[LIBERTY, NY] – Sullivan 180 participated in the 2024 New York State Farm to School Summit held on November 21 and 22 at The Oncenter in Syracuse, NY. This premier event brought together stakeholders dedicated to advancing farm-to-school initiatives, supporting local agriculture, and promoting healthier food systems in schools.

Members of the Sullivan 180 team joined fellow educators, policymakers, and advocates to exchange insights, explore partnerships, and learn strategies to enhance local food sourcing in schools. Keynote speaker,  Dr. Jennifer Gaddis, author of The Labor of Lunch and Transforming School Food Politics around the World, highlighted the often-overlooked history of U.S. school food systems. She explored how early 20th-century visionaries saw school lunches as opportunities for community care, quality employment, and hands-on learning, while also discussing current efforts to fulfill that vision.

Staff enjoyed participating in additional sessions on agricultural clubs in elementary schools, promoting Farm to School initiatives to school administrators and officials, and including local foods in scratch cooking and its impacts on education.

“We are thrilled to be one of multiple partners who are collaborating with Sullivan County Schools to expand access to fresh, local foods. The NYS Farm to School Summit will assist us in achieving our goal of two healthy, hearty, free meals each day for our students,” said Meaghan Mullally-Gorr, Director of Health & Wellness at Sullivan 180. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to fostering healthier, more sustainable food systems while empowering students to make informed choices about their nutrition.”

“I am looking forward to bringing some of the ideas that I have heard here at the conference back to Sullivan County schools, specifically a Farm to School Volunteer Ambassador Program, and continuing to support building principals, staff, students, superintendents, boards of education, and the larger community on farm to school efforts,” said Christy TerBush, Healthier Generation Program Manager at Sullivan 180.

If you are interested in supporting farm to school efforts in your community, reach out to Sullivan 180 or your school district’s Wellness Coordinator.