Farm to School Road Trip: Connecting Schools to Local Fruit, Produce and Food BACKGROUND: Farm to School initiatives are being developed across the country to encourage local school systems to utilize local foods in their school lunch programs and special meal events. Since 2011, OSU Extension in Trumbull County has been helping to make this community connection a reality through a local foods initiative. PROGRAMS: During , an annual Farm to School program has been offered to encourage school systems to utilize local foods in their lunch and special meals programs. In 2011, a day conference was held to teach the benefits of using local foods and how schools can connect to local producers. In 2012 & 2013, a bus trip was held to help connect schools to local fruits, produce and food. During these day long trips, attendees were able to visit local farms, make connections for purchases, and taste what is available. These road trips were attended by teachers, food service personnel, administrators, and school board members. These events were funded in part by a Creating Communities grant from the Trumbull County Health Department.. PROGRAM AGENDAS: IMPACT:  The attendees of the programs reported a large increase (over 2.00 gain on 5 point scale) in their knowledge of the benefits of using local foods in the school lunch program, how to access and purchase local foods, and how to develop purchasing contracts with local farms.  Program evaluations led to additional workshops being held on Good Agricultural Practices, Cottage Food Products, and Food Safety Regulations.  A Farm to School Bus Trip was developed for 110 Lakeside 9 th graders in  These programs also demonstrate how the Extension program areas of Agriculture & Natural Resources and Family & Consumer Sciences can work together in expanding the use of local foods in their communities. REACTIONS: One participant remarked, “I was shocked to learn how readily available fruits & vegetables are.” Another stated, “It can be fairly easy to find locally sourced foods to serve in the schools and it is okay to start small. While another said, “I learned the benefits of local foods for health, wellness, and the local economy. For more information, please contact David Marrison Marie Economos OSU EXTENSION CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information: Marrison, David L., Economos, Marie, & Melliron, Mel 2011 Over 60 local farmers, food service coordinators, school administration and school board members attended the “Bridging the Gap from Farm to School for Local Foods” held on March 4, Tom Freitas, Dining Services Supervisor, Sandusky City Schools and Brad Kraft, Food Service Director, Ehove Career Center explained how their school systems are purchasing local foods to improve their school lunch programs Twenty-nine decision makers from nine school districts participated in the day-long bus trip held on August 1, The 100 mile bus trip highlighted some of the farm operations who are willing and able to source local foods to the schools. During the day we toured the following operations: Geauga Growers Association Auction, Middlefield Original Cheese, Miller’s Livestock Company, Lutz Farm, and the Warren City Victory Garden Thirty-six persons attended the day-long bus trip held on July 31, This 125 mile bus trip highlighted the following operations. Geauga Growers Association Auction, Covered Bridge Gardens, Field Fresh Farm, Farm 153, and True Earth Organics. PROGRAM RESULTS: