Introduction to School Markets and the Farm to School Supply Chain
This session is for producers with little to no experience selling to schools, or for those interested in a refresher on school markets. In this session, participants will learn the basics of child nutrition programs, the types of local foods that can be a good fit for schools, how school districts source and purchase local foods for their meal programs, and how to connect with your local school district. Participants will also receive resources and tools, including Bringing the Farm to School Producer Workbook, that will help them move further ahead with selling to schools.
About the Speakers
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Carter Grant
Seattle Public SchoolsCarter Grant (she/her) brings over a decade of experience connecting communities to local food systems, working on farms, in food banks, and at farmers markets in the Seattle area. She currently serves as the Farm to School Specialist for Seattle Public Schools. In this role she leads initiatives to integrate more fresh, local produce into Seattle’s school meals and beyond. This work focuses on sustainability and capacity building of a growing effort in Seattle, building on and with the work of many amazing people.
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Annette Slonim
Washington State Dept. of AgricultureAnnette has over 10 years of local food system and farm to school experience, ranging from hands-on school garden and kitchen classroom education to outreach and sales for a local food hub. She joined Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Farm to School Program in 2021 where she helps local producers navigate the rules and regulations to sell to school markets and helps schools learn how and where to source more local foods. She earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies from McGill University and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Washington – Evans School of Public Policy and Governance.