This year, students in Lafayette Parish School System and Richland Parish School System will have more local foods items, aquaponic garden systems and increased food education thanks to a new initiative from the National Farm to School Network. Acadiana High School in Lafayette Parish; and Delhi High School and Rayville High School in Richland Parish have been selected to participate in Seed Change as Demonstration Sites in Louisiana for schools to visit and learn about our growing farm to school program.
In addition to school garden production greenhouses and local food procurement, demonstration sites will host and train school professionals from 32 schools across the state throughout the year to help increase these opportunities for all students. These 32 schools and districts have been selected to participate in Seed Change and each awarded a $5,000 mini grant to increase farm to school activities.
The first Seed Change farm to school training kicked off October 9, 2015, just in time for National Farm to School Month and took place in Lafayette at Acadiana High School. Richland Parish School System will host their first training November 12. Seed Change in Louisiana is hosted by Market Umbrella in partnership with the Louisiana Farm to School Alliance and is funded by the National Farm to School Network with a generous donation from the Walmart Foundation. To learn more about Seed Change in Louisiana visit farmtoschool.org/seedchange
Katie Mularz, NFSN State Lead and Coordinator Louisiana Farm to School Alliance.
Wilson School garden, New Orleans, LA