As CDFA continues the celebration of October as National Farm to School Month, we’re highlighting two-time California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program grantee Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Union School District (YCJUSD), in San Bernardino County.
YCJUSD started purchasing oranges and kiwi from local farm Old Grove Orange nearly 20 years ago. Since then, farm to school has blossomed into a cornerstone program of the district and its partnership with Old Grove Orange has grown stronger by the year. Approximately 45 percent of YCJUSD’s fresh fruit and vegetables now locally grown and sourced.
“Our partnership has extended from beyond the cafeteria and into the classroom, and the grants have allowed us to expand and provide funding for our programs,” said YCJUSD Nutrition Program Manager Lilyanna Montenegro.
The grant helped YCJUSD expand its local purchases and fund educational activities such as Old Grove Farm Field Trips for all 2nd-5th-grade students; Mini Farmers Markets for all TK-1st graders; and Harvest of the Month Education programs in the classroom.
If you would like to learn more about our Farm to School Program and our 250+ grantees, please visit the Farm to School Incubator Grant webpage well as the California Farm to School Program webpage.
This year’s National Farm-to-School Month theme, Growing for the Future, emphasizes the role of farm to school in creating thriving communities now and in the future. Farm to school helps young children and students eat healthy, fresh and locally grown meals in schools, and helps provide local farmers with a reliable source of income by feeding their communities.