Share Stories from Your Farm to School Programs!

• Cafeteria: This month we are featuring local [insert ingredient] in school meals. These [ingredient name] came from [Farm Name, Town] only [# of miles] from our school! #F2Smonth
• Classroom: Our students participated in [school garden story | hydroponic story | farm field trip | etc], bringing experiential learning and food systems education into the classroom! #F2Smonth

Share Your Farm to School Month Events!

Ready to Use Posts

• October is #F2Smonth in Massachusetts! At [name of school or district] we are celebrating by [add activity/action/etc]. Want to learn more about the farm to school movement? Visit mafoodformakids.org/get-involved
• This #F2Smonth we’re celebrating the connections between local farms, school cafeterias, and classrooms that help students grow healthy minds and bodies while supporting local agriculture.
• From taste tests to farm visits to school gardens, it’s all happening right here in the Bay State! #F2Smonth
• Our students are digging into local food – literally! Whether it’s planting seeds in school gardens, trying new veggies during taste tests, or learning where their food comes from, farm to school helps young people connect with healthy eating in a hands-on way. #F2Smonth

Celebrate Farm to School Champions!

Ready to Use Posts

• Thank you to [@Legislator_Handle] for co-sponsoring the Farm to School Program Bill. Take action at mafoodformakids.org/get-involved. #F2Smonth
• I’m grateful to [@Legislator_Handle] for supporting legislation to establish a state #farmtoschool program! Take action at mafoodformakids.org/get-involved. #F2Smonth
• Meet one of the local heroes behind your school lunch! [Insert farmer name/farm name] grows delicious [insert produce] right here in Massachusetts! #F2Smonth  
• We’re celebrating the vital role local farmers play in nourishing our kids and strengthening our communities during  #F2Smonth.
• Thank you to [School Nutrition Staff member] for helping to provide fresh, local, nourishing meals to our students every day. #F2Smonth

Share your farm to school activities, local produce, and fresh meals using these customizable templates and these customizable event graphics. Add your own text and images and tag @massfarmtoschool (FB) and @mafarmtoschool (Instagram) so we can boost your message.

Instagram Template (Canva)
Facebook Template (Canva)

Facebook Graphic (PNG)
Instagram Graphic (PNG)

Farm to School Month Logo: Circle
Farm to School Month Logo: Rectangle

Why is Farm to School Important? 

More money for Massachusetts’ food and farm economy

Every $1.00 spent on direct farm purchases in Massachusetts generates another $1.12 in local economic activity. Massachusetts schools spend over $170 million on food every year and we want more of those dollars going to Massachusetts farmers and fishers.

Increased access to high quality foods for Massachusetts school kids

Every kid in Massachusetts should grow up with local food on their lunch tray. By giving schools and early childhood programs the resources they need to buy from Massachusetts farmers and fishers, we are ensuring equitable access to high quality, local food for all Massachusetts school children.

School meal programs THRIVE

Universal school meals and a local food incentive can work together to increase participation in school meals, so more students are nourished and ready to learn. When paired, these programs increase meal participation, which gives school food programs more dollars to buy more local food, sending more money back into the local economy.

Think about Your Audiences

 Farm to school requires you to interact with many different audiences. Different stories will appeal to those audiences.

Families

• Great food their children are eating
• School gardens providing opportunities for hands-on learning outdoors
• Local purchasing supports local economy

Students

• New and interesting menu options
• What farms their food comes from
• Food that comes from gardens at school
• How to get involved in farm to school

School Staff

• Connecting the cafeteria and the classroom
• How to advocate for more local foods in the cafeteria
• Benefits of local, healthy food to students

Legislators

• Benefits of local, healthy food to students
• Benefits of experiential learning (school gardens, etc.) 
• Economic benefit to farmers & local producers