Farm to School program

luvlieK

Well, I guess everything starts off small, hopefully this effort will grow. https://www.fcps.org/fcps/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=279184

Farm-to-School Program Locally grown watermelon, apples and peaches are on the menu at Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) next week as part of Maryland?s Farm-to-School Program during Homegrown School Lunch Week, September 12-16.? All students who purchase school meals will have a chance to participate in the program this year. ?This is just one way for us to educate students about the benefits of a locally grown food as a part of a healthy diet,? said Judith Gordon, FCPS Food Service manager. ?Cafeterias will post nutrition information about the produce as a way to connect students with the source of their food and the economic, environmental and health benefits of eating fresh, nutritious, local products. They will also display wellness posters throughout the school year to teach students the importance of making good choices.? FCPS cafeterias have served fresh produce in season for several years, Ms. Gordon said. Locally grown foods were offered from the beginning of this school year and will remain on school menus as long as they are in season.? She added that school cafeterias plan to serve more whole-grain products this year than last and that FCPS will continue to introduce new items throughout the year to meet students? nutritional needs.? The Farm-to-School program, which is implemented on a state level, helps to bring more Maryland-grown products to school lunch rooms and to educate students about where their food comes from, how it is produced and the benefits of a healthy diet.? The Jane Lawton Farm-to-School Program is named in honor of the late Maryland House of Delegates member Jane Lawton of District 18, Montgomery County. It was created during the 2008 Session of the Maryland General Assembly when SB 158 Farm-to-School Program - Activities and Promotional Events, sponsored by Senator Jamie Raskin, was signed into law by Governor Martin O?Malley. In addition to facilitating the procurement of local Maryland produce for school menus, the bill also created Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week (Sept. 12-16, 2011) to promote Maryland agriculture through school meal and classroom programs and interaction between students and local farmers. More information about the Farm-to-School Initiative is available at www.mda.state.md.us/mdfarmtoschool.??To learn more about how FCPS is participating, contact Judith Gordon, 301-644-5061.

CABunny

It's definitely a start!

aspade

This reminds me that Whole Foods has a grant program this fall. Any school, public or private, can apply for $2k for a school garden.  I think it's so awesome.

MELuckyInLove

That's great. Hopefully the kids will actually eat these healthy options. Some kids are not used to eating healthy and will just toss or pass up the good stuff. My friend's daughter gets teased on a daily basis because she brings in a healthy lunch including veggies, fruit and whole grains instead of eating the cafeteria crap.

jennterrell

way to go, my old hometown!!!
the university where i live now is starting to add local produce, and contracted to get all of their apples from a farm 2 miles from my house for the 3 months of the year when they are fresh. They have a goal of getting something like 25% of the in season produce locally within the next few years.

MummyGruetzie

Awesome! I hope that my girls will be benefactors of a program like this someday. Of course, if one isn't in place, we'll send lunch from home, but I love the idea of eating healthy just being the norm in school.

I know this is from a different state, but thought you might like get some ideas from another program.... 

https://www.mapleavenuemarket.com/farms_schools.html