IDALS Farm to School Program
DESCRIPTION
CONTACT NAME
Tammy Stotts
EMAIL
[email protected]
PHONE
515-281-7657
OFFICE ADDRESS
502 E. 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
TYPE OF WORK
Government Agency,Educational/School,Garden
Program
COUNTIES
Polk
Activities
Statewide
The goals behind each of the IDALS Farm to School Program initiatives is
to link schools with Iowa farmers; provide schools with fresh and minimally
processed Iowa-grown food for inclusion in school meals and snacks, and
encourage children to develop healthy eating habits while offering them
hands-on learning activities.
Iowa Farm to School Chapter Initiative helps individuals and organizations
establish Farm to School Chapters in their communities. Chapters can
encompass an entire school district or simply be built around one school and
a single project. They provide a resource packet with step-by-step instructions
for starting a successful Farm to School chapter, and ongoing advice to
chapters that register with them.
IDALS maintians a directory of farmers who are interested in participating in
Iowa Farm to School programs.
As a part of the Growing Together initiative, FFA chapters receive incentives
to plant a fruit or vegetable that can be included in a school meal.
"A" is for Apple Initiative supports teachers to get Iowa-grown apples into their
classrooms and schools. Since 2008, the "A" is for Apple initiative has
supported teachers with financial assistance, curriculum, and information
about connecting with local Iowa apple growers.
The A Garden is the Way to Grow initiative offers Iowa schools the
opportunity to apply for funding to create their own school garden. In 2013,
funds of $350 were allocated to 20 school districts to buy the supplies
necessary to create a garden or raised beds. In addition to funds, each
participating school received a garden planner and seeds from Seed Saver
Exchange along with either a nationally-recognized, elementary-level, garden-
based curriculum "Growing in the Garden", or a refractometer / sap extractor.
HOW TO HELP
Anyone who is interested in working with IDALS Farm to School Program
should contact them directly.
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