Maryland (MD)

Explore information on farm to school participation by Maryland (MD) school food authorities (SFAs) that responded to the Census and the schools and students they serve. Use the tools below to dig deeper into farm to school in Maryland.

State Profile for Maryland

Total School Food Authorities (SFAs)
48
Total Schools*
1,457
Total Students*
895,078
Farm to School Participation
85.4% (41)
of SFAs participating in SY 2022-23
*Total schools and total students taken from SFA reporting to FNS of schools and students participating in the National School Lunch Program.

Key Census Findings for Maryland

Dig in on how farm to school is being cultivated across Maryland.

Length of farm to school participation by SFAs in Maryland

Farm to school has been picking up momentum over the last 10 years. See how long SFAs in Maryland have been going local.

Percent of F2S SFAs Number of F2S SFAs
Less than 3 years
 
26.8%
11
3-5 years
 
29.3%
12
6-10 years
 
14.6%
6
More than 10 years
 
26.8%
11
971 schools

585,877 students in participating SFAs

Food tray

Farm to school participation in Maryland

Farm to school is growing in Maryland! Local food and agricultural education activities are showing up in the cafeteria, the classroom, and the garden. Check out how many schools and students are in SFAs that responded to the Census and do farm to school.
79.2%

38 SFAs

Apple cars

Maryland SFAs serving local food

Farm to school means more fresh, local food is on the menu. Across the country, SFAs report serving higher quality foods in school meals and increased student consumption of fruits and vegetables as outcomes of engaging in farm to school.

Child Nutrition Programs in Maryland using local food in school year 2022-2023

Nationally, a majority of farm to school SFAs have been serving local food in school meals and snacks. See how many SFAs in Maryland are leveraging local foods.

Percent of SFAs Number of SFAs
Use local foods in NSLP
 
79.2%
38
Use local foods in SBP
 
58.3%
28
Use local foods in the FFVP
 
22.9%
11
Use local foods in CACFP
 
22.9%
11
Use local foods in CACFP At-Risk
 
39.6%
19
Use local foods in SFSP/SSO
 
54.2%
26
62.5%

30 SFAs

Teacher with class

Maryland SFAs providing food, nutrition, or agricultural education

Farm to school activities include experiential learning in the classroom, in the garden, and on the farm. Maryland SFAs offer opportunities such as taste testing, school gardening, and farm field trips.
12.5%

6 SFAs

Vegetable garden

Maryland SFAs that have edible gardens

School gardens are becoming a popular outdoor extension of the classroom. Across the curriculum, school gardens can bring learning to life and produce food to serve in school meals.

Food and nutrition education in Maryland

Farm to school activities can include educational experiences in the classroom, the garden, and on the farm. See how SFAs in Maryland are bringing farm to school alive with hands-on learning.

Percent of SFAs Number of SFAs
Hold taste tests & cooking demos
 
25%
12
Use USDA Team Nutrition materials
 
4.2%
2
Hold student field trips to farms
 
18.8%
9
Have farmers visit
 
12.5%
6

Local foods served daily or weekly in meals or snacks

As farm to school has grown, so have the local options students enjoy at meal time. Many schools are serving fresh and local fruits, vegetables, dairy, proteins, or grains daily, a few times a week, or weekly. Schools meet federal nutritional standards and students get healthy, flavorful, options.

Percent of SFAs Number of SFAs
Serve local fruit at least weekly
 
52.1% 25
Serve local vegetables at least weekly
 
45.8% 22
Serve local milk at least weekly
 
72.9% 35
Serve other local dairy at least weekly
 
25% 12
Serve local protein at least weekly
 
14.6% 7
Serve local grains at least weekly
 
27.1% 13

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