About the New York Farm to School Institute
The New York Farm to School Institute is a 9-month professional development opportunity for food service staff, educators, administrators, and community partners in New York schools to develop and refine their Farm to School programs, and to help bring more New York grown food into the cafeteria and classroom. This ongoing training and educational program will assist participating schools in creating successful Farm to School programs and connecting with farmers. Upon completion of the Institute, schools become alumni members of a NY Farm to School Institute Network – continuing to share best practices and resources with others championing farm to school for years to come.
Our program offers a direct opportunity to improve the health of students and strengthen the agricultural economy by bringing farm fresh local foods into school cafeterias statewide.
Announcing 2026-27 Institute Pause
After seven successful years of holding the annual New York State Farm to School Institute and training more than 40 school teams across the state, the FINYS team at American Farmland Trust is taking an intentional pause in 2026 to reflect on the program's future and ensure it continues to meet the evolving needs of the farm to school community. This past year has brought challenges across the farm to school landscape, and we believe now is the right time to step back and reassess what the field needs most, what aspects of the Institute are most valuable, and how the program can continue to grow and evolve.
Our commitment to farm to school remains strong and our team will continue working to support and advance this important movement while we ensure our program is positioned to be as relevant, responsive, and impactful as possible when it returns. Please continue to visit our website for updates, including when our next cohort of the Institute will reopen for applications.
In 2026, our team will be engaging with stakeholders to gather feedback and ideas for strengthening the Institute. If you'd like to share your thoughts or if you have questions, please reach out to us at [email protected].
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Sample Schedule
A year of participation in the NYFTSI
See the schedule
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Testimonials
What past participants have to say about their experience
Read the testimonials
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Success Stories
What participating schools have accomplished
See the stories
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Past Participants
See the Map
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Informational Webinar
Watch the Informational Webinar
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FAQ
See the answers to common questions
Questions?
Contact the FINYS team at [email protected] or 518-581-0078 for additional information or further questions about FINYS or the NY Farm to School Institute.
The New York State Farm to School Institute is a project of Farm to Institution New York State (FINYS), an initiative led by American Farmland Trust.