Fresh From the Farm Healthy Fundraising for Ontario Schools

November 21, 2018

Written by: Fresh From the Farm

Over 390 schools have already signed up for the Fall 2018 Fresh from the Farm campaign whereby students raise funds by selling fresh Ontario-grown apples, potatoes, onions, carrots and sweet potatoes.  Building on the success of the program which launched as a pilot five years ago, over 5000 schools in Ontario are eligible to participate in this year’s program.

Since 2013, 1165 schools have raised over $1.1 million for school initiatives, selling 2.7 million lb of fresh Ontario-grown fruit and vegetables to Ontario families.

This year’s produce bundles include: an 8 lb box of Empire apples for $15 and a vegetable bundle of 5 lb white potatoes, 3 lb each of carrots, yellow onions and sweet potatoes for $14.  Students fundraise September 4 through to October 10 with deliveries scheduled throughout November. Parent volunteers bundle produce the same day the Ontario produce is delivered to the school.  Schools return to participate in Fresh from the Farm year after year, achieving significant profit for their school while helping to create a more supportive nutrition environment.

Fresh from the Farm is a collaborative initiative between the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association, the Ontario Ministry of Education and Dietitians of Canada.  The program was designed to provide schools and students a healthy fundraising alternative.  Fresh from the Farm supports and integrates several Ontario government priorities including The School Food and Beverage Policy and the Local Food Act, 2013, and it aligns with Ontario’s Food and Nutrition Strategy, 2017.

Fresh from the Farm provides an ideal opportunity for schools to introduce the topics of agri-food and healthy eating into the classroom.  Interested parents, educators and students can enrol here http://www.freshfromfarm.ca/Enrol.aspx

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