Missouri Grown
Who We Are and What We Do
Missouri Grown, a program of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, works with farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses to promote local products to local consumers. Our members showcase all aspects of Missouri agriculture, from vegetable farms and beef ranches to processed food producers. We promote Missouri products through a variety of efforts, all which fall within our five key elements: marketing, membership, farm to table, education/outreach and agritourism.
Farm to School
Farm to school (F2S) was initiated through legislation in 2015 and has been implemented throughout the state. The goal of F2S is to connect Missouri farmers and ranchers to schools and serve students and children locally grown products for meals and snacks. Large or small, each F2S activity has value and supports the health and well-being of students and teachers, as well as the livelihood of Missouri family farmers.
The Missouri Grown staff connects Missouri farmers and ranchers to consumers, chefs and food service personnel interested in participating.
Considering Farm to School
- Check with your current food distributor(s) to see what products they already carry from Missouri farms.
- Does your budget contain a line item for Missouri grown (local)
food purchases?
- If not, find out who has the authority to adjust the budget and work with them to get administrative approval.
- Look at your school’s policies/requirements about accepting a
new local vendor.
- Is Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) certification required?
- Does the vendor need liability insurance? If so, how much?
- Review procurement methods of micro purchases, small purchases (informal) and competitive bids (formal).
- Determine the cold storage and freezer capacity to help extend the life of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Implement a Farm to School Program
- Fill out the school portion of the Request for Information (RFI) document.
- Send the Letter to Local Vendor, RFI and the Farm Checklist to local farmers/vendors for them to review, fill out and send back by a certain date.
- Review the information and determine the farmers and vendors that could meet the needs of your school.
- Contact the farmers and vendors to do a site visit of the farm and review the information for accuracy.
- Agree to any terms and conditions and complete the Purchase Agreement.
Additional Farm to School Resources
Resources for Schools
- Missouri F2S Guide for School Food Nutrition Professionals
- Missouri F2S Guide for PreK-12 Educators
- Getting Started with F2S Gardens
- Procuring Local Foods Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
- Farm to Early Care and Education
- Best Practices- Handling Fresh Produce in Schools
- USDA Grants and Loans that Support Farm to School Activities
- Ag in the Classroom
- Ag Ed on the Move
- Kids Gardening
Resources for Farmers
- Missouri F2S Guide for Farmers, Ranchers, Growers, and Producers
- Tips for Farmers Selling to School Nutrition Programs
- Selling Local Food to Schools
General Resources
- Missouri Value-Added “Farm to Table” Grant Program
- Farm to School-Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
- Missouri Farm to School Report 2018-19
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Food Programs
- MO Beef for MO Kids
- National Farm to School Network
- USDA Community Food Systems
Farmers Markets
Senior & WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Programs
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
The Missouri Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides benefits to
low-income seniors (60 years of age or older). Eligible seniors receive $50 in
benefits annually per household, to be used for fresh fruit, vegetables, honey and
herbs with authorized farmers.
View the Seniors
FMNP flyer for details.
To see the Code of Federal Regulations, visit: Part 249—Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)
WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
The Missouri WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP) provides $30 in
benefits annually to WIC individuals over 4 months old who reside in a county with a
participating WIC agency issuing FMNP benefits. Benefits can be exchanged for fresh
fruit, vegetables and herbs with authorized farmers.
View the WIC FMNP
flyer for details.
To see the Code of Federal Regulations, visit: Part 248—WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
Becoming an Authorized Farmer
In 2024, authorized farmers made an average income of $760 from benefits with more than $250,000 of unredeemed benefits due to participants not finding an authorized farmer. New farmers to the program will need to watch the 1 hour pre-recorded training below and complete the quiz to become authorized to accept Senior & WIC FMNP benefits. Review the farmer requirements and watch the training presentation video.
For information on accepting SNAP, please visit the MarketLink website. A farmer and farmers market accepting SNAP will also be able to accept Double Up Food Bucks.