Connecting Schools to Local Food: How Feed Our Future Brings Farm to School to Life
- David Pisanick
- Oct 20
- 3 min read
When it comes to wholesome meals fueling healthy lives, local food plays a big role. In a recent conversation with Ali Guzik, Program Manager for the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and leader of Feed Our Future, we explored how her team connects schools, farmers, and communities to put fresh, local food on students’ trays.
What Is Feed Our Future?
Feed Our Future is a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring young minds to make mindful choices about what they eat. They connect schools, homes, and communities with resources on:
Food sourcing
Nutrition education
Promoting local foods
The goal? To make it easier for schools to offer farm-fresh, regionally sourced meals—and to help students understand and appreciate where their food comes from.
Overcoming Funding Challenges
Federal funding for school meals has faced cuts in recent years, creating uncertainty for many programs. Despite this, Feed Our Future has secured sustainable funding through USDA grants and partnerships, allowing their work to continue.
Key funding sources include:
USDA Regional Food Systems Partnership grant
Patrick Leahy Farm to School grant
Support from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce for the Harvest of the Month program
Making Local Food Accessible
One of the biggest barriers for schools wanting to buy local is navigating purchasing rules. Feed Our Future partnered with the Ohio School Council to create a farm to school produce bid, allowing schools to easily and compliantly order local food year-round—no confusing RFPs required.
They also work to debunk myths:
Local isn’t always more expensive—in fact, price comparisons often show it’s competitive.
Local food is safe—Feed Our Future supports farmers in meeting food safety standards like GAP certification.
Tools and Resources for Schools
Feed Our Future offers a variety of ways to help schools start or grow their farm-to-school programs:
Launching Local Farm to School Guide – Step-by-step tips to begin integrating local foods.
Harvest Bar Tool – A fun take on produce bars, featuring a seasonal “Harvest of the Month” item.
Compliant Menus – Resources to ensure school menus meet USDA guidelines and Buy American provisions.
They also provide traceability reports each October for Farm to School Month, showing exactly where local food was sourced, how much was purchased, and the impact on the local economy.
Bringing Local to Life for Students
Feed Our Future believes the cafeteria can be an extension of the classroom. Their programs engage students through:
Totally Tasty Events – Interactive taste tests that encourage students to try new local foods.
Harvest of the Month Kits – Posters, stickers, and promotional materials to celebrate seasonal produce.
Grower Trading Cards – Fun collectibles that share facts about local farmers.
School Gardens – Hands-on learning opportunities, from preschool programs to community partnerships like Spice Acres.
These experiences not only introduce kids to fresh produce but also encourage them to bring that excitement home—sometimes even inspiring families to garden or shop local.
Why It Matters
Farm to school programs aren’t just about healthier menus—they’re about building community, supporting local agriculture, and creating lifelong healthy eating habits. Students gain knowledge, schools strengthen connections with local growers, and communities benefit from the economic boost.
“It’s about making the cafeteria an extension of the classroom and giving kids those ‘aha’ moments with food.” — Ali Guzik, Feed Our Future
A Local Pizza Story
When asked about her favorite school lunch, Ali didn’t hesitate—pizza day. Today, many school pizzas are made with locally milled flour and dough from community bakeries, proving that even comfort food can have a strong local connection.
The Takeaway
Feed Our Future is breaking down barriers, providing resources, and championing the cause of local food in schools. With their turnkey tools and community-first approach, they’re helping districts bring farm-fresh flavor to the cafeteria—one harvest at a time.
📍 Learn more & access resources: FeedOurFuture.org