Farm to School Spotlights

School meals can change the way students eat in a positive way for the rest of their lives. We work with educators and staff to build local sourcing programs and host farm to school activities on campus. These profiles offer an inside look at how our most dedicated partners are instilling good habits, values, and a sense of place through local food.

Stories & Photos by Blake Lineweaver—Cooperative Outreach Coordinator, Mission West Community Development Partners


Hamilton, MT

Fresh Perspectives with Hamilton’s Farm to School Team

How a local farmer and school board member launched a campaign to assemble a farm to school dream team.

Whitefish, MT

Setting the Standard: Farm to School in Whitefish

This district’s farm to school champion brings hands-on learning to campus and scratch cooking to the kitchen.

Ronan, MT

Rural Chef and School Food Extraordinaire in Ronan

An experienced chef makes local sourcing and scratch cooking work at scale.

Gardiner, MT

Farm to School Cooperation in Gardiner: A Rural Success Story

Building farm to school culture from the ground up through cooperation, storytelling, and celebration.

Hardin, MT

Three C’s of Farm to School in Hardin: Cafeteria, Classroom, and Community

Experiential learning and fresh, local food drive this district’s ambitious approach to farm to school education.