2022 Farm Fresh Challenge

  • Fri, Oct 22 2021

 

October is National Farm to School Month! HNS released the Farm Fresh Challenge.

Are you up for the Health and Nutrition Services (HNS) Farm Fresh Challenge? 

In recognition of National Farm to School Month, the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) Health and Nutrition Services (HNS) Division is excited to announce the Program Year 2022 Farm Fresh Challenge for all Child Nutrition Program (CNP) operators.  

What is the Farm Fresh Challenge? 

The Farm Fresh Challenge is an HNS initiative designed to empower CNP operators to cultivate excitement around fresh and locally sourced foods. Participating operators must complete a series of challenges that promote the tasting, teaching, and connection of participants to foods local to Arizona.  

When is the Farm Fresh Challenge?  

October 1, 2021 – April 29, 2022.  Participating operators must complete all activities within a one-week timeframe between October 1 and April 29. 

What are the Farm Fresh Challenge rules? 

Participants of the Farm Fresh Challenge must complete all TASTE, TEACH, and CONNECT activities for the challenge to be considered complete. 

  • TASTE Arizona: Serve a minimum of three locally-sourced meal components (e.g., grain, dairy, fresh fruits or vegetables, eggs, or meat) during the week of your challenge to encourage your community to eat fresh, locally grown food. HNS is happy to help assist in procuring local foods! If you decide to participate and find you need assistance, email [email protected].   
  • TEACH Arizona: Host a minimum of two educational activities during the week of your challenge. These educational activities may include taste-testing local products, virtual or in-person field trips to local farms or farmers markets, inviting a farmer to visit your meal service, pen-pal programs with farmers, reading an Arizona agriculture-based book, virtual or in-person garden-based learning activities, or educational lessons focused on Arizona foods and agriculture. 
  • CONNECT Arizona: Share a minimum of one promotional material with your community that highlights your challenge activities (e.g., social media post, newspaper feature, newsletter, school website feature, posters or banners, etc.). Use #AZF2S or #FarmFreshAZ to expand the reach of your promotional efforts on social media!      

To keep track of your Farm Fresh Challenge activities and ensure successful completion, use the 2022 HNS Farm Fresh Challenge Scorecard.  

Is participation required?   

Participation in the Farm Fresh Challenge is strongly encouraged but is not required. Please indicate whether your organization intends to participate or not by completing the short survey linked below:  

Click Here to Access Survey

 

How do I become a Challenge Champion?  

To be a Challenge Champion, you must complete all activities within a one-week timeframe. In January, all operators will receive an email via HNS Communications with a link to a survey where you will report details about your challenge participation. Operators who successfully completed the Farm Fresh Challenge will be recognized by ADE.  

We look forward to seeing your participants TASTE, TEACH, and CONNECT with Arizona grown foods! If you need any assistance throughout the challenge, please email [email protected].   

View all Health and Nutrition Services posts