Local Fruit, Veggies For Students: Farm-To-Cafeteria At Banning Unified School District

BANNING, CA — Since the start of the 2025/26 school year, Banning Unified School District’s Child Nutrition Services team has been leading a new Farm-to-Cafeteria program that brings locally grown fruit directly into school meals, according to a recent media release.

The school district strives to source fresh produce from nearby farms, as the District promotes healthy eating while supporting local agriculture and ensuring students enjoy nutritious, high-quality options. As part of the program, the Child Nutrition Services team visited a 67-acre certified organic orchard in Redlands on October 3, The Old Grove Orange Farm.

The farm, cared for by Farmer Bob and others in this fifth-generation ranch, supplies the District with fresh oranges and connects students to the story behind their food.

Many of the orchard’s trees are more than 100 years old, producing smaller but richer fruit. Every orange is hand-picked to order, ensuring maximum freshness when it reaches the cafeteria.

Farmer Bob explained that “shiny doesn’t always mean better” when it comes to fruit, noting that older trees often produce the most flavorful harvest.

A member of the nutrition staff told him that students consistently love the fruit they receive—“it may be small, but it’s so good," they said.

Craig Pulsipher, Director of Child Nutrition Services for the Banning USD praised the program.

“Buying locally not only gives our students access to delicious, fresh fruit, but it also supports our community farmers and reinforces the importance of healthy eating," Pulsipher said.

Through partnerships with the Old Grove Orchard, as well as a network of local farms, Banning Unified can provide a variety of fruits—from Valencia and Navel oranges to honeydews and seasonal selections—as part of daily meals, according to a district spokesperson. These efforts are also showcased through the District’s Harvest of the Month program, which introduces students to new produce and encourages them to build lifelong healthy eating habits.