Ventura County Farm to School is committed to supporting schools develop healthy, local food procurement practices, and implement agricultural, nutrition, whole food cooking, and garden and farm-based education. Ventura County Farm to School is a group of farmers and school food service departments working together to bring local, seasonal, fresh fruits and vegetables to students. Funded in its fi
rst year by a USDA grant, Ventura County Farm to School introduces students to local crops and the farmers who grow them, and encourages students to include more fruits and vegetables in their diet through Harvest of the Month taste-testings, Farmer of the Month profiles, Harvest of the Month recipes featured on school salad bars, and more. Currently, the participating school districts include Hueneme , Ojai, Oxnard, Rio, Conejo and Ventura; plans to expand the program to more students and school districts are in the works. Committee members include local farmers, school nutritionists, food service directors, produce suppliers, and farm- to-school community advocates with the goal of increasing Ventura County school children's access to seasonal produce.
