SAN DIEGO–Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP) is one of 82 projects spanning 42 states and the Virgin Islands receiving support this year through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm to School Program, an effort to better connect school cafeterias and students with local farmers and ranchers.

USDA Farm to School grants help schools respond to the growing demand for locally sourced foods and increase market opportunities for producers and food businesses, including food processors, manufacturers, and distributors. CHIP, a San Diego County-based non-profit, received a $100,000 grant to support San Diego County school districts in sourcing more locally grown fruits and vegetables.

“USDA is proud to support communities across the country as they plan and implement innovative farm to school projects,” said USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “Community partners are coming together to ensure a bright and healthy future for students, and local farmers and ranchers. These inspiring collaborations create long-term benefits for students, as they develop a meaningful understanding of where food comes from, and support our farmers and ranchers by expanding market opportunities for local and regional foods.”

“CHIP has played a vital role in expanding farm to school practices across San Diego County and, ultimately, increasing children’s access to fresh, healthy foods in school,” said Fourth District County Supervisor Roberts, a longtime champion in San Diego County’s fight against childhood obesity. “We are delighted to see the work of CHIP recognized nationally. These funds will help continue this work and further establish our community as a leader in farm to school and childhood obesity prevention.”

USDA funds will be used to increase grower and district participation in farm to school and accelerate local efforts of the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative (COI), facilitated by CHIP. The COI’s San Diego County Farm to School Taskforce (F2S Taskforce)—a collaborative of 30+ growers, districts, and other key stakeholders working to increase consumption of local, healthy, seasonal foods and to improve food literacy—will serve as the main hub of grant activity. Through the F2S Taskforce, CHIP will promote collaborative activities that leverage the resources of its members, such as a shared calendar for marketing and purchasing local foods. CHIP will provide two districts with technical assistance in developing a three-year farm to school plan and engage 20 new local growers in farm to school activities. Furthermore, CHIP will roll out its third installment of the State of Farm to School in San Diego County Report, a comprehensive census of school food procurement and farm to school activity in San Diego County, and conduct the Let’s Go Local! Produce Showcase, the county’s premier local produce showcase, which connected approximately 100 produce buyers and sellers in 2014. For more information on the F2S Taskforce and its activities, click here.

“We are thrilled to be selected as a 2015 USDA Farm to School Grant recipient,” said JuliAnna Arnett, director of operations and food systems for the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative. “These funds provide us the opportunity to work with districts and growers countywide to increase the number of products sourced locally in schools. With San Diego County districts purchasing more than $65 million in food and serving over 300,000 school meals each year, the USDA support creates a major opportunity for improving the health of our children and enhancing the local economy.”

USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food. USDA’s Farm to School Program is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which authorized USDA to provide grants and technical assistance to help schools gain better access to local foods.