Brainstorm your purpose and objectives for having a legislator come to your location. One of the objectives of the visit is to educate the legislator about the importance of farm to school at your school or organization.
#3 Identify the Legislator’s Positions
More specifically, identify their positions on child nutrition, farm to school programs, agriculture, and other related issues.
#4 Contact Your Legislator’s Office
Ask to speak with an aide who handles child nutrition and/or education issues.
Identify yourself as a constituent and discuss the possibility of the legislator visiting your location and the purpose of the visit. If the legislator is not available, ask if a staff member who is responsible for child nutrition and education can come instead!
Try to schedule a time during lunch or breakfast so the legislator has a sense of what the food program looks like.
Consider hosting the visit on a day when local foods are highlighted on the menu.
#5 Plan out an Agenda for the Visit
Make sure the agenda highlights your goals & objectives for the visit.
Ensure the agenda respects the agreed timeframe of the visit.
Invite key stakeholders, such as the principal or superintendent to meet with the legislator during the visit.
Prepare all protocols for the legislator, such as visitor sign-in and parking passes (if necessary).
Have pertinent information on hand, such as, dining & nutrition staff’s contact information, background on the breakfast & lunch programs (including size of school district, how many meals are served, etc), and programs that promote healthy eating and nutrition education.
Consider preparing a 1 page handout with highlights about your program to give the legislator to take back to his office.
Gather and provide any other relevant materials to your program and the visit’s objective.
#6 Consider Sending out a Press Release
Allowing press to cover the event will help inform the local community about farm to school programs in your district.
Don’t forget to take photos!
If you have a school newspaper, this would be a good opportunity for students to cover the event.
#7 Send Your Legislator a Thank You Note After the Visit
