Summer 2026 Farm Fresh Challenge

The Summer 2026 Farm Fresh Challenge is an HNS initiative designed to empower Child Nutrition Program (CNP) operators to cultivate excitement around fresh and locally sourced foods. Participating operators must complete challenges that promote participants' tasting, teaching, and connection to foods local to Arizona within the month of June 2026.


What are the Summer 2026 Farm Fresh Challenge rules?
Participants of the Farm Fresh Challenge must complete a series of TASTE, TEACH, and CONNECT activities.

TASTE Arizona:

  • The copper tier is awarded to sites that can procure three "easy to reach" local items (milk. fruit or vegetable). Fruits and vegetables can be counted more than once if more than one variety is served. 
  • The sliver tier is awarded to those who accomplished the copper tier and one additional "hard to reach" local item (whole grain or meat/meat alternate).
  • The gold tier is awarded to those who accomplished the copper tier and two additional "hard to reach" local items 

TEACH Arizona: Host a minimum of two educational activities themed around Arizona local food and agriculture.
CONNECT Arizona: Promote your challenge activities via a social media post. magazine feature, newspaper article. etc.