Pictured: Food Service Director Brenda Rodriguez talks with Marshland Orchard at the Interbay Wholesale Farmers' Market.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture is dedicated to fostering relationships between schools and agricultural producers in Washington State. Our goal is to support expanding economic opportunities for farmers while educating students about the connections between food, farming, health, and the environment.
WSDA provides information, inspiration, assistance, and policy solutions for those working to supply healthy Washington-grown food and related education to youth in our State.
WSDA provides information, inspiration, assistance, and policy solutions for those working to supply healthy Washington-grown food and related education to youth in our State.
WSDA Farm to School Programming and Services
Pictured: Kids have local broccoli, scallions, and tomatoes from Hedlin Farms for Taste Washington Day celebrated at La Conner School District.
WSDA Farm to School Program History
In 2008, Washington advocates for children’s health, agricultural vitality, farmland preservation, environmental protection, and poverty alleviation identified local agriculture and child nutrition programs as a key intersection of these issues and a leverage point for change.
This coalition of advocates created the Local Farms - Healthy Kids Act, which was passed almost unanimously by the legislature and signed by the Governor in 2008. This legislation created the Farm to School Program within the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
This coalition of advocates created the Local Farms - Healthy Kids Act, which was passed almost unanimously by the legislature and signed by the Governor in 2008. This legislation created the Farm to School Program within the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
WSDA provides Farm to School education and outreach services as a part of the WSDA Regional Markets Program, working closely with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, WSU Food Systems Team, Washington State Farm to School Network, and other partners around the state to facilitate and improve farm to school connections for health, learning, and agricultural vitality.
Click the button below to read the inaugural 2008-2009 WSDA Farm to School Legislative Report:
In 2011, funding was eliminated for all Domestic Marketing and Economic Development programs at WSDA, including the Small Farm & Direct Marketing and Farm to School Programs. WSDA support of farm to school, other farm to institutional markets, and direct marketing farms continued on a limited basis with grant funds.
Through the 2013, 2018 and 2019 budget cycles, state funding was nearly restored to original levels. WSDA continues to support farms, schools and other organizations with this state funding support, along with some grants and partnerships.
The WSDA Farm to School Team
The WSDA Farm to School Team is part of the WSDA Regional Markets Program. The WSDA Regional Markets Program works to strengthen the economic viability of small and direct-marketing farms and ranches, and to increase the availability of healthy, locally-grown foods for all Washingtonians and support robust local food and agricultural economies. Our programs offer information, resources, training and technical assistance, and regulatory guidance to farms and local buyers of Washington agricultural products.
General Inquiries
farmtoschool@agr.wa.gov
Annette Slonim
WSDA Farm to School Lead
aslonim@agr.wa.gov
(206) 714-2757
Rachel Breslauer
WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grant Specialist
rachel.breslauer@agr.wa.gov
360-819-7412