Healthy eating and healthy living are very important to our family. We grow a good portion of our food on our farm and for the food we do not grow, we try to buy locally as much as possible.
For me, making sure our six year old knows where her food comes from and how it is grown are also very important. Little One is involved in all aspects of food production from planting seeds, to growing, harvesting, prepping, cooking and putting the meals on the table. She really enjoys being included in everything and it gives her a connection to the food she consumes. Little One is fascinated by the growing process. She’s also fiercely proud seeing the final product.
A Fresh Fundraising Idea
I was really excited when I heard about Fresh from the Farm. With September being back-to-school time, this couldn’t be timelier. You know that soon fundraising events will be taking place, so I’m excited to spread the word about Fresh from the Farm. If you love the idea too, you can spread the word and perhaps even bring up the idea during a PTA meeting.
Instead of schools fundraising by selling chocolate or wrapping paper, it’s a program where fresh produce is sold, which benefits the school, children, local farmers and encourages more healthy eating! 
I remember being a kid and when fundraising time came around, I’d hit up all my aunts, uncles, grandparents, neighbours, and my parents’ officemates to buy whatever it was that we were selling for fundraising initiatives. There were chocolates, cards, Christmas ornaments, wrapping paper, spices, and various food items. I also remember all of those people smiling excitedly and happy to support us, yet in hindsight, they were probably reluctantly pulling out their wallets and ordering items they might not have necessarily needed or wanted. All in the name of supporting our school. While that is fine and dandy, what if your school could offer something to the community that they not only use on a daily basis, but could also help support the community at the same time?
Though I do like the occasional cookie dough fundraisers (okay, not gonna lie), I’m all for supporting our youth to fundraise in a healthier way!
What is Fresh from the Farm?
Fresh from the Farm is designed to provide healthy fundraising alternatives to schools by selling Ontario fruit and vegetables. This innovative approach encourages students to learn healthy eating habits. Since September 2013, 152 Ontario schools have successfully piloted Fresh from the Farm. In total, schools collectively distributed almost 130,000 kilograms of fresh, Ontario fruit and vegetables to Ontario families, raising more than $112,000 for school initiatives.
An additional $150,000 was returned to Ontario farmers. Fresh from the Farm supports the Ontario government’s local food strategy, Local Food Act, 2013, and the School Food and Beverage Policy.
Everybody wins!
• 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?
28 publicly-funded Ontario school boards are eligible to participate. Visit www.FreshfromFarm.ca/FAQ.aspx for details.
What is being sold?
Fresh, Ontario fruit and vegetables
• 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 enrols 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!” www.FreshfromFarm.ca/About.aspx
For more information • Call EatRight Ontario: 1-877-510-510-2 • Visit www.FreshfromFarm.ca • Email: contact@freshfromfarm.ca
Are there any schools fundraising near you? Would you like to organize your own Fresh from the Farm school fundraiser? The last day to enrol in the program is Oct. 9.
Disclosure – This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Food Bloggers of Canada and Fresh from the Farm. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own.
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What an awesome program1
What a wonderful program
that is a fabulous program my goodness! i had no idea there was anything like this out there. It’s fantastic
Interesting. Buying healthy food and raising funds for a school. Everyone wins. We don’t have one in our area too, but here’s hoping it comes soon.
That sounds like a great program
This is really a brilliant program! I’d much rather buy produce than chocolate. Thanks for sharing this, I’m not sure if there is anything like this in BC
Same here!! I’d rather buy fresh produce and support local farmers as well. Yes, this is in Ontario, but maybe you can get the ball rolling where you are if there isn’t something already in place!
This is an awesome program. I hope my son’s school adopts this program. 🙂
I think it’s awesome too! What a great idea for fundraising!
Wow this is wonderful!! I’m going to mention this to my daughter’s principal.. thanks so much!!
YES! PLEASE do, Darlene! That would be fabulous!
I really think this is a fabulous program! Our Parent Council would love to bring it to our school, but our area isn’t covered yet. Holding out hope for a Scarborough opening soon!
Fingers crossed that your area will be covered soon, Deborah! I think this is such an amazing fundraising initiative. It gives back in so many ways!