Central ND News

North Dakota is leading the mountain plains region in Farm to School activities, according to the latest United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm to School Census. The region includes Colorado, Montana, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

The program in North Dakota is managed by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring stated, “North Dakota leads the region with 75% of school food authorities in the state serving local foods in school lunch.” He emphasized that the program helps students understand food origins and provides opportunities for interaction with local producers through activities like taste testing and farm field trips.

State school superintendent Kirsten Baesler noted, “Students who are well fed are better able to learn. That’s true of their teachers and principals too. And no one does a better job than North Dakota farmers and ranchers in supplying nutritious food for our school cafeteria plates.”

The state also excels in other areas such as serving local foods in salad bars, growing culturally relevant foods, promoting local foods at schools, and hosting community events related to Farm to School initiatives. The most commonly served local foods include beef, milk, baked goods, apples, and potatoes.

Further details on North Dakota's Farm to School Census results can be accessed online. For more information about the program within the state, Jenna Nieters from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture or Amanda Olson from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction can be contacted.