With your help, this year we have an important opportunity to put more schools on the path to purchase and serve more fresh, healthy, farm-fresh food to our children. The  New York Farm to School grants program and the New York State Farm to School Purchasing Incentive, funded in the state budget, work hand in hand to bring more New York grown food to students in K-12 schools. These programs are poised to help New York rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting our farmers, strengthening resilient local food supply chains, and contributing to public health.  

AFT’s recent “Growing Resilience” report revealed that in spite of the challenges posed by the pandemic, schools have remained committed to farm to school, and with continued state support, by 2025 these programs can help schools spend $250 million on food from New York farms, generating $360 million in economic activity statewide. These programs will also increase access to healthy, farm-fresh food for 900,000 kids across the state by 2025. At a time when many children face food insecurity and schools have become a primary source of free meals for many hungry New York families, helping schools to purchase and serve more fresh local food to kids is an important way to keep them healthy. But it won’t happen without your help. 

TAKE ACTION: Call or write your state representatives today to let them know you support strong funding for both of these critical programs which help schools put more healthy, local food on our children's plates while supporting our state's farmers!   

Not sure who to call? Find your state senator or assemblymember. Below is a suggested script to help you communicate with your representatives about the important opportunity before us:  

“I am a constituent in your district, and this year I am calling to ask you to take two actions to support our state’s Farm to School programs. First, to maintain funding for the Farm to School Reimbursement Incentive at $10 million. Second, to maintain $1.5 million for the Farm to School Grants program—while also ensuring that through this program all schools have access to a regional farm to school coordinator who will give them the support they need to increase local purchases. Farm to School programs help grow our farm economy and strengthen our communities while improving the health of our kids. Thank you for considering these requests!“   

With just one click on the “Take Action” button, enter your information and send a customized letter directly to your state representatives in support of strong funding for these critical programs which improve the health of our children and support our state’s farmers!