Farm-to-school programs: perspectives of school food service professionals.
OBJECTIVE
This qualitative study used a case study approach to explore the potential of farm-to-school programs to simultaneously improve children's diets and provide farmers with viable market opportunities.


METHODS
Semistructured interviews were the primary data collection strategy.


METHODS
Seven farm-to-school programs in the Upper Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States.


METHODS
Seven school food service professionals, 7 farmers, and 4 food distributors recruited from 7 farm-to-school programs.


METHODS
Interviews probed why farmers, school food service professionals, and food distributors participate in farm-to-school programs and how they characterize the opportunities and challenges to local school food procurement.


METHODS
Data were analyzed using thematic coding and data displays.


RESULTS
School food service professionals described 3 motivators for buying locally grown food for their cafeterias: (1) "The students like it," (2) "The price is right," and (3) "We're helping our local farmer." Students' preference for locally grown food was related to food quality, influence of school staff, and relationships with farmers. Buying food directly from farmers and wholesalers was associated with lower prices and flexible specifications, and the "local feel."


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding school food service professionals' motivations for buying locally grown food is critical to the sustainability of farm-to-school programs.
Izumi
Betty T
BT
Michigan State University, USA. izumibet@pdx.edu
Alaimo
Katherine
K
Hamm
Michael W
MW
D000288:Administrative Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D005638:Fruit / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D014675:Vegetables / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution; D000078329:Workforce