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School Gardens: Frequently-Asked Questions
Answers to the following questions were provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Pennsylvania Department of Education. These answers apply in Pennsylvania:
- Can fruit and vegetables from the school garden be processed (e.g. washed, blanched, and/or bagged) by students, such as in a Family and Consumer Science classroom, and delivered to the school foodservice area for school foodservice employees to cook and serve in school meals?
No. All of the processing for school food service must occur in the approved, inspected school foodservice kitchen. However, the raw fruit and vegetables could come directly from the garden into the school kitchen to be processed. (Corn can be husked off site since that is not considered processing. Produce can also be field washed before being brought into the school foodservice facility as long as the water is potable and safe.)
- Can students or parent volunteers help wash, cut, blanch, and package the garden produce in the school foodservice kitchen to be used in school meals?
Yes. Students or parent volunteers could help with this processing but they would be looked upon as foodservice employees and would therefore have to comply with all codes (e.g. hair restraints, handwashing, etc.). A school foodservice employee must be present to oversee the activities.
- Can school garden produce be brought into the school foodservice facility and be blanched and frozen for future use as part of school meals?
Fresh produce can be cooked or blanched in the school foodservice facility, frozen, and then reheated for use in school meals. However, canning of low acid foods is not permitted. Canning of acidified food (i.e. pickled beets, chow chow, etc.) is only allowed if done under inspection by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. If vacuum-packaging is being considered, a procedure and HACCP plan must first be approved. If you are considering canning or vacuum packaging, you must contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Division of Food Safety prior to beginning that process.
- Can students process and prepare school garden produce and eat this in their classroom (e.g. Family and Consumer Science Class)?
Yes. Classrooms are not regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Division of Food Safety. However, it is recommended that proper food safety procedures be followed in the classroom.
- Are there liability issues related to students eating food grown in a school garden?
Using safe practices in the school garden, classroom, and cafeteria, as well as following state and local food safety regulations will help minimize risk. An individual with food safety certification should supervise students, parents, and staff who participate in food preparation. It is often also recommended that the school have appropriate liability coverage. Check with your school legal department about your specific situation and food liability coverage needs.
School Garden and Classroom Food Safety
The following resources are found at
https://theicn.org/icn-resources-a-z/produce-safety/.
• Food Safety Tips for School Gardens.
• Handling Fresh Produce in Classrooms.School Meal Food Safety
SeeBest Practices for Handling Fresh Produce in Schools.Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) →
PA Department of Agriculture Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services Regional Offices.
The following questions and answers are from USDA Memo SP-32-2009.
