The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, is forming a coalition of culinary experts, chefs, farmers, food advocates, and policymakers to promote the need for free, accessible, regeneratively-grown school lunches for children nationwide. This initiative coincides with October’s National Farm to School Month, during which The Henry Ford will launch the “Farm to School Lunch Across America” program.
This nearly 100-year-old institution emphasizes the importance of farm-fresh, local, and seasonal food. According to Spence Medford, Senior Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer, the coalition aims to enhance the national conversation about the necessity of providing free, regeneratively grown lunches while highlighting the positive environmental impact of sustainable farming practices.
The Farm to School Lunch Across America program, partially funded by Ford Philanthropy, will showcase schools excelling in farm-to-school initiatives. Each participating school will host a lunch featuring meals prepared by local farmers and chefs, adhering to a “from soil to plate” philosophy.
The program will reach seven schools in six cities across the United States, starting with Henry Ford Academy in Dearborn, Michigan, on October 1. Other participating schools include The Mixter Institute for Transition in Lincoln Park, Michigan (October 4); The Academy for Global Citizenship in Chicago, Illinois (October 8); William Ray Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois (October 9); Minneapolis School District in Minneapolis, Minnesota (October 10); Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, California (October 28); and Michelle Obama Middle School in Richmond, California (October 29).
The announcement of Farm to School Lunch Across America was made as a Commitment to Action at the 2024 Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting.