Farm to School in Mississippi: A Step-by-Step Guide to Purchasing Mississippi Products

In a state with rich agricultural resources, lasting traditions of family farming, and a climate conducive to year-long growing seasons, why are Mississippi’s school children eating fruits and vegetables predominantly shipped from other states and countries? Farm to school programs that connect Mississippi farmers with schools offer a promising way to increase fruit and vegetable consumption for students while improving the economic viability of local farms. This step-by-step purchasing guide aims to help school food service directors in Mississippi start to purchase locally grown foods to be served in school meals

Farm to Institution

In a state with rich agricultural resources and a long farming tradition, why are Mississippi’s institutions serving fruits and vegetables mostly shipped from other states and countries? Connecting Mississippi growers with institutions within the state offers a promising way to increase fruit and vegetable consumption while improving the economic viability of local farms. This step-by-step guide aims to help growers in Mississippi start to sell locally grown foods to be served in meals at institutions around the state, such as hospitals, schools, prisons, and state and local government agencies