The kids are back in school, the leaves are changing and the local fair preparations are in full swing. It must be Fall! The warm days and cool nights are just one of the reasons why Autumn is my favourite season, fresh apples and farm stands overlflowing with bounty are another. This is the perfect time to introduce Fresh From the Farm to your school!
Fresh From the Farm is a school fundraiser that is beneficial to the school, kids and local community, so it’s a win-win-win all around. Instead of selling the same old chocolate bars, cookie dough and wrapping paper, Fresh From the Farm allows schools the opportunity to raise funds by selling local produce such as apples, potatoes, carrots and onions! With Thanksgiving right around the corner, this is the perfect time to stock up on fresh produce straight from the farm! Since September 2013, 152 Ontario schools have successfully piloted Fresh From the Farm and collectively distributed almost 130,000 kilograms of fresh Ontario fruit and vegetables. They’ve raised more than $112,000 for school initiatives in Ontario and an additional $150,000 was returned to local farmers!
• Teachers—provides opportunities for teaching about agri-food in the classroom!
• Farmers—supports Ontario’s farmers and the local economy!
• Schools—receive a great profit by selling healthy food alternatives!
• Students—learn about where their food comes from!
• Families and local communities—discover and enjoy Ontario‑grown‑harvested food!
Fresh from the Farm also supports Ontario government initiatives such as the Ontario Student Nutrition Program and the Action Plan for Health Care and Ontario’s Childhood Obesity Panel.
Who can Participate?
The entire list of Ontario elementary and secondary school boards that are eligible to participate can be found here.
What is being sold?
- Bundle A, for $10: 5 lb. potatoes, 3 lb. carrots, 3 lb. onions, 3 lb. sweet potatoes
- Bundle B, for $15: 8 lb. box of apples
How much profit does the school make?
- Schools make 40 per cent of total revenue collected (less a $60 delivery fee)
- Farmers are returned 50 per cent
- Fresh from the Farm receives 10 per cent for program sustainability
How does it work?
- School enrolls at www.FreshfromFarm.ca
- Students fundraise starting Sept 8th
- School orders ‘Bundles’ on-line
- Volunteers receive, sort and pack vegetables on the delivery day—ready for pick-up!
- Check out the video on-line to view a “typical delivery day!”
Find out more:
- Contact EatRight Ontario: 1-877-510-510-2
- Email: contact@freshfromfarm.ca
- Website: Fresh From the Farm
What type of fundraising does your school do? If you think your school may be interested in Fresh From the Farm be in touch with EatRight Ontario right away! Last day to enrol is October 9th!
On Social Media follow @freshfromfarmON on Twitter and FreshFromFarmON on Facebook
The post is in partnership with Fresh From the Farm in collaboration with Food Bloggers of Canada, all opinions belong to Mom vs the Boys.
That’s a useful fundraiser! Wish we had something like that here.
It makes sense to sell items families need and it’s great for the farmers too
What a great program and teaches kids all about healthy eating / supporting local!!
Well this sure is a fundraiser I could get excited about! Brilliant!
It’s really genius isn’t it?
Why hasn’t this happened sooner? 🙂
What a great program, so much better than the traditional chocolate bar fundraiser!
This is a great program.
I wish I knew what fundraising my son’s school did. I have to find out. This is a great program, healthy and tasty too!
yes, I love that it’s healthy and produce that families are buying anyway.
Now this is a great idea, I woujld love to support our schools this way. I will be mentioning this to our school for next year.
I really like this idea, supporting local farmers whilst raising money for the school – a super idea 🙂
It’s great for so many reasons!
This is much better idea than selling chocolates!