June 2024
Hello Farm to Fork Friends!
As the summer sun begins, we are thrilled to announce that our next annual promotion, Squash Summer Hunger, will be starting in June to help families transition from school to summer meal opportunities. Let’s make this summer both nutritious and fun for everyone!
Squash Summer Hunger aims to raise awareness about summer meals programs and make the most of the abundance of squash during the summer months. Each year during the last week of June, we invite Utah kids and families to visit a summer meal site and join us in celebrating the versatility of summer squash. Squash Summer Hunger is not only a fantastic way to embrace delicious local produce but also an opportunity to educate kids about the origins of their food and show support for local farmers.
Sign up today so we can assist in promoting and acknowledging your summer events!
Let's give a big round of applause to the fantastic school culinary teams who joined us for our Bison Cooking Workshop in May!
Collaborating with the talented Tamara Stanger, Chef at Hells Backbone Grill in Boulder, UT, they delved into crafting kid-friendly recipes featuring bison from Ute Tribal Enterprises, infused with flavors inspired by indigenous cultures. It was a pleasure getting to know each of you, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for everything you do for Utah Students!
Where can you find us this month?
June 14: STEM Best Practices Conference (Layton)
June 19: School Nutrition Association of Utah Conference (Provo)
June 25-27: National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference (Salt Lake City)
Visit us at our exhibitor booths or attend our presentations. We’d love to connect with you!
What to Harvest This Month
As temperatures remain consistently warm, it's safe to move tomatoes, cucumbers, and other sun-loving plants outdoors. It's also the perfect time to harvest your cool-season veggies, with summer squash ready by the end of the month!
Celebrate Squash Summer Hunger with this delicious Zucchini Boat recipe from the Chef Ann Foundation!
Get Involved!
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024
House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn Thompson (R-PA) has introduced H.R.8467, the Farm Bill, set to last through 2029 if passed. Key proposed changes include:
Revising the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) publication schedule to "as necessary" based on scientific advancements, but at least every ten years.
Establishing an Independent Advisory Board with 8 nutrition or food science experts to guide scientific inquiries for the DGA.
Omitting non-dietary topics from the Guidelines.
Mandating an evidence-based review process and ratings for guideline contributions to the Healthy Eating Index.
Extending the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program through 2029.
Requiring 95% of school food purchases to meet Buy American standards.
Allowing schools to serve milk in any flavor and fat content.
This bill is in its early stages and will undergo several amendments before a final version is agreed upon by the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Stay up to date with the School Nutrition Association Action Network.
Resources and Trainings
Are you part of the culinary or nutrition teams for a school in Utah?
We still have space in our culinary workshop! Join Chef Cyndie and the Culinary Solutions team for a series of cooking workshops based on Harvest of the Season recipes, focused on bringing local ingredients to your cafeteria!
Each workshop participant will receive a chef’s hat, apron, personal kitchen supply kit, and $200 stipend.
There are two workshop opportunities:
Workshop 1: Sevier School District
Tuesday, June 4 | 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Workshop 2: Tooele School District
Friday, June 7 | 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
In late April, the Utah Farm to Fork team presented with the National Farm to School Network, showcasing Utah’s unique implementation of the USDA Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program.
Unlike most states, which allocated funds directly to schools, Utah conducted a statewide bidding process, securing competitive contracts with local meat producers and simplifying the ordering process for food service professionals.
Working Smarter, Not Harder: Regional School Garden Support ModelsWhen scaling up a program, it's important to think about how you allocate resources and efforts to maximize your impact. In this webinar, Learn about the Multi Tier Systems of Support (MTSS) framework used at the Office of the State Superintendent in Washington, DC and the Theory of Change framework used in the Wisconsin School Garden Network.
Each framework gives guidelines to differentiate support between partner sites so as to use your organization's capacity effectively. Watch the webinar here!
Partners Webinar on Expanded Geographic Preference in the Final Rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Thursday, June 20, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Register here!
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Patrick Leahy Farm to School Team (USDA Farm to School Team) will host a webinar for farm to school partners, including Child Nutrition Program operators, on the expanded geographic preference option in the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The final rule includes a small yet significant expansion of the geographic preference provision. Beginning July 1, 2024, the provision will permit CNP operators to use local as a specification when procuring unprocessed agricultural products. The USDA Farm to School Team will provide an overview to help farm to school partners share and learn about the expanded geographic preference option.
Food Justice
Summer Meals and Snacks for Kids
Looking for summer meals for kids? Every child aged 18 and under can enjoy free, on-site summer meals, with some rural communities offering to-go options. Use this handy site finder to locate meal programs in your area!
Job Opportunities
Child Nutrition Manager, West Elementary School - Tooele School District | Apply here
The Child Nutrition Manager supervises food services activities at assigned site, organize food preparation activities, assists cafeteria workers with food preparation and serving, supervises and manages cafeteria staff to ensure compliance of policies and regulations, confirms quantities and quality of food items which are to be served, provide written reports, comply with mandated health requirements, ensure kitchen and lunchroom compliance with all state and federal regulations.
Do you have a farm to fork job opportunity you'd like us to share? Let us know! Jobs must be located in Utah or fully remote.
Funding Opportunities
Newman’s Own - Food Justice for Kids Prize | Apply by June 11 | Learn more!
Is your organization working towards food justice for kids in the United States? If so, this is your chance to receive up to $100,000 in grant funding over the next 2 years and deepen your impact! Apply by June 11, 2024, at one of the links below.
They’re seeking applications from organizations working in two priority program areas:
(1) Indigenous Food Justice (Apply here) and
(2) Nutrition Education and School Food (Apply here)
They welcome applications from all eligible organizations, and in particular seek to be inclusive of organizations led by and/or representing historically marginalized and under-represented groups, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
Clif Family Foundation Operational Grants | Apply by August 1 | Apply here!
Grants are awarded annually for general operational support as well as for specific projects. Priority is given to applicants that address two or more of our funding priorities at the same time:
Strengthen our food system
Enhance equitable community health outcomes
Safeguard our environment and natural resources
Demonstrate strong community ties.
Operate within viable and clearly defined plans for positive change.
The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, Sprouting School Gardens Grant | Apply by June 30 | Apply here!
The Sprouting School Gardens Grant is designed to help schools create or expand their garden programs on school campuses with an emphasis on nutrition education. Grants range in size from $5,000 to $10,000 and may be used to support program operations, program supplies, learning tools, and educator stipends.
You'll hear from us again next month. In the meantime, we'd love to hear from you!
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