{"id":270,"date":"2019-09-18T14:35:40","date_gmt":"2019-09-18T14:35:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/child-and-adult-care-food-program\/?page_id=270"},"modified":"2025-08-15T19:24:32","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T19:24:32","slug":"farm-to-cacfp","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/child-and-adult-care-food-program\/farm-to-cacfp\/","title":{"rendered":"Farm to CACFP"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Virginia\u2019s Farm to CACFP initiative connects participants to nutrition education, Virginia grown foods, and gardening opportunities. Through these activities, CACFP participants learn about Virginia agriculture while building their knowledge of and interest in healthy foods.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Celebrate Virginia Farm to School Week October 6-10, 2025<\/strong>!<\/span><\/h2>\n

October is National Farm to School Month, a time to celebrate connections happening all over the country between schools, early care and adult centers, and local food! Farm to school enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and early care and education settings. Agriculture is Virginia\u2019s largest industry, and supporting local farms increases employment opportunities and community food security while providing the freshest food for all learners.<\/p>\n

For additional information on Virginia Farm to School initiatives, visit the\u00a0VDOE-SNP Farm to School website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Virginia Farm to School Week from October 6\u201310, 2025:<\/strong><\/p>\n

House Joint Resolution No. 692 (2015) designates the first full week in October as Virginia Farm to School Week. School divisions and community partners can celebrate in countless ways, including with seasonal foods featured on school menus, poster contests, farm tours, standards of learning-based lessons that feature Virginia Harvest of the Month crops, and the Crunch Heard 'Round the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Crunch Heard \u2018Round the Commonwealth<\/h3>\n
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\"Crunch<\/p>\n

In partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, the Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs (VDOE-SCNP) eighth annual Crunch Heard \u2018Round the Commonwealth will take place during Virginia Farm to School Week on Thursday, October 9, 2025<\/strong>. Across the Commonwealth, Virginians will make some noise for farm to school programs by taking a bite out of a fresh, Virginia grown apple on the same day.<\/p>\n

All Virginians are encouraged to participate. The \u201cCrunch\u201d may be celebrated at any location (e.g. classroom, cafeteria, early care education site, adult day care program, farm, office, outdoors, at home in a virtual learning setting, etc.). To register for the event and download the free digital 2025 Crunch Toolkit and marketing materials, complete the<\/strong> Crunch Heard 'Round the Commonwealth Registration Form<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more information, please email Sara Hazan, VDOE-SCNP Farm to School Specialist, at Sara.Hazan@doe.virginia.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n

New Virginia Farm to School Resources:<\/strong><\/h3>\n