Barriers and Possible Facilitators to Participation in Farm to School Week.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate child nutrition directors’ (CNDs) Farm to School (F2S) Week participation. This cross-sectional, census survey was completed by CNDs working in Mississippi public school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic data and the barriers hindering F2S participation. Out of a total of 74 CNDs, 50 reported no participation in F2S Week 2012. Of the 24 CNDs that did report participating in F2S, the most frequently reported barrier for not participating in F2S or purchasing locally grown produce was a perceived lack of local food availability, mainly in terms of local food variety. When attempting to overcome barriers associated with purchasing locally grown produce, CNDs should seek out resources like Food Policy Councils or state affiliates of the National Farm to School Network.