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.

Regional Farm to School Coordinators

Connecticut's Regional Farm to School Coordinators help bring farm to school to life in local communities. They offer local support, connect schools with farmers and resources, and help build strong, sustainable programs that get children excited about healthy, local food. With deep roots in their regions, these Regional Coordinators are the go-to partners for growing farm to school efforts across Connecticut.

Support Provided by Regional Farm to School Coordinators 

  • Coaching and resources to help integrate local foods in menus and market local foods on the serving lines.
  • Providing demonstrations of high-impact farm to school strategies activities like leading a taste test.
  • Identifying local farmers and food hubs to develop purchasing relationships and supporting communication with these businesses.
  • Utilizing local food incentive funds to reduce the cost of purchases from farmers and food hubs.
  • Using forward contracts to make longer term, sustainable purchasing relationships with farmers and food hubs.
  • Hosting workshops for school nutrition directors and cafeteria staff on topics including easy local food preparation and showcasing local foods on the serving lines.
  • Identifying resources to support district-wide farm to school goals across the cafeteria, classroom, and community.
  • Supporting schoolwide events that highlight farm to school efforts including planning and attending.
  • Identifying funding opportunities for farm to school activities.
  • Connecting district stakeholders to the broader community in farm to school efforts.

Quotes from SFAs About Working with Regional Farm to School Coordinators 

  • The training I attended by the Regional Coordinator was very educational and helpful in learning more efficient ways to prepare local foods for our students.
    CT FRESH Ed Back to School Workshop Participant 
  • Thank you so much for all your help. This is a great program, and I have learned so much. I already started to research more local and sustainable items for school.
    Mike Rossi, Lisbon Public Schools