In Hadley, MA, Mayor Michelle Wu and U.S. Representative Jim McGovern visited Joe Czajkowski Farm to highlight the Boston Public Schools (BPS) farm-to-school program. Joined by State Senator Joanne Comerford, State Representative Daniel Carey, and Deputy Commissioner Winton Pitcoff, the group toured the farm to explore the effects of such partnerships on local agriculture and city youth, according to a report from the City of Boston's official website.

Mayor Wu told the City of Boston, "Serving nutritious, local food to our young people creates the best possible learning environment for our students, while nurturing healthy eating habits and also contributing to our regional economy." The farm supplies a range of fresh produce to Boston Public Schools and plays a key role in a plan focused on sustainability and health. Congressman McGovern noted that the partnership could serve as a national model for integrating education and agricultural development.

The City of Boston,in collaboration with Czajkowski Farm, includes purchasing 19,000 pounds of butternut squash annually for the school lunch program. Anneliese Tanner, BPS Director of Food and Nutrition Services, emphasized the importance of sourcing food locally by stating, "Boston public schools is the largest restaurant chain in New England and we’re proud to be a farm to table restaurant chain."

This partnership supports BPS's goal of increasing scratch cooking in more schools and helps meet national lunch program requirements. Aligned with the Biden-Harris administration's focus on hunger, nutrition, and health, these initiatives aim to promote a healthy youth population and a robust local farming industry. The increased use of fresh, local ingredients enables BPS Food and Nutrition Services staff to prepare meals that reflect the community's diverse cultural preferences.

During the tour, it was noted that successful initiatives like the farm-to-school project extend beyond urban classrooms, creating reliable employment opportunities in rural areas. For Czajkowski Farm, this has resulted in an expanded year-round workforce and a more stable market due to the purchasing power of the City of Boston.