Indiana Grown for Schools Network

We love seeing Portage Township Schools dive into the Cucumber Craze. Their team is growing cucumbers, engaging students, and bringing learning to life with visits from Cucumber Carl all summer long. 🥒🌱

The 2026–27 Harvest of the Month calendar is here!

Each month features an Indiana‑grown product for schools to highlight through taste tests, classroom lessons, cafeteria promotions, and garden activities. Prefer different products? Our Harvest of the Month database offers year‑round resources, including standardized recipes, ECE–12th grade lesson plans, media items, and more.

Schools that register will receive a full set of printed posters (12 total—one for each month), available while supplies last. All additional materials will be available digitally.

Register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf22x2XZSb7KFogi-RMuEL6Q5r9GqvFfWgKlTHs0dsjDc7-Sg/viewform?pli=1

How fun is this — East Noble’s Summer Meal Program hosted Cucumber Craze Week, and Carl the Cucumber showed up with plants and growing instructions for families. Love seeing programs that keep kids fed, learning, and excited about fresh food.

Last week, our Farm to School Coordinator at the Indiana Department of Health, Brianna Goode, presented at the Indiana School Health Network Conference. She highlighted the vital role Health Champions play in advancing farm to school efforts and supporting healthier, more connected communities across Indiana.

Want to stay connected with Farm to School efforts across Indiana? The Indiana Grown for Schools Network newsletter is a great way to keep up with success stories, funding opportunities, upcoming events, and resources that support local food in schools.
If you haven’t already, you can check out the latest issue here:
https://view.subscription.in.gov/?vawpToken=ZECMZE5MI43UFOLW6D5Z45VFIY.130024

And be sure to sign up so you never miss an update:
https://cloud.subscription.in.gov/signup?depid=546006748&prefCode=F2S_1

Together, we’re strengthening Indiana’s local food system—one school at a time.

Excited to see how the children at Head Start will engage with the garden space. There’s nothing sweeter than watching little hands explore, learn, and grow right alongside the plants.

Community Garden Planting Day 2026 Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Fellowship helping Portage’s food service director stir up program Portage Township Schools Food Service Director Dawn Kelley had homework due on Friday. She’s one of 23 school food service professionals nationwide to have been granted a 2026 Healthy School Food Pathway fellowship through the Chef Ann F…

Pride Academy is sharing the love with families this summer! They sent home Garden Starter Kits filled with cucumber, corn, pea, tomato seeds and more. Families can start their plants now and watch them grow all summer long. With gardens at all three locations, Pride Academy has been growing food, composting, and running a veggie stand for 12 years. They even teach garden-based curriculum to their scholars! Lots of learning is blooming at Pride Academies across central Indiana.

Want your farm-to-ECE work highlighted? Email [email protected].

🌱 Applications are now open for the Farm to School Leadership Academy!

Educators, school nutrition leaders, and coordinators—this is your chance to join a powerful year-long community dedicated to transforming school food systems. Applications are due Monday, June 8, 2026.

Beginning in September 2026, the program includes in‑person gatherings in Vermont and Minnesota, paired with virtual sessions that support your farm to school efforts. Participants will explore transformational leadership, systems change, and practical tools, rooted in resilience, care, and community.

This national program is offered by the Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools in partnership with the National Farm to School Network, with support from the USDA. Build the strategies, skills, and connections you need to create healthier, more resilient school food systems.

➡️ Learn more and apply today!
https://shelburnefarms.org/educators/professional-learning/farm-school-leadership-academy

Farm to School Leadership Academy For leaders and aspiring leaders who are dedicated to food systems education and committed to healing these systems in schools and early childhood settings.

🍎 CACFP Farm to ECE & Culinary Training – Register Now!

This summer, IDOE is hosting a hands-on culinary training for child care centers participating in CACFP! Join us for a one-day, in-person session where a chef will lead cooking demos and interactive lessons using locally grown ingredients. You'll also learn how to bring Farm to ECE practices to your site.

Training Dates & Locations:
Tuesday, June 2 – Miami County YMCA, Peru
Wednesday, June 3 – New Hope for Families, Bloomington
Thursday, June 4 – Floyd County Head Start, New Albany

Perfect for food service directors, kitchen leads, cooks, and anyone interested in scratch cooking!

⏰ Time: 1–3:30 p.m. CT / 2–4:30 p.m. ET
📅 Registration closes: Friday, May 29
🔒 Capacity: 15 participants per site (waitlist available)
👉 Click here to register: https://idoe.jotformgov.com/261255116930048

Questions? Contact Molly Hayes ([email protected]) or Sophie Lindley ([email protected])