Tyne Bankester

A major goal of the Louisiana Farm to School Act is to promote the use of locally grown and raised foods in school nutrition programs. One avenue to achieve this is for school food service personnel to source ingredients for school cafeteria meals within the state. In doing this, school districts directly support their local economies and community members who grow these products.

In recent years, school districts have shown interest in procurement of Louisiana-grown commodities, such as sweet potatoes, rice, satsumas, lettuce, greens, seafood and tomatoes. It is important that Louisiana residents recognize and celebrate the producers who are doing the work to provide the children of this state with nutritious meals throughout the school year. Armstrong Farms is just one example of a community grower selling their products to Louisiana schools.

Armstrong Farms is a third-generation farming operation in Bastrop led by 34-year-old Ashley and her 78-year-old father, Harper. Their motto, “We are each other’s harvest,” drives them to serve their community in several ways. This farming duo actively sells their harvest at several farmers markets within northeast Louisiana. Beyond traveling to meet these customers and provide healthy produce in food deserts, the Armstrongs also provide opportunities for customers to pick their own greens.

The Armstrongs grow 100 acres of vegetables that they sell locally in addition to nearly 1,000 acres of commercial row crops, including soybeans, wheat and cotton.

“I've been farming all my life,” Harper said. “We always grew enough food to take care of the family, and that's been my purpose. We always sell food to other people at the same time.”

Understanding the importance of connecting students to where their food comes from, Armstrong Farms has also expanded to sell their produce to schools in their area. When asked how this connection was established, Ashley said, “Dad spoke with someone who he knew on the school board and that got the ball rolling.” Over the years, they have sold a variety of produce to local schools: watermelon, purple hull peas, butter beans and even sweet corn.

“We’re actually selling to Morehouse and Ouachita parish schools this year!” said Ashley, showcasing how their partnerships with school districts have expanded over recent years.

The Farm to School Program is committed to helping producers connect to school districts much like Armstrong Farms . When local produce is purchased and served to children in the community, everyone benefits

Tyne Bankester is the program manager for curriculum integration and MarketMaker for Seeds to Success: The Louisiana Farm to School Program.

(This article appears in the spring 2023 edition of Louisiana Agriculture.)

Harper and Ashley Armstrong show off their vegetables in the field at their farm near Bastrop. They plant a variety of vegetables on a nearly 100 acre farm and supply schools in the area. Photo by Kyle Peveto