Farm to School

Farm-to-school (F2S) enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food & local food producers by changing food purchasing & education practices at schools. F2S empowers children & their families to make informed food choices while strengthening the local economy & contributing to vibrant communities.

Vernon Public School Values:
Through F2S initiatives, we empower students to develop healthy eating habits by purchasing fresh food from local farms to serve in the cafeteria and by strengthening nutrition education in the classroom.  By partnering with local farms, we increase students’ food literacy and connection to the land, their environment and community.

Meet the Farm to School Coordinator: Kaylee Carlisle

Kaylee earned her bachelor’s degree in Resource Economics from the University of Connecticut and has hands-on experience in small-scale agriculture.

In the district, Kaylee is focused on increasing access to fresh, locally grown produce in school cafeterias and encouraging students to build lifelong healthy eating habits. She works in both cafeterias and classrooms to engage students in farm-to-school education and connect them with where their food comes from.

Vernon's Farm to School Goals

Goal 1: Empower students and staff to cultivate healthy eating habits by integrating locally-sourced foods and recipes into both classroom education and the school meal program.

Goal 2: Develop and foster a F2S Team with the intent to create & execute a yearly action plan for schools that strengthen Vernon’s capacity to impact classrooms, cafeterias, & communities with change that lasts.

Goal 3: Engage schools and the community through consistent communication and outreach efforts with the intent to increase student participation and parent awareness.

A person stands behind a cart filled with food, displaying a sign that reads 'Made with Local Produce' in a cafeteria setting with empty tables in the background.