FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM

[sue]

Hi everyone,
I thought I start this thread because I would love to hear from anyone that has a farm-to-school program in their schools or would like to start one. If you are not familiar with this program, it is sponsored by the CT Dept. of Agriculture. It allows schools to purchase fruits and veggies from local farmers. It is a win for the children and for our struggling farmers. We just implemented it in Monroe and a few weeks ago. We handed out locally grown squash and apples to the children in our elementary schools. Our local organic farmer was on hand to answer hundreds of questions from curious children. This program has so much potential!!! This can make a SIGNIFICANT difference in the quality of food we are serving our children. What I like best about it is that rather than just focusing on what NOT to eat, the program focuses on what TO eat. (not sure if this link will work but it's an article about our farm-to-school kickoff) C:\Documents and Settings\MURO FAMILY\My Documents\articles\Farm to School.htm

Do you know of a successful farm-to-school program in CT? Interested in banding together to share ideas?

Hope to hear from you.
Warmly,
Sue Muro


Warm regards,
Sue Muro
itsperfectlynatural.net

[Amy Kalafa]

Hi Sue,

Your farm to school program is exciting. I'd like to hear more about it. Unfortunately, the link didn't work. Could you copy / paste the article into this discussion forum? I'm wondering how the squash was prepared and what the children thought about it?

[sue]

Amy Kalafa said:

Hi Sue,

Your farm to school program is exciting. I'd like to hear more about it. Unfortunately, the link didn't work. Could you copy / paste the article into this discussion forum? I'm wondering how the squash was prepared and what the children thought about it?

[sue]

Hi Amy,
Received your note - I'll reply later this afternoon when I am back in my office.
FYI - my sister Tricia is looking forward to meeting you today (she will be with Betsy Fink at the Angry Mom's showing). Have a great day!
Sue

[sue]

Amy Kalafa said:

Hi Sue,

Your farm to school program is exciting. I'd like to hear more about it. Unfortunately, the link didn't work. Could you copy / paste the article into this discussion forum? I'm wondering how the squash was prepared and what the children thought about it?

[sue]

Hi Amy,

The Farm-to-School program is sponsored by the CT Department of Agriculture. Here is a link to their website - http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=2225&q=299424. The CT DOA currently has about 60 local farmers participating in the program. Your food service provider CAN use these farmers to purchase local fruits and veggies (despite what they might tell you.) I LOVE this program – in addition to giving the children access to locally grown, seasonal fruits and veggies the DOA has a bunch of promotional materials available as well. We were able to give all the children in the elementary schools CT farm maps, recipes, pencils and other goodies. Below is the article that covered our kick-off in January. I'm happy to share any info I have. Here is my email - [e-mail].


Students try local foods in Farm to School program
Written by Marla Hoffman
Monday, January 05, 2009
Brussel sprouts. Broccoli. Spinach. Squash. The very mention of these vegetables has put fear into the hearts of many children since the very beginning of their cultivation.

But thanks to efforts on behalf of Monroe’s elementary schools, Beardsley Cider Mill of Shelton and Monroe Market Master Sue Muro, healthy foods like those vegetable soon may not seem so scary.

The Farm to School program was initiated recently at Stepney Elementary School to surprising success. A mixture of squash, apple slices, cinnamon, butter and brown sugar provided a sweet treat for kids during lunch.

“I never had it before,” said third grader Devon Sweeney. “I didn’t think I would like it, but I did. It’s sweet and I like the cinnamon.”

“I liked it,” said third grader Ian Laskey. “It feels squishy.”

Elementary and middle school students all across Monroe, just like Devon and Ian, will get the opportunity to be exposed to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables with the Farm to School program.

Guy Beardsley came to answer questions from the students and tell them a little about local farming.

“It is important that the kids have a good relationship with the squash,” Beardsley said. “We want them to have a good impression and memory of the dish so that it won’t seem so scary to try other new vegetables in the future.”

They may not have known it, but Monroe students have already had contact with locally grown crops. Each and every apple that goes through the schools has been grown at a farm locally.

“To them, what’s important is that it tastes good,” Beardsley said. “Nutrition is a hidden benefit.”

Caitlin Moresco, general manager for Monroe Schools representing Sodexho, helped prepare the squash dessert for the students.

“Events like this bring a whole new life to school lunch,” Moresco said, “and it supports local farmers too. Getting kids to try the new foods is half the battle. Here they are getting to sample it and learn about where it is from, so that helps get them excited.”

The Farm to School program is one part of efforts to bring more healthier choices into Monroe schools. Just this year, Monroe schools began participation in the state healthy food certification program, where foods with less sugar, smaller portions and some organic snacks are served in place of larger and less healthy snacks.

Muro, who is a co-facilitator of the nutrition and fitness committee for the schools, said even though most of the kids had never tried squash before, it had a good response.

“We’ve got to start introducing these foods earlier,” Muro said. “As they get older they are a little less willing to change their biases about vegetables.”

Muro said the majority of students in grades 1, 2 and 3 said they liked the dish. Grade four was a little harder to convince.

Still, she said, the school cafeterias run out of fruit everyday.

After the elementary schools are finished, Muro said the program will be taken to the middle schools, where, she said, she hopes to get the high school kids involved.

“We are constantly brainstorming ways to improve the health and fitness of kids in Monroe,” Muro said.

If anyone is interested in learning more about the nutrition and fitness committee or helping out the program e-mail Sue Muro at [e-mail] e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it The committee meets the first Friday of every month.

[Patti Popp]

Hi Sue,

My name is Patti and I am a farmgal who owns her own Organic Farm in Easton, CT. I am a newer farm in the area, we did not purchase an existing farm, but through the years have taken down trees and filled the land with rich,fertile compost for our veggies. In order for me to give my farm a chance, since Easton is surrounded by wonderful agriculture, I provide a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, have a four week Childrens Summer Farm Camp(in conjuction with the Unquowa School) , and I am proud to supply the Unquowa School of Fairfield with fresh, local, organic produce and eggs for the children and staff. Unquowa was one of the first school systems in the area to implement a sustainable food program and the children love it. I am happy to say that the Easton/Redding School system is looking into the farm-to-school program also and I think it is really exciting. It is so important for our children to know where their food is coming from. The Summer Farm Camp gives children the opportunity to see it all, they get to pick, plant and transplant baby seedlings as well as go inside the chicken coop to pick an egg. Their enthusiasm is contagious. I hope to one day see that all the school systems in CT are farm-to-school participants. We are so lucky to be in an area were our seasonal changes bring us a variety of delicious fruits and vegetables. www.sporthillfarm.com -Thanks-Patti Popp

[sue]

Hi Patti,
That is so amazing. I do believe I contacted you last summer to participate in the Monroe Farmers Market - if you are interested we would love to have you. I am the market master and am always looking for organic farmers. I love what you are doing in Easton/Redding schools and the education you are providing at the farm. How do I get more info on your summer camp? Is your CSA full? THANKS!
Warmly,
Sue

Patti Popp said:

Hi Sue,

My name is Patti and I am a farmgal who owns her own Organic Farm in Easton, CT. I am a newer farm in the area, we did not purchase an existing farm, but through the years have taken down trees and filled the land with rich,fertile compost for our veggies. In order for me to give my farm a chance, since Easton is surrounded by wonderful agriculture, I provide a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, have a four week Childrens Summer Farm Camp(in conjuction with the Unquowa School) , and I am proud to supply the Unquowa School of Fairfield with fresh, local, organic produce and eggs for the children and staff. Unquowa was one of the first school systems in the area to implement a sustainable food program and the children love it. I am happy to say that the Easton/Redding School system is looking into the farm-to-school program also and I think it is really exciting. It is so important for our children to know where their food is coming from. The Summer Farm Camp gives children the opportunity to see it all, they get to pick, plant and transplant baby seedlings as well as go inside the chicken coop to pick an egg. Their enthusiasm is contagious. I hope to one day see that all the school systems in CT are farm-to-school participants. We are so lucky to be in an area were our seasonal changes bring us a variety of delicious fruits and vegetables. www.sporthillfarm.com -Thanks-Patti Popp

[Patti Popp]

Hi Sue- My 2009 CSA program is filled. You can contact the Unquowa School Directly-or via web www.unquowa.org they just redesigned their website and have a page about the summer camp program. I believe registration will begin in March.

[Annelise McCay]

HI,

Fairfield schools are part of the Farm to School program. But we are told that this corner of Fairfield has disappearing farms therefore not a lot available to the Fairfield Schools. I know that Jane Slupecki at the Department of Agriculture is the person to talk to about gettting schools involved in Farm to School. We are also told that since school is over the winter months that this limits availability of fresh produce to the schools.

In Fairfield we have a group, Fuel for Learning under the direction of the PTA Council, we are trying to work with the school Food Services to implement further changes to healthier school lunches. There have been some positive changes, progress is being made, slowly. We cover School lunches, Farm to School, School gardens and other related issues.

An idea is being discussed. (Early discussions). There is a town owned farm in Fairfield, currently being farmed by the original owner, but the future of this is a little questionable. I think we should keep an eye on this farm. When it is up for proposals submitted to the town for it's next use, in a couple years, I think. We should considered it being an educational farm, that could also be used to provide local farm-to-school options for Fairfield Schools. We do have someone looking into this possibility. This could be very exciting. Think of a "Mini Stone Barns" right here in Fairfield. Where it could give older students opportunities to do volunteer/learning work on the farm...Where Fairfield students can visit a farm right in town for various learning opportunities. Does anyone else like this idea???
(After all, when I first mentioned a garden at the school, some people looked at me like I had 3 heads...Luckily a few loved the idea and jumped in, and now 3 years later we now have a school garden.
Something to think about.

Annelise McCay