California Farm to School Program
Farm to school programs are a vital way to improve the health and well-being of California schoolchildren through integrated food-based education and healthy food access. California schools serve hundreds of millions of meals each year, and expanding opportunities for local food procurement that is tied to food-based education is essential for establishing healthy eating habits that children can carry into adulthood. Procurement of more California grown or produced food also supports connecting California's agriculture and food production to California consumers.
The CA Department of Food and Agriculture and CA Department of Education are collaborating to help connect schools with CA Food Producers, including socially disadvantaged food producers and small businesses. Please contact cafarmtoschool@cdfa.ca.gov if you would like additional support with the Local Food for Schools or School Food Best Practices programs.
As part of California’s nation-leading investment in farm to school programs, the California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) is excited to announce $25.5 million in funding for 120 farm to school projects across the state.
In total, these projects represent 1,489,364 students, 163 school districts and educational entities, over 50 farms, four food hubs and enormous support from California’s urban, rural and suburban communities.
CA Farm to School Newsletter
View previous newsletters here.
Questions?
Job Opportunities
CA Farm to School Network Regional Map

- Superior Region
- North Coast Region
- Bay Area Region
- Central Region
- San Joaquin Region
- South Coast Region
- Greater Los Angeles Region
- Southern Region
Regional Farm to School Network Leads
These new positions will establish our regional California Farm to School Network collaboratives, facilitate relationships with partners across the school food ecosystem, support California Farm to School Incubator Grantees, and organize regional convenings and events. Positions are fully remote and staff should live in/near their region.
- Central Region (Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, & Yolo counties)
Farm to School Regional Producer Engagement Specialist
These new positions will provide value chain coordination for schools, producers, + partners looking to sell foods to schools + institutional buyers. Focus is on small + midsize farms, BIPOC farmers + ranchers, + climate smart agriculture. Positions are fully remote and staff should live in/near their region.
- San Joaquin Region (Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, & Tulare counties)
- Southern Region (Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, & San Diego counties)