Virginia Celebrates Farm to School Week and Tenth Annual Crunch, Announces Record Local Food Purchases

RICHMOND, VA. - The Virginia Department of Education, alongside the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, invites schools, community organizations, and farms across the Commonwealth to celebrate Virginia Farm to School Week, October 5-9, 2026. This year also marks the tenth annual Crunch Heard 'Round the Commonwealth on Thursday, October 8, where over 320,000 participants will bite into fresh, Virginia-grown apples to make noise for Virginia Farm to School programs.

As these events take place, Virginia is also celebrating historic levels of investment in local food purchases made by child nutrition programs. According to annual data collected by the Virginia Department of Education, school and community nutrition program operators procured local food exceeding $24.2 million during SY 2025-26, surpassing the Virginia Farm to School Strategic Plan goal of $24 million by SY 2026-27.

"Supporting local agriculture through our schools creates a win-win for Virginians," said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier. "It provides reliable markets for our farmers, ensures students have access to fresh, nutritious meals, and drives growth in our regional agricultural economies. When we feed our students Virginia-grown food, we strengthen our entire Commonwealth."

"A healthy meal at school is truly foundation to each student's success, and our Farm to School programs show what is possible when we connect that priority with the incredible resources we have right here in the Commonwealth," said Secretary of Education Dr. Jeffery Smith. "Surpassing our local food purchasing goal a year early means that more Virginia students are benefiting from fresh, locally grown food while learning about the farms and communities that help feed them."

"Virginia Farm to School Week is a celebration of the Commonwealth's investment in our students to provide nutrition and agriculture education alongside nutritious meals that incorporate food grown close to home," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jenna Conway. "These programs improve student health and engagement while teaching vital agriculture and environmental literacy. When students are well-nourished, they are ready to learn."

"This increased local procurement represents real progress toward increasing food access for every child in every community," said Sara Bennett, director of the VDOE Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs. "Even amidst shifting program landscapes and rising food costs, school and community nutrition program operators have demonstrated steadfast dedication by building direct, resilient relationships with producers, aggregators, and community organizations. By collaborating with a strong network of stakeholders across the Commonwealth, we are building a robust, sustainable food system that serves students, farmers, and families."

"Virginia's farms are actively looking for new markets, and it's clear that Virginia's child nutrition programs are a growing opportunity," said VDACS Commissioner Charles Green. We're excited to support this momentum and continue building connections between schools and farms."

Additional information about celebrating Virginia Farm to School Week, participating in the Crunch Heard 'Round the Commonwealth, and expanding farm to school programs can be found on the VDOE website.

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