frequently asked questions

The Indiana Grown for Schools Network is a statewide collaborative working to grow and sustain farm to school and farm to early care activities in every Indiana county. We support partnerships between local farmers, schools, ECE sites, and communities to increase local food purchasing, expand gardens, strengthen nutrition education, and promote community-centered food systems.

We aim to build an Indiana food system that engages youth, farmers, educators, families, and communities in farm to school activities—creating a new generation of food citizens.

DescripFarm to School enriches connections between children, communities, and local food. It brings fresh, local foods into meals and snacks; engages students in hands-on learning through gardening, nutrition, cooking, and agriculture activities; and strengthens relationships with farmers and food producers.

Farm to School programs typically include:
• Local procurement – buying and serving Indiana-grown foods
• School gardens – hands-on growing and learning
• Education – food, nutrition, agriculture, and cooking lessons

Farm to ECE brings local food, gardening, sensory exploration, and nutrition education to children ages 0–5. Activities are age‑appropriate, hands‑on, and focused on building curiosity, healthy habits, and early food literacy.

Food service directors, farmers, educators, parents, and community members all play a role. Explore toolkits, join network meetings, volunteer in gardens, support tastings, connect schools to farms, or partner through local organizations.

Use our online form to share your farm to school success story. We love featuring Indiana schools, ECE sites, farms, and community partners.

The Indiana Grown for Schools Newsletter includes events, grants, upcoming trainings, farm to school stories, highlights from statewide and national partners, and new resources. Sign up on our website or email Brianna at bgoode@health.in.gov.

No! Many schools start with tastings, local food purchases, farm visits, classroom lessons, or virtual farm tours. Gardens can come later.

Children ages 0–18 can engage in farm to school activities. Experiences range from sensory exploration and simple planting in ECE settings to school gardens, cooking lessons, field trips, and classroom food education.

Students spend half their waking hours and eat more than half their calories at school. Farm to School improves children’s health, supports local economies, strengthens community connections, and builds lifelong healthy habits.

Schools can buy directly from farms, food hubs, or distributors. The Interactive Producer Directory helps identify nearby growers and the products they offer. For procurement guidance, explore the Procurement Toolkit or request technical assistance.

Start by learning about school food service needs and procurement requirements. Contact local nutrition directors, reach out to Indiana Grown, Purdue Extension, or your local food council, and review the Producer Toolkit for packaging, delivery, volume, and food safety expectations.

Schools may require:

• consistent availability

• appropriate pack sizes

• food safety documentation

• clear pricing

• delivery scheduling

The Producer Toolkit outlines these considerations in detail.

Value Chain Coordinators help schools and producers build strong purchasing relationships. They support communication, promote regional products, help identify local food opportunities, and guide buyers and growers through procurement processes.

Our website includes comprehensive toolkits on procurement, school gardens, education, and farm to ECE; a Harvest of the Month database; the Interactive Producer Directory; and curated resources from statewide and national leaders.

Our Education Toolkit includes lesson plans, taste tests, garden activities, and food education ideas for early childhood through high school.

IGFSN provides individualized support with planning, procurement, garden development, lesson ideas, connecting with local farmers, grant writing, and program expansion. Submit the Technical Assistance form or email Brianna Goode at bgoode@health.in.gov.

Connect with Purdue Extension, local food councils, farmers markets, conservation districts, community nonprofits, or reach out to IGFSN for matchmaking support.

Yes. Schools and ECE sites may access state, federal, and local funding opportunities including USDA Farm to School Grants, equipment grants, garden grants, and community-based funding. Visit our Funding & Grants section or request assistance for guidance.