Farm to School Roadshow Workshops Connect Local Farmers and Schools

Schools across Minnesota are increasingly interested in sourcing fresh, locally grown produce, and a new Farm to School Roadshow aims to strengthen partnerships between local vegetable farmers and school food service programs.
The University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Department of Education have partnered to offer a statewide series of workshops designed to help farmers navigate selling to schools while giving food service buyers the tools to successfully integrate Minnesota-grown products into their menus.
Training for Farmers and School Buyers
The workshops provide in-depth training for vegetable producers, including:
• Developing a crop plan tailored to school buyers
• Meeting wholesale customer demands, including volume, quality, and consistency
• Food safety practices such as washing and handling produce
• Pest control strategies for sustainable farming
School buyers will also have the chance to network with farmers, discuss procurement processes, and explore best practices for Farm to School programs.
Free Statewide Workshops in February
The workshops are free and include a half-day or full-day option, with lunch provided by the Minnesota Farmers Union and NCR Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.
Workshop Dates & Locations:
• February 11 – Prairie Wetlands Learning Center (Fergus Falls)
• February 12 – Sprout MN (Little Falls)
• February 13 – Cloquet Public Library (Cloquet)
• February 18 – Minnesota Department of Education (Minneapolis)
• February 26 – Aune Hall at Graham Park (Rochester)
• February 28 – New Ulm Civic Center (New Ulm)
Why It Matters
“It is critical that we help all farmers understand how to sell into new wholesale accounts like schools,” said Natalie Hoidal, Extension Educator at UMN Vegetable Production. “These workshops will help Minnesota’s vegetable farmers learn how to meet the needs of schools while ensuring students have access to fresh, local produce.”
Jayme Anderson from the Minnesota Department of Education emphasized the importance of these partnerships. “Schools and early care providers are actively seeking local food sources, and these trainings will improve access to healthy, Minnesota-grown products for students across the state.”
How to Register
Farmers and school buyers can register for the Farm to School Roadshow at z.umn.edu/F2SRoadshows.