Farm-to-School Programs: Perspectives of School Food Service Professionals
Abstract
Objective
This qualitative study used a case study approach to explore the potential of farm-to-school programs to simultaneously improve children's diets and provide farmers with viable market opportunities.
Design
Semistructured interviews were the primary data collection strategy.
Setting
Seven farm-to-school programs in the Upper Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States.
Participants
Seven school food service professionals, 7 farmers, and 4 food distributors recruited from 7 farm-to-school programs.
Phenomenon of Interest
Interviews probed why farmers, school food service professionals, and food distributors participate in farm-to-school programs and how they characterize the opportunities and challenges to local school food procurement.
Analysis
Data were analyzed using thematic coding and data displays.
Results
School food service professionals described 3 motivators for buying locally grown food for their cafeterias: (1) “The students like it,” (2) “The price is right,” and (3) “We're helping our local farmer.” Students' preference for locally grown food was related to food quality, influence of school staff, and relationships with farmers. Buying food directly from farmers and wholesalers was associated with lower prices and flexible specifications, and the “local feel.”
Conclusions and Implications
Understanding school food service professionals' motivations for buying locally grown food is critical to the sustainability of farm-to-school programs.
1School of Community Health, Portland State University, Portland, OR
2Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
3Departments of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies; Crop and Soil Sciences; Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Address for correspondence: Betty T. Izumi, PhD, MPH, RD, School of Community Health, Portland State University, 506 SW Mill Street, Suite 450, Portland, OR 97201; Phone: (503) 725-4401; Fax: (503) 725-5100
Dr. Izumi was affiliated with Michigan State University when this study was completed.
ABSTRACT