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● A review of nine farm to school programs found student meal participation rates increased between 3% and 16% after implementing farm to school programs. (1)

● A study of one particular school cafeteria found that after starting a farm to school program, school lunch participation rose by: (2)

● 4.0% for students receiving free lunches

● 5.3% for students receiving reduced price lunches

● 8.5% for paid students. 

●  26.9% for adults 

● 9.0% overall 

● Due to increased meals participation and the competitive pricing of local products, schools have been able to cover their additional costs for labor and equipment .(1)

● By applying the geographic preference rule, child nutrition directors can allow up to 10% preference for local products over other products.(3)

● Buying local helps foodservice comply with the Buy American Act. (4)

High quality produce

 

● Produce that is shipped long distances is subject to poor quality due to mechanical injury, which leads to decreases in nutrient quality. (5,6)

● According to the World Health Organization Report 2003, there is evidence that consumption of calorie-dense foods like processed foods leads to obesity and consumption of fruits and vegetables decreases the odds of developing obesity.(7)

● In Arkansas, 38% of children in grades K-12 are overweight or obese.(8)

● One of the benefits of Farm to School is that students consume more fruits and vegetables as a result of the program. (1)  Students learn about and experience food production and nutrition. These two aspects improve healthy eating habits, leading to life-long healthy eaters.

● Student fruit consumption increased by more than 1/2 serving per day when participating in a farm to school program in Springfield School District, Oregon.(1)

● Students increased their fruit and vegetable consumption from 2.8 servings to 4.2 servings per day after a farm to school salad bar was implemented in three Los Angeles schools.(2)

● At Riverside Unified School District, CA one of the results of a Farm to School salad bar was that students consumed twice the fruit and over 1.5 times more vegetable servings than students eating from the traditional hot bar.(1)

● Over time this increased consumption of fruits and vegetables could lead to healthy eating habits and therefore decrease obesity rates among students.(1)

● After a farm to school program, 90% of students could choose a healthier food option at the supermarket as compared to 62% before.(1)

● Correct responses to questions about where food comes from more than doubled from 33% to 88% after students went on farm tours.(1)

● Farmers participating in farm to school programs have gained opportunities for direct marketing through farm field trips, speaking opportunities at schools, and community events related to farm to school.(2)

Potential for localizing food in Arkansas

 

● Of the $7 billion spent on food annually in Arkansas, $6.3 billion goes to purchase food grown in other states. 9)

● Arkansas has the capacity to produce 73.2% of food needed to feed the entire state population. (10)

Potential for Localizing Food at school

● If Arkansas public schools sourced 15% of the food purchased for school meals from Arkansas producers, $14 million in new income would be generated for Arkansas farmers. (11)

● If Arkansas consumers purchased just 15% of the fruits and vegetables they consume at home from Arkansas farmers, nearly $100 million in new income would be generated for Arkansas fruit and vegetable producers. (9)