Just in time for Farm to School Month, the Turlock Unified School District is inviting community members to its third annual Farm to School Expo, where they’ll have an opportunity to tour the district’s central kitchen, take home fresh fruit and vegetables and learn about eating healthy and local, amongst  other activities.

The Farm to School Expo takes place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the TUSD Child Nutrition Education Center, 1901 Auto Mall Dr. 

According to the district, the event will feature displays and activities that showcase how the district integrates local produce into the school programs promoting healthy eating and community connections. 

“TUSD Child Nutrition has been recognized for decades due to its prioritized innovative, balanced, ‘Real Fresh’ school meals for scholars. It’s a great opportunity to see our farm to school initiatives in action and engage with the partners who make it possible,” a district press release stated.

The event is in partnership with the Center for Ecoliteracy’s California Food for California Kids Network, which supports and encourages schools to serve more fresh and local school meals and provide food education for students. This month marks the 10th year of the network, which has grown to over 140 school districts serving 2.3 million students throughout the state. 

California was the first state in the nation to provide all transitional kindergarten to 12th-grade public school students with universal school meals, guaranteeing free school breakfast and lunch for all students, regardless of socioeconomic status. 

“With this progress, it is more important than ever that school districts prioritize relationships with California farmers, source local fruits and vegetables, and prepare delicious meals that students love.”