Building Food System Connections in Montgomery County: My Journey with the Food Policy Council and PA Farm to School

As an active member of the Montgomery County Food Policy Council, I participate in monthly meetings dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable food system in our region. One of our current goals is to develop a publicly accessible database of member organizations. This initiative aims to facilitate connections and collaboration among members and increase transparency about participation in the Council. Montgomery County PA

Through this collaborative environment, I discovered the Pennsylvania Farm to School Network, a statewide initiative committed to connecting local agriculture with schools. https://pafarmtoschool.org/

The Network supports farm to school programs by providing resources, advocacy, and technical assistance to schools and farmers across Pennsylvania.

One of the Network's significant efforts is the promotion of the Keystone Fresh Act (House Bill 2420), a proposed Local Food Purchasing Incentive (LFPI) for Pennsylvania. This legislation aims to increase the volume and variety of PA-grown food products in K-12 school meals by providing grants to schools for purchasing local foods, supporting farmers with equipment and marketing needs, and offering technical assistance to both schools and producers. pafarmtoschool.org+2Metro Philadelphia+2pafarmtoschool.org+2pafarmtoschool.org+2pafarmtoschool.org+2LinkedIn+2

The Keystone Fresh Act addresses common barriers to serving local food in schools, such as limited kitchen infrastructure and procurement challenges. By investing in local agriculture and school nutrition, the Act seeks to enhance student health, support Pennsylvania farmers, and strengthen community food systems. 

My involvement with the Montgomery County Food Policy Council and the PA Farm to School Network has deepened my commitment to fostering connections between local food producers and educational institutions. These collaborations are vital for building resilient, community-centered food systems that benefit both our children and local economies.