[BCFSN] Breaking News from the US: $5M for Farm to School in Funding Bill

[JK Bays]

Hello all

It is always exciting to see  *good* news coming from our southern
neighbours (Please scroll down)!

On the FARM TO SCHOOL CANADA front you'll be pleased to know...

1) Our National *Farm to School Canada: Digs In Initiative i*s nearing the
$5M mark in investments cash and in kind, and Health Canada is the largest
Contributor, followed by the Whole Kids Foundation

2) We have created several key resources in both official languages -
including a brand new Farm to School Guide for New Brunswick

3) We will host a national *Farm to School CANADA* conference in 2019,
inviting guests across the nation our borders to illuminate and celebrate
the F2S movement in Canada, to inspire additional activity and to come
together on a framework for that action!

4) A large contingent of Canadians will be arriving at the US conference to
showcase and share activities and to invite our southern neighbours to our
conference

5) We are poised to conduct an evaluation of Farm to School programs in 5
provinces

6) An exciting series webinars is planned for the fall to inform and
inspire Farm to School CANADA

7) While a Farm to School Census in Canada may be out of reach, we are
working hard to get our collective work on the radar of policy makers. Food
is having its moment in Canada and we want our policy makers to know that
there is no better investment than putting $$ into programs that put more
healthy local sustainable foods on the plates of everyone working, living,
learning, or being healed in our publicly funded institutions.

To keep abreast of Farm to School developments in Canada subscribe to our
national newsletter, published biannually

All the best

Joanne Bays
National Director Farm to Cafeteria Canada
*Proud to lead the national Farm to School movement*

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: National Farm to School Network <info at farmtoschool.org>
Date: Fri, Mar 23, 2018 at 11:31 AM
Subject: Breaking News: $5M for Farm to School in Funding Bill
To: Joanne.k.bays at gmail.com


*March 2018: New funding for farm to school; Spanish language resources;
National Farm to ECE Survey*
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmtoschool.org%2F>

*MARCH 2018*
$5 Million for Farm to School in Funding Bill

This week, Senate and House leaders have been working on an appropriations
bill to fund the federal government through Sept. 30, and through this
process, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Sen. Cochran (R-MS) have championed
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.leahy.senate.gov%2Fpress%2Fleahy-notches-key-victories-for-vermont-in-appropriations-bill>
a huge win for farm to school! The final bill, just signed by the
President, includes *$5 million in discretionary funding for the **USDA
Farm to School Grant Program*
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fns.usda.gov%2Ffarmtoschool%2Ffarm-school-grant-program>,
which *doubles* the current available funding for this highly impactful and
important program for one year. This is great news and a big victory for
the farm to school movement!

Please join us in thanking Sen. Leahy (@SenatorLeahy
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FSenatorLeahy>)
and Sen. Cochran (@SenThadCochran
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FSenThadCochran>)
for this win, their continued efforts in championing farm to school, and
for helping make healthy, local food in schools a reality for millions of
children across the country. Visit our *This Week in Farm to School*
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmtoschool.org%2Fthisweek>
blog next Tuesday for additional information about the bill's wins for farm
to school.



NEW Farm to School Resources Available in Spanish


Farm to school activities are taking root across the country, and can
benefit every student and every community. In an effort to make farm to
school information and resources accessible to more students, parents,
educators, farmers and other important farm to school advocates, we’ve had
three of our most popular fact sheets translated into Spanish:

   - The Benefits of Farm to School
   <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmtoschool.org%2Fresources-main%2Fthe-benefits-of-farm-to-school>
*/
   *Los Beneficios de la Finca a la Escuela
   <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmtoschool.org%2Fresources-main%2Flos-beneficios-de-de-la-finca-a-la-escuela>
   - Getting Started With Farm to School
   <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmtoschool.org%2Fresources-main%2Fgetting-started-with-farm-to-school>
   */* Comenzar Con de la Finca a la Escuela
   <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmtoschool.org%2Fresources-main%2Fcomenzar-con-de-la-finca-a-la-escuela>

   - Starting A School Garden
   <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmtoschool.org%2Fresources-main%2Fstarting-and-maintaining-a-school-garden-1>
   */* Comenzar Y Mantener Un Huerto Escolar
   <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmtoschool.org%2Fresources-main%2Fcomenzar-y-mantener-un-huerto-escolar>


These new resources add to a growing list of farm to school and early care
and education resources available in languages other than English. Explore
more than 25 non-English and bilingual farm to school resources and
materials in our online Resource Library.
Explore More Resources
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmtoschool.org%2Fresources>

*Will We See You In Cincinnati? *

The *9th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference*
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmtocafeteriaconference.org>
is one month away, and time is running out to secure your spot! As a friend
of farm to school, this conference won’t be complete without you. We hope
you’ll join us and over 1,000 movement leaders from across the U.S., Canada
and beyond for this exciting learning, networking and movement building
opportunity. Registration closes April 9 – so don’t delay! Register now
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmtocafeteriaconference.org>
.
Register Now
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmtocafeteriaconference.org>

*Already register?* Don’t forget to book a place to stay! Hotel room blocks
with discounted rates close April 3. Learn more and make your reservation
here
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cvent.com%2Fevents%2F9th-national-farm-to-cafeteria-conference%2Fcustom-37-bf9e53c08fed44b2aebb85237e45eb98.aspx>
.


3rd National Farm to ECE Survey Underway

The National Farm to School Network, in partnership with Michigan State
University Center for Regional Food Systems, has recently released the *3rd
National Farm to Early Care and Education Survey*. The survey, which for
the first time includes Spanish language versions of the questions, has
been sent directly to early care and education (ECE) providers across the
country to complete. The data collected from this survey will help us
better understand current farm to ECE initiatives across types of ECE
sites, challenges to starting or expanding farm to ECE activities, and
needed resources and support for growing the farm to ECE movement.
Preliminary survey results are expected to be released this summer.


Explore the results of the 2015 survey here
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmtoschool.org%2Fresources-main%2Fsurvey-results-farm-to-school-in-early-childhood>
and contact Lacy Stephens, Program Manager, at lacy at farmtoschool.org with
questions.

*Credit: Erin McKee VanSlooten, IATP*


*Upcoming Webinars*

*Trending Topics Webinar: Family Engagement Through Farm to Early Care and
Education*

*April 5 // 2pm ET*

Join the National Farm to School Network, the Farm to Family Project, and
Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness to hear about innovative programs that
leverage farm to ECE as a key to family engagement and, in doing so,
increase healthy food access, healthy behaviors, and healthy relationships
for children, families and communities. Register here
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=https%3A%2F%2Fregister.gotowebinar.com%2Fregister%2F4768629596622129155>
.

*Trending Topics Webinar: State Farm to School Networks *

*Thursday, May 10 // 2-3 PM ET*

State farm to school networks are vital to the growth and
institutionalization of farm to school through their state level leadership
and coordination and contributions to a nationwide movement. On this
webinar, learn about a new resource from the National Farm to School
Network that highlights network best practices, and hear from NFSN Core
Partners who are leading the way in state network development. Register here
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=https%3A%2F%2Fregister.gotowebinar.com%2Fregister%2F656077878219760643>
.

*ICYMI*: We record and archive all of our webinars in online Resource
Library.
Watch Past Webinars
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmtoschool.org%2Fresources>

*2019 USDA Farm to School Census*

It’s time to start preparing for the next USDA Farm to School Census
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=https%3A%2F%2Ffarmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov%2F>!
The Census will be distributed in the winter of 2019, but school districts
and partners should begin tracking activities that are happening right now.
Need help tracking local food purchases and farm to school
activities? Check out these evaluation resources
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fns.usda.gov%2Ffarmtoschool%2Ffarm-school-resources%23Evaluating%2520Your%2520Efforts>
and connect with your USDA Regional Farm to School Lead
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fns.usda.gov%2Ffarmtoschool%2Fusda-farm-school-staff>
.

*Welcome, Sarah Goldman!*


The National Farm to School Network is pleased to welcome Sarah Goldman to
our team as an Emerson National Hunger Fellow. Over the next five months,
she’ll be working on developing state farm to school advocacy strategies
and resources with our Policy Team. Learn more about Sarah and the Emerson
National Hunger Fellow Program here
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=18952760&msgid=301360&act=W5SI&c=1442707&destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hungercenter.org%2Ffellowships%2Femerson%2F24th-class-of-emerson-national-hunger-fellows%2F>
.
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This message was sent to *Joanne.k.bays at gmail.com <Joanne.k.bays at gmail.com>*
from *info at farmtoschool.org <info at farmtoschool.org>*

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-- 

Joanne Bays
National Director Farm to Cafeteria Canada
4445 Norfolk Street
Burnaby BC V5G 0A7
Email: farm2cafeteriacanada at gmail.com

Follow us!
Website: www.farmtocafeteriacanada.ca
Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/FarmtocafeteriaCanada/
Twitter: @farm2cafeteria
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