresh) Agenda Overview I. Recap of June Call A. LAF2S Agenda item requests (Asterisked items were agenda items discussed) 1. Louisiana Farm to School policy updates/working group update 2. State and Federal Programs to initiate Farm to School progress 3. USDA Census results 4. Funding opportunities for school food & education programs 5. Resource & knowledge sharing 6. Public school procurement issues 7. Overview of specific regional Farm to School progress 8. DOD and developing procurement specs for local food purchases 9. Evaluation results around the impact of Farm to School programming 10. Farm Bill Farm to School Success Stories B. National Farm to School Month & Food Day campaign C. Upcoming Events: 1. Farm to Table International Symposium, August LA F2S Alliance meeting / roundtable, August 2, 10:30am II.Louisiana Farm to School policy updates A. SCR94 Page 32

34 1. Farm to School Study Resolution did pass 2. First meeting of study group takes place mid-august (5 employees from LDAF and 5 employees from LDOE) 3. During first meeting they ll thoroughly look at deliverables set forth in the resolution to determine what info they have, what info they don t have, where the gaps are and who they can reach out to within the community to fill those gaps. 4. Intend to reach out to stakeholders after they have their first meeting. 5. The first meeting is not a public meeting B. SB Ag education bill (continuation of the suggestions set forth in SCR64) 2. Pilot immersion program included 3. First meeting Sept commission members within group have not designated committee members yet 5. The first meeting is a public meeting III.USDA Census Results IV.Federal and state programs to initiate Farm to School progress V.National Farm to School Month & Food Day Campaign VI.Funding Opportunities VII.Upcoming Events Page 33

35 B-8 Louisiana Farm to School August 27th Agenda Call In: Access: Time: 1pm -2pm CST Moderator: Katie Mularz, NFSN LA lead Agenda Items I. Recap from July Call II.Louisiana Farm to School policy updates III.Regional Farm to School Highlights IV.Information Sharing/Recent Webinars A. Release of NFSN Evaluation Framework B. USDA RFA Unprocessed fruit and vegetable pilot C. USDA support for schools D. Local procurement resources V.National Farm to School Month Louisiana Campaign VI.Food Day campaign VII.Upcoming Events/Information Sharing/Knowledge Sharing Opportunities A. East Baton Rouge Farm to School Stakeholder Meeting: August 29, 2014 B. 8th Annual Southern Obesity Summit: October 5-7, 2014 VIII.Farm to School in Child Nutrition Reauthorization 2015: September 9, 2014 IX.Funding Opportunities X.OPEN A. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize B-9 Page 34

36 LA Farm to School State Conference Call LA F2S Alliance 1:00 pm CST Conference Call Moderator Katie Mularz / Louisiana State Lead, NFSN Introductions Farm to School Representatives on Call Nicole Zammit, USDA F2S Lead Southwest Regional Office (FNS) Carrie Castille, PhD, Associate Commissioner LDAF NFSN Core Partners on Call Pam Kingfisher, Southern Regional Lead, NFSN Agenda Overview I. Louisiana Farm to School Stakeholder Input Session A. Goal 1. Provide a forum to gather input for Farm to School in Louisiana 2. Provide information from key individuals from the school systems, local and grass roots efforts, universities, agricultural producers and suppliers, state leaders and federal government. B. Objectives 1. Gather input from stakeholders on five topics outlined in SCR Conduct a thorough inventory of small and large farmers and crops across the state. 3. Develop specific farm to school standards and guidelines for farmers and schools. 4. Develop a plan to provide discounts to small farmers for insurance requirements that will enable them to participate in a farm to school program. 5. Develop a plan to increase the number of processing sites that prepare and package food products. 6. Develop a plan to ensure that schools have proper equipment to prepare food onsite. C. Topics Discussed 1. Food literacy is critical to any Farm to School program. School gardens serve as an important tool for furthering Farm to School programs. 2. Face to face meetings between farmers/growers and Child Nutrition Program (CNP) directors are critical to bridging gaps, establishing relationships and developing plans to incorporate local product into schools. Page 35

37 3. Guidelines and standards for Farm to School for CNP directors, farmers/growers, food processors, distributors and school garden coordinators are needed. 4. Educating overlapping groups on the implications each has on the other as it pertains to Farm to School and collaborating on best practices is needed. 5. Small farmer insurance program 6. State Farm to School Handbook 7. Equipment grants to update school kitchens for on-site food preparation and scratch cooking. 8. GAP certification 9. Statewide survey to ensure that individuals unable to attend the input session have an opportunity to provide input. II.Louisiana Harvest of the Month Pilot Program III.State Farm to School Conference and Event Grant IV.National Farm to School Month V.Food Day VI.Upcoming Events: A. LAFVGA Meeting B. SSAWG Annual Conference: January 16 18, 2015 VII.Information Sharing VIII.Funding Opportunities IX.Media Mentions/Success Stories B LA Farm to School State Conference Call LA F2S Alliance 1:00 pm CST Conference Call Page 36

38 Moderator Katie Mularz / Louisiana State Lead, NFSN Introductions NFSN Core Partners on Call Pam Kingfisher, Southern Regional Lead, NFSN Agenda Overview I. Recap from September Call II.Louisiana Farm to School Stakeholder Input Session follow up III.Louisiana Harvest of the Month Pilot Program IV.State Farm to School Conference and Event Grant V.National Farm to School Month VI.Food Day VII.Upcoming Events A. LAFVGA Meeting B. SSAWG annual conference B LA Farm to School State Conference Call LA F2S Alliance 1:00 pm CST Conference Call Page 37

39 Moderator Katie Mularz / Louisiana State Lead, NFSN Introductions Agenda Overview I. Recap from October Call II.Louisiana Farm to School Stakeholder Input survey A. Distribution channels III.SCR94 Comments/Policy Bullet Points IV.Louisiana Harvest of the Month Pilot Program Update V.Farm to School State Conference Update VI.Regional Updates: A. Alexandria: Farm to School Network B. Shreveport: We Grow Together C. EBR Farm to School D. Greater New Orleans Farm to School VII.News & Events VIII.Open Page 38

40 APPENDIX C LOUISIANA FARM TO SCHOOL STAKEHOLDER MEETING SEPTEMBER 18, 2014 C-1 Louisiana Farm to School Stakeholder Input Gathering Session September 18, 2014 Alexandria, Louisiana Agenda Page 39

41 I. Registration II.Welcome from Bill Ludwig III.Overview of SCR 94 Dr. Carrie Castille IV.Overview of New and Existing Farm to School Efforts A. School Gardens Dr. Kathryn Fontenot B. Louisiana Department of Education Responsibilities John Dupre C. Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Responsibilities Mack Williams V.Small and Large Farm Commodity Overview in Louisiana Dr. Kathryn Fontenot VI.Break VII.Small Farmer Insurance Options Emily Posner VIII.Farm to School Panel IX.USDA Farm to School Standards and Guidelines Dr. Judy Stracener X.Stakeholder Input XI.Adjourn C-2 Louisiana Farm to School Stakeholder Input Gathering Session September 18, 2014 Alexandria, Louisiana Participant List Participant Name Organization Page 40

42 CLEDA John Dean, Regional Food Systems Planner; Central La Economic Development Alliance Local Foods Policy Council CNP Dr. Nadine Mann, Administrative Director EBRP Child Nutrition Program Emily Hartmann, Purchasing Coordinator Jo Lynne Correro, Director Erma Davis, Director Jennifer Coburn, Supervisor Jennifer Bowie Laurence Charrier, CNP Manager Melise Newton Amy Sonnier Paula Jones, Student Wellness Coordinator EBRP Child Nutrition Program Ouachita Parish Child Nutrition Program Rapides Parish Child Nutrition Program Rapides Parish Child Nutrition Program N. Bayou Rapides Elem, Rapides Parish CNP St. Anthony of Padua School, Alexandria Diocese St. Anthony of Padua School, Alexandria Diocese St. Anthony of Padua School, Alexandria Diocese Vermilion Parish School District/ Activate 4 Kids LDAF Dr. Carrie Castille, Associate Commissioner Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Mack B. Williams, Administrator Food Distribution Program David Ratner, Assistant Administrator Food Distribution Program Janice LeBlanc, Manager Food Distribution Program LDOE John Dupre, Director Division of Nutrition Assistance Dr. Judy Stracener, Education Program Consultant Melissa Campbell, Education Program Consultant Trandra Scott, Education Program Consultant LSU Dr. Regina Bracy, Director, Southeast Region LSU AgCenter Todd Cooper, Extension Associate Dr. Kathryn Fontenot, Asst. Professor Dr. Annrose Guarino, State Specialist Dr. Carl Motsenbocker, Professor of Horticulture & Sustainable Agriculture Dr. Pamela Hodson Division of Nutrition Assistance Division of Nutrition Assistance Division of Nutrition Assistance LSU AgCenter LSU AgCenter LSU AgCenter LSU AgCenter LSU AgCenter Tulane Naomi Englar, Communications & Training Coord. Tulane Prevention Research Center Adrienne Mundorf, Program Manager Mary Kathryn Poole, Consultant Tulane Prevention Research Center Tulane Prevention Research Center USDA Bill Ludwig, Regional Administrator USDA Southwest Regional Office Additional Organizations Mike Sullivan, LA StrikeForce Coordinator Nicole Zammit, RD Farm to School Lead Dan Robertson, President Guy Gremillion, National Sales Marlene Joy, Executive Director Katie Mularz, Louisiana State Lead Emily Posner, Policy & Legislative Coordinator Lyndsi Lambert, EBR F2S Grant Coordinator Elizabeth Cole, Marketing & Sales Trayce Snow, Program Officer Bretta Lutz, Healthy Lifestyle RD; Farm to School Chairperson James Graham, Director USDA Farm Service Agency USDA Southwest Regional Office Robertson Produce, Inc. (DoD Vendor) Capitol City Produce School Nutrition Association of Louisiana National Farm to School Network Recirculating Farms Coalition Mayor s Healthy City Initiative Inglewood Farms The Rapides Foundation The Rapides Foundation Local Foods Policy Council The Healthy School Food Collaborative Page 41