School gardens have become wildly popular in the last few years as an experiential education opportunity for students. Many school gardens grow enough produce for classrooms to have taste tests of different fruits and vegetables throughout the year, but some well-established gardens grow enough produce to supplement cafeteria meals! With the proper ground work and open communication, serving garden produce in the cafeteria might be an option at your school.
The USDA allows produce from school gardens to be served in the cafeteria, but the decision is ultimately left up to local level jurisdiction. Every state has different rules about using school garden produce in the cafeteria, and they may leave the ultimate decision to the school food service administration at the county level.
After determining if this is an acceptable practice in your district, food safety is the most important aspect to be aware of when serving garden produce in the cafeteria. Farms that sell to cafeterias must follow stringent food safety plans, and school gardens also need to have rules and procedures in place. Work with your district food service administration to come up with an appropriate food safety plan.
For samples of school garden food safety plans look here:
Teacher
Cafeteria Manager
Volunteers
Custodial Staff
Students
Serving school garden produce directly in the cafeteria requires background work on the part of administrators, teachers and school food service employees. However, the enthusiasm of students and the learning they experience as a result of growing food for school meals make the process rewarding for all involved.
For more school garden resources, click here!
Beth Owens, MAg, University of Florida/IFAS Extension
A garden pilot project enhances fruit and vegetable consumption among children—Journal of the American Dietetic Association
A School Garden Food Safety Manual for Chicago Public Schools (PDF) – LifeLab
Food Safety in the School Garden—University of Maryland Extension
Growing Interest: School-Grown Vegetables Increase Salad Selection—Cornell University Food and Brand Lab
Serving School Garden Grown Produce in the Cafeteria- Sample Policy and Protocols—LifeLab
Photo via USDA Flickr