Blog | Arizona Farm To School Network

FEBRUARY: Broccoli Rabe

Arizona Local Food Feature Locate: Broccoli rabe is a brassica that can be found in grocery stores and farmer's markets. Seeds can also be purchased through Native Seed Search . Nutrition Components: Vitamin A, C, K, potassium, calcium, and iron Recipe: Rapini (broccoli rabe) Soup 1 bunch broccoli rabe, chopped 1 tbsp olive oil 1/2 onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 lb or 1 can of white beans 4 C vegetable broth S+P to taste Directions: Saute onion and garlic until so

Feb 181 min read

February 2026 School Garden + Education Recap

Community of Practice Welcome to the recap of our February SG+E Community of Practice where we discussed seasonality and how to apply that to your school garden! Resources: February Slide Deck February Planting List: kale, spinach, peas, carrots, swiss chard, broccoli, beets, nightshade starts, malabar spinach, nasturtiums Native Seed Search Today's Session Highlights: planning school garden culinary activities determining which recipe works for your site from tools to table

Feb 181 min read

February 2026 Local Food in Schools Recap

Community of Practice Welcome to the recap of our February LFS Community of Practice! Today's Session Highlights: explored the ADE Farm Fresh Challenge and shared strategies for launching a local procurement project, including how to identify key partners and resources to support your farm-to-school goals making the most of funding for local food; Try It Local Funding there is still $1.8mil remaining to spend before June 30th 2026 ! exploring seasonable options on the DoD ca

Feb 181 min read

January 2026 School Garden + Education Recap

Community of Practice Welcome to the recap of our January SG+E Community of Practice where we discussed seasonality and how to apply that to your school garden! Objectives: Participants will... ... determine what to grow on their campus and with the tools they currently have ... understand seasonality and how to set up for success in their school garden Resources: January Slide Deck January Planting List: kale, spinach, peas, carrots, swiss chard, broccoli Native Seed Sear

Feb 181 min read

January 2026 Local Food in Schools Recap

Community of Practice Welcome to the recap of our January LFS Community of Practice! Today's Session Highlights: explored the ADE Farm Fresh Challenge and shared strategies for launching a local procurement project, including how to identify key partners and resources to support your farm-to-school goals discussed ways to promote the Farm Fresh Challenge and utilizing local produce on your campus welcomed everyone back for the first session of the year! Special Thanks: Our pa

Feb 181 min read

JANUARY: Citrus

Arizona Local Food Feature Farm: You can find locally sourced citrus throughout the state and a crop the Arizona is known for! Here are a couple of farms growing citrus: Agritopia Farms in Gilbert, AZ Justice Brothers Ranch in Waddell, AZ Nutrition Components: Vitamin C, potassium, and fiber Recipe: Any Citrus Marmalade 4 C citrus peel, cut into thin strips 4 C citrus pulp, chopped 3 C sugar Pinch of salt Directions: Boil peel with 6 cups of water for 5 minutes, drain and

Feb 41 min read

December: Daikon Radish

Arizona Local Food Feature Farm: These purple daikon come from Aguiar Farms in Prescott . They are also sourced through Pivot Produce . You may find the more common white daikon radish at your local market. Nutrition Components: Vitamin C, which supports healthy blood vessels, skin, and collagen production. Recipe: Daikon Citrus Salad 1 C peeled, julienned daikon 1 orange, or sweet citrus of your choice, segmented 1 tbs chopped mint, cilantro, or experiment herbs you have i

Dec 17, 20251 min read

10/08 School Garden + Education Recap

Community of Practice Welcome to the recap of our October SG+E Community of Practice! Objectives: Participants will... ... determine what to grow on their campus and with the tools they currently have ... establish connections between the school garden and classroom Upcoming Topics and Dates November 12th: Harvesting Best Practices December 10th: School Garden Recipes and Tastings Access the slide deck here! Access the agenda here!

Nov 4, 20251 min read

10/01 Local Food in Schools Recap

Community of Practice Welcome to the recap of our October LFS Community of Practice! Today's Session Highlights: explored the ADE Farm Fresh Challenge and shared strategies for launching a local procurement project, including how to identify key partners and resources to support your farm-to-school goals how and why to choose local foods for your school along with tips to move through the procurement process additional resources, including an example of local food procurement

Nov 4, 20251 min read

NOVEMBER: Magdalena Acelgas, Chard

Arizona Local Food Feature Farm: You might notice these or another chard varietal at your local farmer's market and you can also buy seeds here. Nutrition Components: Vitamin A, K & C and Minerals Magnesium, Potassium, & Manganese Recipe: Crunchy Chard Chips 1 bunch acelgas or chard, stems removed 1 TBS olive oil ½ tsp sea salt Optional: nutritional yeast, or your choice seasonings and herbs from the garden! Directions: Preheat oven to 300°F. Tear chard leaves into chip-si

Nov 3, 20251 min read

OCTOBER: Chiltipin

Arizona Local Food Feature Farm: You might notice these at your local farmer's market and you can also buy seeds here. Nutrition Components: Vitamin A & C Recipe: Crushed Preserved Chiltipins Use care when harvesting these spicy peppers! You can let them air-dry and then grind them to add to salsa, mole, pesto, chili, and more! These peppers can also dry on the plant and then harvested as well. Flavor Profile: spicy Classroom Activity Suggestion: As a defense mechanism, chil

Oct 6, 20251 min read