RRRC Conducting Farm to School Gap Analysis Survey
By: Michelle Edwards, Director of Regional Planning, Rappahannock - Rapidan Regional Commission
The Rappahannock - Rapidan Regional Commission (RRRC) is conducting a survey of local farmers, aggregators, and processors as part of a farm to school gap analysis. The survey collects basic information from local food producers regarding business capacity, challenges and needs, whether or not the producer is currently selling to schools, and interest in doing so. The survey is focused on Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, Rappahannock, and nearby counties, but is not exclusive to those localities. Local school districts in the region have also been surveyed. The results of the school and producer surveys will be compared to identify obstacles to farm to school programs, as well as potential solutions. Additionally, responses will be used to develop a farmer/producer directory for local schools, if the producer chooses to opt - in. Ultimately, the goal is to increase schools' local food procurement -- a win - win for our region's kids and producers. The deadline to respond is March 15. For further information, contact Michelle Edwards at medwards@rrregion.org. This effort has been made possible with funding from the US Department of Agriculture's Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, and is being conducted in partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Carver Food Enterprise Center.
Page 27 | February 2025
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