Much of the Youngstown area is considered a 'food desert,' meaning that there is little to no access to affordable, healthy food in an accessible distance to where people live.

Food deserts play a big role in a community's overall health and well-being. Without access to some affordable and fresh choices, they might walk to the nearest convenience store for a bag of chips and a pop. This routine can lead to a number of health complications over time.

Thanks to a grant from the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, the Youngstown City School District (YCSD) is working to change that.

The $94,644 'Farm to School' grant will be used to develop and implement Farm to School practices across the district. This includes collaboration between Y-STEAM, the Grants Office, and Food Services.

Together, those departments will work with Fork Farms, a hydroponic farm out of Wisconsin. The farm will help teach students and their families about hydroponic gardening, which is the practice of growing plants in a nutrient-dense water solution instead of soil. It allows farmers and gardeners to grow plants anywhere, at any time of year, often with fewer resources.

In addition to teaching students and their families, the YCSD will integrate what it learns into curriculum, involve staff members in the process, and eventually host produce tasting sessions for parents.

"The opportunities afforded by the Farm to School grant will considerably leave an impact on our scholars," said YCSD Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor. "We specifically built an educational component to coincide with the wellness piece so scholars can have a hands-on, educational experience."

The USDA's Food and Nutrition Service isn't only making waves in Youngstown. So far, the department has awarded over $10 million to 103 schools nationwide. The grants will help 1.2 million kids in the U.S. and U.S. territories have access to fresh, affordable food- all while supporting local farmers.

"The expansion of Farm to School is more important than ever for our kids," said Dr. Vista Suarez Fletcher, FNS Midwest Regional Administrator. "When schools and local producers work together, children benefit from higher-quality foods on their plates and program operators have stable sources for the products they need."

By integrating the Farm to School program into student's curriculum, the YCSD will provide a pathway to food security for students- many of whom have never lived outside Youngstown's vast food desert.