Monthly Harvest - September 2025

Natalie McHale
Sep 1
4 min read

Hello Farm to Fork friends!

This year is already off to an inspiring start with Monticello Academy receiving national recognition for innovation in school meals! We’re also gearing up for the Movement Building Workshops in Salt Lake City, starting September 5th with Beyond the Cafeteria: Creative Farm to School Pathways.

Read more about these exciting stories in this month’s newsletter!

Movement Building Workshops 2025

Farm to School Success in Utah: Stories that Inspire, Ideas to Grow

Join us September 5, 2025 in Salt Lake City for Beyond the Cafeteria: Creative Farm to School Pathways. This day of tours and workshops will highlight diverse models of farm-to-school, including nonprofit teaching gardens, refugee-led farms, and a farm-based charter high school.

Agenda:

1:00 – 3:00 PM: Wasatch Community Gardens – Hands-on youth programming, garden tour, and activities tied to Utah SEEd Standards.

3:30 – 4:30 PM: New Roots Redwood Farm – Explore refugee-led urban farms, community gardens, farmers markets, and youth programming.

5:00 – 7:00 PM: Roots Charter High School – Tour farm-based programs, beekeeping, and trauma-informed learning environments empowering students.

Whether you attend one stop or the full day, you’ll leave inspired with new ideas to grow farm-to-school in your community.

Network Spotlight

Monticello Academy Wins Innovation Award!

Monticello Academy was recently recognized with the Innovation in the Preparation of School Meals Award as part of the USDA Healthy Meals Incentives Spotlight celebrating school nutrition trailblazers.

One way the school shines is by preparing meals from scratch using locally raised beef. Student favorites include Sloppy Joes, Baked Beef Pasta, and Beef Taco Salad—all made with fresh, local ingredients.

To engage families and showcase their work, Monticello hosted a Winter Open House Sampling Event. Parents and students were invited to enjoy five sample-sized portions of menu items, alongside a full salad and fruit bar and a smoothie bar. The free event not only highlighted the variety and quality of school meals but also encouraged families to be part of shaping the cafeteria experience.

Learn more about the Healthy Meals Incentives Spotlight and other awardees here: Healthy Meals Incentives Stories

Resource Spotlight

Apple Crunch Toolkit

Apple Crunch is just around the corner! Now’s the perfect time to start planning your celebration. Check out our Apple Crunch Toolkit for fun ideas, activities, and resources to make your event memorable and engaging.

Download here!

Get Involved

Reducing Ultra-Processed Meals: The Next Chapter in School Food Webinar

September 17 | Register here

This webinar will focus on the overdependence of ultra-processed foods in school meals. We’ll examine the challenges they present and the opportunities to reduce their presence on trays.

Now Open: Utah Farm to Fork Teacher Workshop Registration!

September 26 & 27 | Register here!

Join Utah Agriculture in the Classroom and Farm to Fork for a dynamic two-day teacher workshop exploring local agriculture through hands-on farm and business tours. Open to educators of all grade levels and subjects, this workshop offers fresh ways to connect students to food, farming, and the natural world.

Teachers who attend will receive:

$250 stipend
USBE relicensure hours or CE credits through USU
A classroom resource kit ($150 value)
Hands-on instruction + new lesson plans
Networking with fellow Utah educators

10th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference

Registration Now Open! | Register here

The National Farm to Cafeteria Conference is happening December 2–4, 2025 in Albuquerque, New Mexico! This year's event will bring together farm to institution leaders from across the country for learning, networking, and collective action to strengthen local food systems.

Don’t miss this chance to connect and grow with the movement! Planning to attend? Let us know! We’d love to know who’s representing Utah!

Food Justice

Growing Justice Fund – Advancing Equity in the Food System

The Growing Justice Fund invests in Tribal, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant leaders to expand access to good food purchasing. By supporting equitable institutional buying—schools, hospitals, and other community-serving institutions—the fund helps small- and mid-size producers from historically excluded communities thrive while ensuring healthy, sustainable food reaches those who need it most.

Learn more here!

Job Opportunities

With the school year in full swing, explore rewarding opportunities in child nutrition and make a difference in schools across Utah!

Nutrition Service Worker - Weber School District

Ogden, UT | Rolling deadlines | Apply here - Type in “nutrition’ to view available jobs!

There are multiple openings throughout the district for various age groups, ranging from full- to part-time—truly something for everyone!

Extension Livestock Coordinator | Utah State University

Heber City, UT | Rolling deadline | Apply here

Join a vibrant agricultural community just an hour from Salt Lake City, where you’ll lead and support youth-focused livestock programs through 4-H and FFA. This role involves developing hands-on educational experiences in livestock care, nutrition, showmanship, and ethics, as well as coordinating county and state livestock shows, recruiting and training adult volunteers, and engaging youth in farm field days. You’ll help inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders while connecting them to Wasatch County’s rich farming heritage and scenic landscapes.

Funding Opportunities

Salads Bars for Schools

Rolling applications | Apply here

The SB2S program helps K–12 schools expand access to fresh fruits and vegetables by providing salad bar equipment, technical support, and training. Eligible schools receive Cambro salad bars, camchillers, and two free enrollments in The School Food Institute’s Salad Bars in Schools course to ensure long-term success. Open to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program with at least 100 students per site.

GroMoreGood Garden Grant – Stay Notified for 2026!

Applications open in October | Apply here

The GroMoreGood Garden Grant supports existing and new school or community garden projects, as well as outdoor green spaces for youth learning. Grant amounts vary based on need and proposal. The 2025 cycle has closed, but applications for 2026 open in October—sign up now to receive notifications and be ready to apply!

Did You Know?