BINGHAMTON, NY (607NewsNow) – Students in the Southern Tier will get access to better food. 

 Broome-Tioga BOCES is expanding its Farm to School Program thanks to $533,000 in federal and state funding.

The Farm to School Program is a partnership among Broome-Tioga BOCES Nutrition Services, Rural Health Network of South Central New York, and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County. The group works to strengthen connections among schools, farmers, and community partners, while increasing access to healthier foods.

“These grants will help us bring more fresh, locally grown food to students while supporting the farmers and producers in our own communities,” said Annie Hudock, Director of School Nutrition Services at Broome-Tioga BOCES. “We’re not just improving school meals; we’re creating opportunities for students to discover where their food comes from, try new foods, and develop healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime.”

The money comes from both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. Through the Farm to School Program, it will help 15 districts serve local, fresh foods in school cafeterias to over 30,000 students in Broome and Tioga Counties. Read more from Broome-Tioga BOCES here. 

In related news, the Ithaca City School District recently joined a similar food network in Tompkins County.