Washington (WA)

Explore information on farm to school participation by Washington (WA) 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 Washington.

State Profile for Washington

Census Responses for Washington

Total number of responding School Food Authorities (SFAs)
224
Total number of schools in responding SFAs
1,367
Total number of students in responding SFAs
735,045
Farm to School Participation
67.9% (152)
of SFAs participating in SY2018-2019

Key Census Findings for Washington

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

Length of farm to school participation by SFAs in Washington

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

Percent of F2S SFAs Total F2S SFAs
Less than 3 years
 
53.3%
81
3-5 years
 
23%
35
6-10 years
 
14.5%
22
More than 10 years
 
9.2%
14
1,098 schools

602,181 students in participating SFAs

Food tray

Farm to school participation in Washington

Farm to school is growing in Washington! 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 served by farm to school SFAs.
76.3%

116 SFAs

Apple cars

Washington SFAs serving local food

Farm to school means more fresh, local food is on the menu. Across the country, SFAs engaged in farm to school report serving higher quality foods in school meals and increased participation in school meals.

Child Nutrition Programs in Washington using local food in school year 2018-2019

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

Percent of F2S SFAs in Program Total F2S SFAs
Use local foods in NSLP
 
73%
111
Use local foods in SBP
 
72.5%
103
Use local foods in the FFVP
 
81.8%
36
Use local foods in CACFP
 
82.2%
37
Use local foods in CACFP At-Risk
 
82.4%
28
Use local foods in SFSP/SSO
 
81.5%
53
50.7%

77 SFAs

Teacher with class

Washington SFAs providing food, nutrition, or agricultural education

Farm to school activities include experiential learning in the classroom, in the garden, and on the farm. Washington SFAs offer opportunities such as taste testing, school gardening, and farm field trips.
36.8%

56 SFAs

Vegetable garden

Washington 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 Washington

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

Percent of F2S SFAs Total F2S SFAs
Hold taste tests & cooking demos
 
26.3%
40
Use USDA Team Nutrition materials
 
7.2%
11
Use educational edible school garden
 
14.5%
22
Hold student field trips to farms
 
21.1%
32
Have Farmers Visit
 
14.5%
22
Do farm to school activities in pre-K
 
11.8%
18

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 F2S SFAs Total F2S SFAs
Serve local fruit at least weekly
 
73% 111
Serve local vegetables at least weekly
 
62.5% 95
Serve local milk at least weekly
 
65.8% 100
Serve other local dairy at least weekly
 
26.3% 40
Serve local protein at least weekly
 
17.1% 26
Serve local grains at least weekly
 
24.3% 37

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