Connecting Across Regions: Highlights from the 2026 Midwest & Mountain Plains Farm to School Summit
This fall, state-level Farm to School leaders from 15 states gathered in Minnesota for a two-day summit, sponsored by Life Time Foundation. The Midwest & Mountain Plains Farm to School Summit brought together teams and over 40 school food professionals from across two major USDA regions to collaborate on the future of local food systems in our schools.
The Life Time Foundation's commitment to fostering healthy communities and strengthening local food systems made this event possible, creating the space for leaders to connect, learn, and build the regional partnerships that drive real change.
Why This Summit Matters
Across the Midwest and Mountain Plains, educators, farmers, nutritionists, and policymakers are working to strengthen local food economies while improving nutrition for millions of students. But the work happens in silos, state by state, often without the regional coordination that could amplify impact.
This summit changed that.
By bringing five representatives from each participating state, this summit created space for meaningful conversations about shared challenges, best practices, and opportunities for regional collaboration. When we work together across state lines, we build stronger systems.
What We Discussed
The two-day agenda was packed with sessions designed to move the needle on farm-to-school work. Leaders explored how to scale local procurement, navigate supply chain challenges, support school food leaders, and create systemic change through policy and partnerships.
One of the most valuable aspects was the opportunity to experience Farm to School in action. Minnesota hosts showcased real models and demonstrated how local sourcing can work at scale in school food service. More than 40 school nutrition professionals joined up to meet local growers and learn more about bringing locally grown food to students’ trays.
Thank you to our hosts:
Ferndale Market - a third generation turkey farm that raises free-range turkey.
Seeds Farm - a fresh, organic farm in Northfield, MN.
The Bigger Picture
This summit represents a shift in how we think about school nutrition. It's not just about what's on students' plates. It's about:
Supporting school food leaders with better tools, training, and networks
Improving ingredients by strengthening connections between farms and schools
Building regional capacity so no state works alone
Creating pathways for more students to experience fresher, locally sourced meals
Moving Forward
Summits are just the beginning. Real change happens when leaders return home with renewed energy, concrete partnerships, and actionable strategies. The connections made in Minnesota will likely spark new initiatives, collaborative problem-solving, and momentum across the region.
To the Farm to School leaders who made this summit possible: thank you for your commitment to feeding our students better and supporting the farmers and food leaders who make it happen.
The work continues, and it's stronger because we're doing it together.
