Oakland Unified School District Farm to School Initiatives

Local In Oakland: The Numbers Oakland Unified School District 86 Schools 37, 000 students

New Farm to School Initiative: California Thursdays Why CA Thursdays? • Freshly prepared meals

Sourcing: Produce • Local Produce • Defining “Small Scale” • Creative Procurement

Program Overview • 20 school sites across Oakland. • In all schools, more than

Program Overview • 20 -60 varieties of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs and honey

Successes • Increased ACCESS to fresh, local, affordable produce. • Schools as community centers.

Successes • Distributed 340, 000 pounds of produce in neighborhoods surrounding 20 schools in

Challenges • Central distribution capacity. • Under-resourced school district. • Competing priorities of test

Challenges • Staffing structure imbalances: unpaid liaisons, varying skill sets of managers, dependence on

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Oakland Unified School District Farm to School Initiatives

Defining LOCAL in Oakland

Local In Oakland: The Numbers Oakland Unified School District 86 Schools 37, 000 students enrolled 39, 000 meals served per day 71% free and reduced Local Purchasing – Produce Meal Program – 50 -65% local depending on the season Harvest of the Month – 100% local Produce Markets – 75 -85% local depending on the season Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program – 65 -75% local depending on the season

New Farm to School Initiative: California Thursdays Why CA Thursdays? • Freshly prepared meals • Boost for the local economy • Reduced carbon footprint California Thursdays is: • Freshly prepared meals • Fresh CA crops • Local producers • Family farms • Professional Development • Innovative procurement strategies • Marketing opportunities • Nutrition education

Chorizo and Greens

Kung Pao Chicken

CA Thursday 2013 Launch

Sourcing: Produce • Local Produce • Defining “Small Scale” • Creative Procurement

October Boot Camp!

School Produce Markets

Program Overview • 20 school sites across Oakland. • In all schools, more than 70% of Students qualify for F/R Lunch. • Weekly markets open during after school hours. • Open to parents, school staff, students, and neighborhood residents.

Program Overview • 20 -60 varieties of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs and honey sold at each market. • Affordable prices with low mark-up from wholesale prices. • 75 -100% Pesticide-Free or Certified Organic produce, 75 -85% local depending on the season. • Culturally familiar foods like tomatillos, collard greens and Chinese broccoli & new items like kale, chard and butternut squash.

Oakland FRESH!

Successes • Increased ACCESS to fresh, local, affordable produce. • Schools as community centers. • Positive peer pressure = healthy eating at school AND at home. • Supporting small family farms.

Successes • Distributed 340, 000 pounds of produce in neighborhoods surrounding 20 schools in East and West Oakland. • Sold over $500, 000 worth of produce last year. • Gained the tireless and invaluable support of more than 200 community residents as Volunteers! • Hired 35 community residents as Market Managers.

Oakland FRESH!

Our Farmers!

Challenges • Central distribution capacity. • Under-resourced school district. • Competing priorities of test scores and teaching with market operations/outreach.

Challenges • Staffing structure imbalances: unpaid liaisons, varying skill sets of managers, dependence on volunteer labor. • Training. • Cost/Pricing – Access vs. support of sustainable agriculture. • Driving demand.