SAMPLE LETTER TO PARENTS INTRODUCING FRESH FROM THE FARM

Welcome Back to another exciting year at (name of school)!

We are excited to tell you about this year’s healthy fundraiser, Fresh from the Farm; not only profitable, but also educational. Starting (insert date) students will begin to raise funds by selling Ontario fruit and vegetables.Visit the website to see ‘a typical delivery day ’at:

To give you a little bit of backgroundon Fresh from the Farm, let’s look at the facts:

  • Students will be selling Ontario fruit (Empire apples) and vegetables (carrots, potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes) directly from Ontario farmers to our community.
  • Bundle A: 3 lb carrots, 3 lb onions, 5 lb potatoes, 3 lb sweet potatoes for $10.00
  • Bundle B: 8 lb box of Empire apples for $15.00
  • 40% of all sales go directly to the school (e.g., 400 bundles of root vegetables and 150 boxes of apples can make our school a profit of $2440)!
  • The fundraising period is scheduled from Sept 8th to Oct15th(or insert otherdate). The total school order must be submitted by October 16th, so we would like all orders in by: (insert your date).
  • The program provides the bags – we just need to supply a delivery space (usually the gym) and some willing volunteers on the delivery and pick-up day (same day).
  • Fresh from the Farm aligns with Ontario’s School Food and Beverage Policy.
  • It provides opportunities for introducing the related topics of agriculture, food and healthy eating into the classroom.
  • Fresh from the Farm raises awareness about the important role good nutrition plays in the development and well-being of children and youth.

We really appreciate your assistance supporting your children with this healthy initiative. As well, we will need some parent volunteers to come to the school on the delivery day – early in November – to help us ‘bundle’ the packages for pick-up. Please let us know if you would be interested!

Fresh from the Farm is a collaborative initiative between: Dietitians of Canada, Ministry of Education, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable’ Growers Association and Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs/Foodland Ontario. They have provided an excellent resource page for educator. Resources and recipes can be found at: and

If you have furtherquestions on Fresh from the Farm,please phone: EatRight Ontario1-877-510-510-2 or email:

Thank you for your support with this amazing opportunity!

Your Parent Council Team (or designate)

(contact email)