Island Grown Schools is the Vineyard’s farm-to-school program. We seek to raise a new generation of Vineyarders who are connected to local farms and farmers, empowered to make healthy eating choices, informed about the food system, and engaged in growing food for themselves, their families and community.

Local food in our schools also helps our children grow up with healthier eating habits, healthier bodies, and the ability to shine in the classroom. Studies show that when kids participate in farm to school programs and eat more fresh foods in the cafeteria, they are better able to focus in class, feel better about their school experience, and perform up to 70% better on standardized tests. Students in programs like ours also end up influencing their families eating and buying habits, creating an over-all healthier community that understands the importance of supporting fresh food that is grown close to home.