A New Market School Sales
68.4% of Idaho School Authorities serve locally sourced products as of the 2019 Farm Census. Our goal is 100% participation from all Idaho schools.
Producer resources
farm to school helps expand your market
Bringing the Farm to School: Agricultural Producer’s Toolkit
SEE MORE STATS
Farm to School in the News2024 MAJOR WIN
Child Nutritional Program Standards final rulings are a WIN for our Idaho producers and the Farm to School Program.
step 1: register!
Idaho Preferred® members have the opportunity to use the Idaho Preferred® logo on their packaging, signs, websites, and other promotional materials. Recent market research found that over 40% of consumers statewide recognize the Idaho Preferred® logo. The Idaho Preferred® logo lets current and potential customers know that your products are “The Pick of the Crop from Idaho.”
STEP 1IDAHO PREFERRED
REGISTERIdaho Preferred® is a program of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture to identify and promote Idaho food and agriculture products. Currently, over 300 farmers, ranchers, fruit growers, winemakers, bread bakers, specialty foods companies, and nurseries are participants in the Idaho Preferred® program.
how will I connect with schools?
The Idaho Department of Agriculture and the Idaho Preferred Program are working to develop resources that can connect you to your local School Food Authorities. The resources will map local farms with Idaho schools in order to bring Farm to School to all schools in Idaho. Registration with the Idaho Preferred Program gains you access to these resources as they become available.
Watch our Idaho Preferred Origin Story series to get to know the producers in Idaho. Idaho Preferred Origin Stories highlight our producers and let your customers know who you are, what you grow, and where you distribute your products.
Watch here!
already an Idaho preferred member?
start here!
Join the movement transforming school meals with the National Farm to School Network, Idaho Preferred, and a powerhouse team including the Idaho State Departments of Agriculture and Education, University of Idaho Extension, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, and other dynamic local, regional, and national organizations! We’re here to empower you with the tools and knowledge to become a vital part of the Farm to School revolution in your community.
Dive into our exciting, step-by-step guide and discover how you can make a difference, one farm-to-school connection at a time!
Bringing the Farm to School Agricultural Toolkit
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR SCHOOL MARKETS STEP 2
LEARN MOREPROCUREMENT RESOURCESSTEP 3
LEARN MOREMARKETING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS STEP 4
LEARN MORECHOOSING THE RIGHT PRODUCTSTEP 5
GROWING FOR SCHOOLS STEP 6
farm to school toolkitproducer resources
access workbook hereGap Certifications and Licensure watch and learn
learn more hereFunding and Grants resources and information
learn more herefarm to school successcontinuing education
CAFF connects farms with businesses, providing growers with a suite of practical services—from food safety assistance to coordinating institutional purchasing to introducing school children to fresh fruits and vegetables—to ensure supply and demand grow together. If you’re a farmer who wants to know how to start selling food to new markets this is the video for you!