Upper Valley Farm to School Network – for Wellborn Ecology Fund Newsletter 1-4-2010

The UVFTS has had a “fruitful” fall – with several new farm to school programs being launched, new FTS coordinators hired at three schools, forums held for FTS stakeholders and a new steering committee created to help guide the UVFTS bus / tractor down the road/row.  We are grateful to the Wellborn Ecology Fund for a capacity building grant that supports our activities and has helped leverage over $30,000 in additional funds to support FTS efforts in the Upper Valley.

Our recently revised website – www.uvfts.org – provides information about coming events; useful links; tools to connect farms to the classroom, cafeteria and community; a blog and social networking features.  One exciting component is the “Your FTS” page, which allows any FTS program to post and update their own web page, or link to an existing page.   The website is a work in progress, and comments are very welcome.

In 2010, the UVFTS will be holding a series of forums targeted to specific FTS issues.  The first will be a Farm to Cafeteria Working Group – on January 20^th (1-4 PM at the Woodstock Elementary School in Woodstock Vermont).  This gathering is designed for school cafeteria staff and FTS stakeholders to explore challenges and develop strategies related to incorporating local food into the school lunch program.  “Seasoned” cafeteria staff will share lessons related to procurement, processing, storage, serving and marketing local foods.  There is no charge for the session, but participants must register through email to Peter@UVFTS.org or by phone at 802 291-2019.

Wellborn funds also support  UVFTS site visits to schools in the Upper Valley that are interested starting, expanding or sustaining their farm to school program.  Contact us for more information about site visits to your school.

Check out the new web site – www.uvfts.org – and contact Peter Allison at peter@uvfts.org or 802 291-2019 to register for the Farm to Cafeteria Working Group, to post a page on our website, request a site visit or share your news.

Peter Allison

Director, UVFTS