As 2025 draws to a close, Pennsylvania’s Farm to School program is marking a year defined by expanded partnerships, hands-on learning and renewed focus on connecting students with locally grown food.
Throughout the year, schools across the state strengthened ties with farmers, educators, and community organizations, bringing agriculture into classrooms and cafeterias while promoting student wellness and food literacy. The year began with renewed momentum in January, as schools launched wellness initiatives, explored new procurement options for Pennsylvania-grown food, and participated in professional development opportunities. The PA Farm Show and the Pasa Sustainable Agriculture (Pasa) annual conference set the tone, highlighting the depth and diversity of the state’s agricultural system.
Winter workshops and trainings for teachers, food service professionals and farmers laid the groundwork for spring activities, while funding opportunities such as the USDA Farm to School Grant program encouraged schools and early childhood centers to plan new projects.
By spring, farm-to-school efforts moved outdoors. School gardens and early learning sites became hands-on classrooms where students planted seeds, tracked growth, composted food scraps, and learned about food systems firsthand. Field trips to farms, greenhouses and community gardens connected lessons to real-world agriculture, while cooking activities and taste tests introduced students to new foods and sparked conversations about nutrition and culture.
Statewide initiatives supported this work, including Ag Literacy Week and the Pennsylvania Nutrition Network’s “Growing Together” conference, which brought together hundreds of nutrition educators and partners.
During the summer months, capacity building became a central focus. The PA Farm to School Network expanded its reach by welcoming five Community Mentors to support regional collaboration and local action planning. The network, in partnership with The Food Trust, also launched the first Pennsylvania Farm to School Institute, bringing together teams from schools and early care and education programs to develop long-term strategies and hands-on experiences for students.
Additional training sessions hosted by Project PA and the Pennsylvania Department of Education supported professionals involved in school meals, childcare nutrition and summer feeding programs. The reopening of the PA Farm to School Grant Program provided up to $15,000 for projects ranging from teacher training to school gardens and farm field trips.
In the fall, disruptions to SNAP and WIC benefits highlighted the importance of food access and resilience. Schools, farms, food banks and community groups mobilized to support families, while advocates continued pushing for policies such as the Keystone Fresh Act to increase Pennsylvania-grown foods in school meals.
Source: pafarmtoschool