What is the Mountain Plains Crunch Off?
In celebration of Farm to School Month, States throughout the Mountain Plains Region (CO, MT, MO, KS, NE, ND, SD) are competing to see which State can get the most “crunches” into a local apple, or other locally grown produce, per capita. North Dakota Crunch Off dates are September 15 - October 31, 2025. This year, we have a collective goal of 750,000 crunches!
As a Crunch Off participant, you will join students, teachers, farmers, parents, community members, and local food enthusiasts in celebrating the wonderful produce the Mountain Plains Region has to offer. Your Crunch efforts will encourage healthy eating and support local agriculture while celebrating Farm to School Month and shedding light on the wonderful efforts of our food service partners. You can still participate even if you’re unable to crunch into local produce! Contact Amanda Olson, North Dakota Department of Instruction, Farm to School Specialist at amolson@nd.gov, 701-328-0817 or Jenna Nieters, North Dakota Department of Agriculture, Local Foods Marketing Specialist, jnieters@nd.gov, 701-328-2659 with questions.
Steps to Get Started
 | Register! If you would like to host a Crunch event, register your event here: https://forms.office.com/g/kjdXDZBNh3 |
 | Create a Crunch Team! Find a group of individuals who are excited about Farm to School and local food. Consider including staff, food service staff, administrators, parents, and community members to help you plan and promote your event. If you’re located or partner with a school, you can join them in their Crunch Off event. |
 | Decide what you will crunch and where you will get it from! Local produce items count as “crunchable,” so if you would like to crunch something other than an apple, indicate the item you are crunching at the time of registration. You don’t have to purchase local to participate. |
 | Create your Crunch plan! You may choose to have a center-wide “Crunch” in a large assembly, individual classrooms, during breakfast or lunch, with individuals at different locations all at the same time, or at some other time and place. You can crunch virtually too with parents! |
 | Promote your Crunch event! Share your event on social media, print media, center announcements, newsletters, etc. |
NEW THIS YEAR | Awards! This year, North Dakota will recognize the most creative crunch, best event, most crunches, and more! You must submit one photo to Amanda Olson at amolson@nd.gov to be considered for awards. Deadline is November 1, 2025. |