Illinois Farm to School Network

Illinois Farm to School Network Farm to school means kids win, communities win, and farmers win! Join the movement. Led by non-profit Seven Generations Ahead. What is farm to school?

Farm to School is more than a program – it is a people-powered movement that seeks to teach students where food comes from and how delicious it can taste when eaten in season. There are three basic elements to farm to school:

Local food procurement
School gardensNFSN Illinois
Food and nutrition education (including farm field trips)

A farm to school program can consist of one, some, or all of th

ese types of projects. We find that starting a school garden, for example, can lead a school to thinking about where the food being served in the cafeteria is coming from. This can lead to local food procurement and incorporating food education into curricula.

Where did strawberries come from?Before there were fields of strawberries stretching across Europe, there were forest fl...
05/29/2026

Where did strawberries come from?
Before there were fields of strawberries stretching across Europe, there were forest floors. The oldest strawberry species eaten by people in Europe is the woodland strawberry, or Fragaria vesca. Found across much of the continent, especially in central and northern regions, these small, heart-shaped berries were prized in Roman times for their scent and medicinal properties rather than their size or sweetness.

It's Fun Fact Friday and today it's all about peas! Peas are delicious and can sprout within 4 days of planting. Try thi...
05/16/2026

It's Fun Fact Friday and today it's all about peas! Peas are delicious and can sprout within 4 days of planting. Try this fun activity at home with your kids.
Living Necklace Activity Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare a Bag: Place a wet cotton ball in the bottom of the small plastic bag- the ideal size is a 1.5x3 inch zip lock).
To Moisten: Be sure to soak the cotton ball, ensuring it is damp but not dripping with excess water.
Place the Seed: Place 1–2 large type seeds (pea, etc.) on top of the wet cotton.
Seal and Punch: Seal the plastic bag, then punch a hole at the top for the necklace.
Add String or Yarn: Thread the yarn through the hole and tie the ends together to make a necklace.
Wear and Monitor: Children can wear the necklaces under their shirts to use their skin warmth for rapid germination.
Germination: Within 3–5 days, the seed will swell, sprout roots, and develop leaves.

There's been some crazy lore passed down concerning cucumbers. Mystifying a veggie or a fruit appeared to be popular thr...
05/08/2026

There's been some crazy lore passed down concerning cucumbers. Mystifying a veggie or a fruit appeared to be popular throughout history. Today cucumbers are known for their crunch in summer salads and wraps.

Did you know Rhubarb is really a vegetable? Many fruits and vegetables have swapped categories for political reasons, bu...
05/01/2026

Did you know Rhubarb is really a vegetable? Many fruits and vegetables have swapped categories for political reasons, but rhubarb has remained largely under the radar.

Today's Fun Fact Friday is all about the Radish! Did you know that hundreds of radish varieties are grown in the US, cat...
04/17/2026

Today's Fun Fact Friday is all about the Radish! Did you know that hundreds of radish varieties are grown in the US, categorized into spring, winter, and all-season types, with over 100 popular types often found in gardens? The most common commercial variety is the small, red-skinned round radish, alongside popular cultivars like Cherry Belle, French Breakfast, Daikon, and Easter Egg. Check out the Radish comparison chart attached to this email for more information.

Why is it called a salad?The word "salad" itself has roots in the Old French word "salade," meaning "cut up herbs," whic...
04/10/2026

Why is it called a salad?
The word "salad" itself has roots in the Old French word "salade," meaning "cut up herbs," which in turn comes from the Latin word "sal," meaning "salt".
The earliest evidence of salads dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, around 4,000 years ago, where people combined lettuce, cucumber, and onion with vinegar, oil, and spices.
This tradition continued and evolved in other ancient societies, with the Greeks and Romans known for their mixed greens with salt, oil, and vinegar.

If Popeye liked escargot instead of spinach, what would his name be? Popeye the Snailorman!Food history is a fun way to ...
03/27/2026

If Popeye liked escargot instead of spinach, what would his name be? Popeye the Snailorman!
Food history is a fun way to share knowledge about healthy food. Ten years after a decrease in spinach consumption a cartoon was created making spinach popular once again. Who knew that a cartoon could influence eaters in the U.S.? Food history in action!

It's garden season in Illinois and this is one hard-workin group!What is your group doing this spring?
03/26/2026

It's garden season in Illinois and this is one hard-workin group!
What is your group doing this spring?

Address

PO Box 3125
Oak Park, IL
60303

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

(708) 628-4503

Website

https://harvestillinois.org/

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