Hello Farm to Fork Friends!
November is here and we have so much to celebrate and be thankful for! We are excited to share with you our achievements celebrating National Farm to School Month in October, as well as our upcoming Harvest Gratitude Day.
Apple Crunch Day - At a Glance
In addition to the 150 Kindergarten students we welcomed at the Utah State Capitol to celebrate Apple Crunch Day, many other schools and organizations throughout the state participated by hosting farmers markets and visiting their local apple orchards!
In addition to our newsletter, stay tuned to the Farm to Fork Blog and social media as we continue to recognize how other organizations celebrated. It’s never too early to start gathering ideas for next year!
Harvest Gratitude Day
November 16, 2023
9:00 - 10:30 AM
This year, we are excited to offer an online learning experience for middle and high school students to learn about the importance of agriculture and where their food comes from with virtual farm tours. If you are unable to attend, the event will be recorded and shared with all registered attendees.
What to Harvest This Month
The ground may be starting to freeze in some Utah regions, but it’s not too late to harvest cool season vegetables, like root vegetables and leafy greens. Don’t forget to plant your garlic!
If you are fortunate to still have fresh, local apples in the fridge, try out this delicious Apple Slaw recipe!
Get Involved!
Peer Learning Groups - Applications now open!
Interested in contributing to the success and long-term goals of Utah Farm to Fork? We are currently accepting applications for our first round of monthly Peer Learning Groups from the following three categories:
Institutional Food Buyers
Indoor Growing
Local Health Departments
Applications are due November 30, 2023. Learn more here and apply today!
Stay up to date with The Farm to School Podcast!
Join hosts Michelle Markesteyn with Oregon State University, and Rick Sherman of Oregon Department of Education as they explore what it means to bring local food into the school cafeteria, and teach kids about where their food comes from. Listen to the podcast here!
Resources & Trainings
Making Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) Changes Sustainable: Farm to ECE and CDC's Spectrum of Opportunity - November 14: 2- PM EST Register here!
2023 Movement Meeting Recording - If you weren't able to join live for National Farm to School Network’s annual Movement Meeting, check out the recording to tune in!
Food Justice
Check out this study! Operationalizing Equity: How State Entities are Targeting Socially Disadvantaged Producers in USDA's LFS and LFPA Cooperative Agreement Programs This study explores how state governments are using Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) and Local Food for Schools (LFS) funding to develop or advance local food purchasing programs that target socially disadvantaged producers. Based on findings from a survey and interviews with state agencies, this study shares examples of how these programs are operationalizing equity in program design, measurement, outreach, and implementation.
Job Opportunities
Traditional Foods Program Director, Utah Diné Bikéyah
Deadline: open until filled Location: Bluff, UT
Utah Diné Bikéyah (UDB) is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to preserve and protect Native American cultural and natural resources on traditional lands in San Juan County, Utah. A primary objective of UDB & the Diné Bikéyah conservation project is the establishment of the Bears Ears National Monument & the creation of a management plan that integrates traditional knowledge. UDB also advocates for policies that will protect Hopi, Zuni, and other Native American interests on this landscape. Learn more and apply here.
Executive Director, National Farm to School Network
Deadline Extended: November 6, 2023. $100k-$120k, FT, Remote.
NFSN seeks an Executive Director who leads innovation and strategic growth toward accomplishing the mission of the organization. In partnership with the NFSN advisory board, partner organizations, and national staff, the Executive Director is responsible for implementation of the NFSN strategic plan through organizational communication, programming and operations, ensuring long term financial sustainability, and advancing the farm to school movement. Responsible for shaping the vision and future direction of the organization, the Executive Director will seek opportunities for expanding partnerships and funders in order to scale impact so that farm to school and ECE are sustainably implemented across communities. Learn more and apply here.
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
Chef Ann Foundation is seeking proposals for projects led by groups of local partners with systemic and equity-driven approaches to transforming school food supply chains. Projects should seek to build and strengthen relationships among community-based food system stakeholders and School Food Authorities (SFAs) as well as expand scratch cooking in schools in order to build more nourishing school meal programs.
Applications open November 27. Sign up to receive updates.
Green Our Planet is now accepting applications for their GardenConnect and HydroConnect programming, training teachers to use school gardens and hydroponics laboratories to teach students STEM, conservation, nutrition and entrepreneurship in a hands-on engaging way. This grant opportunity is open to public, private, and charter schools. Applications are due November 7, 2023.
Be sure to share your upcoming events, grant opportunities, and jobs with us so that we can share them here!
P.S. Did you know you can download cafeteria signs like these from our website? Visit www.utfarmtofork.org/marketing to check them out.