Connecticut State Department of Education

Teacher of the Year Ceremony
Due to inclement weather, the Teacher of the Year Ceremony has been postponed to December 16, 2025 from 5-7pm. Doors will open at 4pm. The Ceremony will take place at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford, and the order of events will remain the same.

CSDE CT Farm Fresh Logo

CT Fresh Ed
(Farm to School)

The Farm to School Program involves a variety of school experiences and programs about gardening, educating children about nutrition, and purchasing fresh, locally grown farm products. Farm to school connects schools (K-12) and local farms with the objectives of:

  • serving healthy meals in school cafeterias;
  • improving student nutrition;
  • providing agriculture, health, and nutrition education opportunities; and
  • supporting local and regional farmers.

The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has adopted a strategic, systems-level approach to Farm to School through the rebranded initiative known as CT Fresh Ed—Connecticut Farm to School Resources for Education, Sustainability, and Health. Rather than treating Farm to School as a standalone initiative, CT Fresh Ed is now embedded as a core practice within school nutrition program operations. This intentional paradigm shift positions Farm to School as an essential strategy in how school food authorities (SFAs) procure, prepare, and serve meals. The result is that locally sourced, fresh foods become a consistent part of students’ daily school experience, reinforcing both health and sustainability while supporting Connecticut’s agricultural economy.

At the heart of CT Fresh Ed is a commitment to advancing the 3 Cs of Farm to School:

  • Cafeteria – Supporting schools in sourcing and serving local foods through sustainable procurement practices, menu development, and training for food service staff.
  • Classroom – Encouraging nutrition and agriculture education through hands-on learning experiences, such as school gardens, taste tests, and integration of food systems education into curriculum.
  • Community – Strengthening connections between schools and local farmers, food producers, families, and community partners to build a resilient local food system and foster long-term support for Farm to School practices.

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DOAG) works with state agencies such as the Connecticut Department of Education (CSDE) to implement Connecticut’s Farm-to-School Program.