Food for Thought report (May 2026)

Food for Thought Monthly Update

May brought a return to stronger harvests at several Food for Thought schools. Mushroom production picked up at a number of sites, while other schools remained on term break or prepared for their next growing cycle. Schools reported 158.5 kg of produce this month. 10 kg was used for students, while 141.5 kg was sold and generated ฿8,200. Students contributed 154 hours to caring for crops, mushroom houses, and livestock.

Muang Phi Nong (Chiang Mai) recorded the month’s largest harvest with 58 kg of mushrooms and 1 kg of eggplant. Students spent 81 hours maintaining the project. Wat U-Meng (Chiang Mai) harvested 42 kg of mushrooms, while Kiew Lae Luang (Chiang Mai) produced both mushrooms and eggs. Income from the egg project helped purchase feed for the hens.

May also showed the less predictable side of farming. Oyster mushroom spawn expired at Ban Ruam Thai (Kui Buri), while substrate bags at Ban Bang Pu (Sam Roi Yot) dried out. Other schools were still waiting for crops to mature or preparing new planting areas.

These mixed results give a more accurate picture of school-based agriculture. Some projects were harvesting and earning income, while others were troubleshooting problems and starting again. Both are part of keeping the farms active over time.