Branford Public Schools Wins $100,000 Food Vision Prize to Expand Farm-to-School Meals

From Branford Public Schools:

BRANFORD, CT — Branford Public Schools has been awarded a
$100,000 New England Food Vision Prize from the Henry P. Kendall Foundation to expand scratch cooking, improve students' access to fresh, locally grown food, and build a stronger connection between school cafeterias and regional farms.

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The Branford Local Food Capacity and Farm-to-School Initiative will fund two part-time school chef positions and three farm-to-school coordinator stipends over two years.

Additional kitchen capacity will help staff prepare more fresh ingredients, while coordinators will organize student
tastings, farm visits, farmer presentations, and classroom connections. Farm-to-school foods will be offered within regular school meals at no additional charge.

"This award will help us improve access to fresh, nutritious food for Branford children while building toward a dependable local farm supply chain," said Chief Operating Officer Blaize
Levitan, who led the district's grant application. "When schools become reliable customers, farmers can plan what to grow, and we can plan how to serve it. We're investing in the people and partnerships that can make that connection last."

Branford is already a leader in Connecticut's farm-to-school movement, ranking among the state's leading districts in the number of forward contracts with Connecticut farms.

These agreements establish purchasing commitments in advance, giving growers more predictable demand. Students are already seeing the results: all burgers served at Branford High School this school year are made with beef from Connell Farms.

The district aims to increase annual Connecticut and New England food purchases to approximately $51,000 by the end of the project, more than four times its baseline. Food purchases will continue through the existing Food Services budget, with grant funding supporting the staffing and coordination needed to prepare and serve more local food.

Existing relationships also include Cecarelli's Harrison Hill Farm in Northford, the Northwest Connecticut Food Hub, Massaro Community Farm, and H2O Farms.

"Healthy, appealing meals help students arrive in the classroom ready to learn," said Superintendent Dr. Christopher Tranberg. "This initiative also gives students opportunities to meet farmers, explore where their food comes from, and help shape what appears on their school menus."

Levitan will provide executive and fiscal oversight, with former popular local restauranteur and current Food Services Director Alfonso Iaderosa leading daily implementation alongside district staff, participating growers, and UConn Extension.

"This award reflects the Board's thoughtful planning and a clear focus on students," said Board of Education Chair Peter Berdon. "I appreciate Chris, Blaize, and our Food Services team for securing outside investment that builds on resources already in place and creates an opportunity for lasting improvement. What we feed our children is critical to their overall well-being."

The district will track local purchasing, student feedback, and meal participation throughout the project, using the results to guide future expansion and share lessons with other school
districts.

"This is a win for Branford's students and Connecticut's agricultural community," said First Selectman Joshua Brooks. "Connecting school meals with regional farms is a practical way to invest in children's well-being while supporting the businesses that grow our food."