Virginia Farm to Table
Strengthening Virginia’s Agricultural Economic Vitality and Community Viability From Farm-to-Table: A Virginia Food System Research and Extension Initiative.
Farm to Institution Initiative
VFSC has initiated an educational and networking campaign to encourage institutions across the state to make a commitment to increase their spending on Virginia grown produce by 10%.
$10 a Week Take the Pledge Campaign
In order to educate Virginians on the benefits of buying and eating Virginia-grown foods, we challenged Virginians to pledge to purchase $10 a week on local foods. Through continuous updating of our website and email distribution list, we are educating pledges on the broad-reaching benefits of eating, purchasing and selling foods close to home.
Food Security Summit
Strengthening Virginia’s agricultural economic vitality and community viability from Farm-to-Table: A Virginia Food System Council and Virginia Cooperative Extension Initiative.
Virginia Urban Agriculture Summit
Buy Fresh Buy Local
Co-hosted the National Gathering on September 15, 2010 at Virginia Beach.
Facilitate Development of Regional Food Councils
The Virginia Food System Council has created a Network Development Working Group to build relationships with other groups and organizations working within Virginia’s food system in order to support common goals, bridge gaps, better inform one another, and collaborate on projects and initiatives that advance a sustainable and just food system throughout the Commonwealth. If you wish to join this Network, have one of the VFSC directors speak to your group, or you just want to learn more, please contact email us, and we’ll get back to you. Are you looking for resources for developing your regional council? We are currently developing a toolkit; until published, start by browsing these resources. Or contact us at: info[at]virginiafoodsystemcouncil.org
Farm–to-School Projects
The VFSC supports sales of Virginia grown food to increase access to healthy local foods in our public school systems. The following is a list of recent accomplishments:
- Establishment of Virginia’s Annual Farm-to-School Week by working with Del. Ed Scott for a Joint Resolution, General Assembly, 2009.
- Co-hosted Washington D.C. School Food Service program and the D.C. Farm-to-School Network for farm visits, school meetings and tours in the Shenandoah Valley.
- Assisted the D.C. Farm-to-School Network and the Virginia Farm-to-School Work Group to source and procure local strawberries and romaine and bibb lettuces from the Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction for their June 2010 Strawberries & Salad Greens Festival.