Peace Garden News

North Dakota is at the forefront of Farm to School activities in the mountain plains region, according to a recent United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm to School Census. The region includes Colorado, Montana, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

The program in North Dakota is managed by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. "North Dakota leads the region with 75% of school food authorities in the state serving local foods in school lunch," stated Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. He emphasized that the program helps students understand food origins and offers them opportunities to meet local producers and participate in activities like taste testing and farm field trips.

Kirsten Baesler, the state school superintendent, remarked on the importance of nutrition for learning: "Students who are well fed are better able to learn. That’s true of their teachers and principals too. And no one does a better job than North Dakota farmers and ranchers in supplying nutritious food for our school cafeteria plates."

The state also leads in other areas such as serving local foods in salad bars, growing culturally relevant foods, promoting local foods at schools, and organizing Farm to School events for families and communities. The most commonly served local foods include beef, milk, baked goods, apples, and potatoes.

Further details on North Dakota's Farm to School Census results can be accessed online. For more information about the program within the state or inquiries related to it, Jenna Nieters from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture or Amanda Olson from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction can be contacted.