Marbleseed Conference 2025 - Presentations
Building Relationships with Schools and Institutions
Session: Session 2
Start / End: 08:00 AM - 10:00 AM Sat
Presenters:
- Allison Pfaff Harris
- Cathryn Herlihey
- Veronica Jalomo
- Virginia Pleasant
- Teresa Wiemerslage
- Jayme Anderson
- Carol Smathers
- Brittany Zerbe
- Sarah Elliott
- Cheyenne Liberti
- Mariel Borgman
The Local Food for Schools (LFS) program created new market opportunities for local producers by fostering direct connections with schools. With the LFS funding concluded, how can farmers continue to connect with schools and keep local food on student plates?
This session will explore the impact of LFS and provide practical strategies for building lasting partnerships with school districts today. Learn from growers who have successfully navigated these relationships and discover ways to sustain and grow your farm-to-school efforts, even without dedicated funding. This session provides an opportunity to engage in a facilitated discussion of “Farm to Institution”. Together, we will delve into the opportunities and barriers to institutional sales as a market for farmers. Join us to share ideas, learn from peers, and strengthen the link between local farms and schools.