This January, our board member extraordinaire, Elishia Tucker, and RVF2S Program Director Melina Barker, facilitated a professional development workshop in the Ashland School District, focused on scratch-cooking delicious school meals. The starring ingredients: leafy greens.

When done well, a thriving school lunch program can ensure all children receive healthy, fresh lunches. Thanks to the leadership of the new District Interim Nutrition Services Supervisor Christina Lehman, we are thrilled to see Ashland School District working with local producers like Valley View Orchard, Fry Family Farm, Naumes and more. "It has been clear that is what Ashland parents want to see served to their children. Having a nutrition director who is committed like Christina Lehman is a game changer." 

For more than a year, Rogue Valley Farm to School has been piloting programs with schools aimed at deepening the impact of our mission. In December, the enthusiasm of students, teachers, and school administrators was rewarded when Rogue Valley Farm to School was awarded $65,340 to support our district-wide partnership with Central Point School District. Focused on serving all five elementary schools in the district, the partnership will also include a strategic exploration of developing programs for middle school and high school students.

Rogue Valley Farm to School is racing towards a stronger food system with our 8th annual Siskiyou Challenge! We sat down with Farm to Cafeteria/Siskiyou Challenge Coordinator Greg Dills to learn more about his unique role and what race day means for farm to school in the Rogue Valley.

On the night of October 1st, at the launch of National Farm to School Month, more than 75 guests came together to celebrate our community's vibrant food system –– all to benefit Rogue Valley Farm to School's work of bringing local fruits and vegetables fresh from farms to school cafeterias.