Farm to School

What We Do

The Farm to School Program educates Nantucket children about the local food system through hands-on learning experiences. We work with students in classrooms, after-school programs, and our summer camp to teach nutrition, encourage eating fresh fruits and vegetables, and share the joys of growing food. Partnering with the Nantucket Public School Food Service Department, we help increase the use of locally sourced produce in school lunches through grants and gleaning initiatives. The program also supports science and other school curricula, teaches environmental stewardship, and promotes self-reliance through gardening, fostering a deeper connection between students and their food.

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Farm to School in the Classroom

Our Farm to School program brings hands-on food education into Nantucket classrooms, helping students from kindergarten through high school develop a deeper understanding of nutrition, agriculture, and sustainability. Through engaging lessons and interactive activities, we connect students with where their food comes from and empower them to make healthier choices.

As part of the Nantucket Nutrition Project, we introduce students to the importance of a balanced diet, using the USDA MyPlate model to teach them how to build nutritious meals with fresh, wholesome ingredients. Lessons are designed to be age-appropriate, ensuring that young learners grasp basic concepts like food groups and portion sizes, while older students explore more complex topics such as food systems, local agriculture, and the impact of diet on overall health.

In elementary school wellness and physical education, Farm to School integrates with existing curricula to reinforce healthy habits through fun, hands-on learning. Students participate in cooking demonstrations, taste tests of locally grown produce, and gardening activities that encourage them to explore fresh foods in a meaningful way. By engaging students in these experiences early on, we help foster lifelong habits that support their well-being and connection to the environment.

Farm to School in the Garden

Our Farm to School program extends beyond the classroom and into the garden, where students of all ages experience the joy of growing their own food. Through hands-on learning in school and community gardens, we introduce students to the fundamentals of planting, tending, and harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables. By getting their hands dirty, they develop a personal connection to the food they eat and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

During the summer, our garden-based Farm to School Summer Camp provides an immersive experience where children explore sustainable agriculture, composting, and farm-to-table cooking. Campers engage in planting, watering, and harvesting crops while learning about local food systems in a fun and engaging environment.

In addition to summer programming, we offer after-school programs focused on gardening and growing local food. These sessions allow students to continue their learning outside of school hours, fostering teamwork, responsibility, and self-sufficiency. Whether they are planting seeds, caring for garden beds, or tasting the fruits of their labor, students leave with valuable skills that encourage healthy eating and environmental stewardship.

Farm to School on the Farm

Bringing students to the source of their food, our Farm to School on the Farm initiative connects children with Nantucket’s local farms through engaging farm tours, hands-on activities, and community events. Public and private schools, daycare programs, and summer camps have the opportunity to visit working farms, where students can see firsthand where and how their food is grown. These experiences deepen their understanding of local agriculture, nutrition, and the importance of supporting sustainable farming practices.

Through these visits, students can explore fields of lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, butternut squash, beans, herbs, kohlrabi, celery, daikon radish, cantaloupe, and beets—many of which end up in their own school lunches. Sustainable Nantucket plays a key role in bridging the gap between local farmers and the Nantucket Public Schools by facilitating the purchasing of island-grown produce. This farm-to-table connection not only ensures fresher, healthier meals for students but also strengthens the island’s agricultural community.

The Farm to School Committee

The Farm to School Committee comprises Nantucket community members of all professions. Members of the committee help with a variety of tasks to support the various Farm to School programs. Whether it is teaching during our summer camps, helping maintain the garden on clean up days, providing guidance for best agricultural practices, engaging in outreach to families or washing vegetables in the school cafeteria, our committee members are dedicated to getting children in the garden and healthy food on their plates. We appreciate our committee members and could not do what we do without them! Currently our members are: Ella Potenza, Beth Davies, Sean Allen, Hunter Stojak, Zacil “Sassy” Nash, Linda Peterson and Posie Constable.

Resources

Tools to help you bring local food and food education to your community
KidsGardening supports the educators and caregivers bringing the life-changing benefits of gardening to kids.
Life Lab cultivates children's love of learning, nourishing food, and nature through garden-based education.