Farm to School census results release

The 2023 Farm to School Census results have recently been released. Results come from 11,803 school food authorities (SFAs) in all 50 states.

The Farm to School Census surveyed School Food Authorities (SFAs) that participated in the National School Lunch Program in the fall of 2023. Surveys found that nearly three out of four (74%) SFAs nationwide did at least one farm to school activity during the 2022-2023 school year, a 14% increase from the 2019 Farm to School Census. Also, 81% of SFAs participating in farm to school programs served local foods weekly.

The Farm to School Census website is updated with 2023 Census results, the 2023 Census report, the full 2023 Census dataset, and a Data Explorer. The other resource available is the Farm to School Census Partner Resources webpage.

Missouri leads the region at 22% for SFAs using local foods in Summer Food Service Programs and Seamless Summer Options (SFSP/SSO).

Visit the National & State Data Workbook to see how Missouri ranks nationally in other key areas.

This week, USDA is celebrating National School Lunch Week; recognition of National Farm to School Month will continue throughout the month of October.