Introduction

Why write this book?

After years of learning about and experiencing firsthand the farm to table movement, I felt compelled to share what I have learned along the way. My hope is that this book will be a guide to help you serve more local, healthful food at your school and to help create a more environmentally sustainable planet.

The farm to table movement (F2T) and farm to school movement (F2S) are connected in many ways. Farm to table could be considered the larger entity that encompasses all farm direct food distribution settings, with the recipients being groups and individuals. Under this umbrella are many sub-categories. Some of these categories can be broken down even further into subgroups. A good example of this could be farm to preschool (F2PS), a sub group of farm to school. Whether you are involved in an educational setting that is privately run or are in a publicly operated institution, this information should be valuable. It is not difficult to serve local food in your establishment, but it will take patience, planning and communication.

The collection of stories, points and steps compiled in this book will help you learn how to effectively plan, communicate, and execute a farm to school program.

Who is This Book For?

This book is geared towards several people. Chefs, students, teachers, food service directors, school administrators, facility managers, and business leaders. All can benefit from reading this book.

There are many ways that establishments can benefit from serving local foods and supporting local agriculture. In addition to showing you how to support local agriculture, this guide will demonstrate how your institution can be more sustainable in other areas as well.

What Can You Get Out of This Book?

Chapter one walks through five top reasons for adopting the farm to table concept in your institution. Chapters two and three document my background and history. Chapter four lays out nine general points of focus for sustainability and chapter five outlines the steps you need to take to install a farm to school program at your institution.

It is important to do some self-reflection before attempting to embark on this project. Eating is a personal act. This book can be thought of as a starting point. Consider it a compass that will point you in the right direction. There is no cookie cutter model for taking farm to table into an establishment. Each situation and institution should be handled in a unique way.

Determine your goals and motivation. As you move through the chapters, ask yourself why you are considering embarking on this journey. Evaluate as you go as to where you are at in your own mind with the project. Farm to table can be a complicated process, so you need to understand where you are coming from and what your reasons are for pursuing it.

The main goals of this publication are to inspire and educate. In a nutshell, this book may inspire you and show you how to take the next step. I will list successes and learning moments. The goal is to educate you and encourage you to move beyond what has been done.