Chris Yura, CEO of WV Harvest, recently took the stage at the USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum, participating in a panel discussion titled “Bringing the Farm to School: How Investments in Healthy School Meals Create Opportunities for Children, Producers, and Their Communities.”
Moderated by Julie Brewer, Director of the USDA’s Community Food Systems Division, the panel brought together leaders in farm-to-school programs to explore how strategic investments in school meals can strengthen local food systems, support farmers, and improve student nutrition.
Farm to School: A Solution for Rural and Underserved Communities
As a panelist, Yura shared how WV Harvest is using innovative food distribution models to ensure that West Virginia students have access to fresh, locally grown produce. With programs like WV Harvest Home, which utilizes school foodservice distribution routes to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables directly to families, Yura demonstrated how schools can be powerful hubs for community food access.
Joining Yura on the panel was Kanika Campbell, Maryland’s Farm to School Coordinator, who spoke about her state’s approach to connecting local farmers with school meal programs. The discussion highlighted the economic and nutritional benefits of farm-to-school initiatives, emphasizing the role that state agencies, schools, and local producers play in building stronger, healthier communities.
West Virginia’s Leadership in Farm to School Innovation
During the session, Yura detailed how WV Harvest works closely with nutrition directors, schools, and regional farmers to develop turnkey solutions that make local food more accessible. Through partnerships and initiatives like ThoughtFoodness, which provides educational resources, fun facts, and classroom materials about fresh produce, WV Harvest is proving that farm-to-school programs can be engaging, scalable, and impactful.
Yura also emphasized the importance of aligning food distribution with school infrastructure, making fresh, healthy food a convenient option for both students and their families. His message was clear: Investing in farm-to-school programs doesn’t just benefit students—it creates economic opportunities for local producers and strengthens entire communities.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Farm to School in West Virginia and Beyond
Chris Yura’s participation in the USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum reinforces West Virginia’s role as a leader in farm-to-school innovation. As policymakers and food system advocates continue to explore ways to improve school meals nationwide, WV Harvest stands as a model for how smart investments, local partnerships, and creative logistics can transform food access in rural areas.
