COMMITTEES Farm to School
Farm to School Feature
Pick Me!
students learn “Seed to Table” by growing organic produce
Less miles to schools
Supports family-owned apple growers of NY State
SUBMITTED BY ANNE RICH HAMBURG CENTRAL SCHOOLS
Close to NY Schools
Students Hamburg Middle School’s 8th grade culinary class are growing to understand the concept of farm-to-table through hands-on experience. They’re planting and in tending organic produce that will be used in both recipes in their classroom and in school lunches.
it’s the creation of eighth graders Lilly Williams, Emily Gollus, Emma Pietrzak and Darren Stry. For the Chef Challenge, student teams made their choice of pizza for judges to taste test. Local ingredients were used as toppings for this kick-off to Farm-to-School (F2S) month. The teams first worked on refining their recipes with tips from local professional chefs during virtual sessions. The winning team had advice from Butera’s Pizza. Due to this year’s hybrid schedule, the judging took place over two days. The event was coordinated by Food Service Director Anne Rich and Tricia Miller of the F2S team, with Family & Consumer Science teacher Sheri Gund. Farmer Brendan Monaco of Goodman Farms, distributor of the four-tier grow rack (show in lower photo, spent time with students teaching them how to use it. The rack has since become a staple in the culinary classroom, typically used for such plants as lettuce and basil. From soil and seeds to food preparation with freshly cut greens, students are learning about the source of food and healthy eating. And, as what they grow makes its way into the cafeteria kitchen, they’re also sharing that bounty with their peers. By Michele Darstein Hamburg Central Schools District Community Relations Coordinator/District Focus Newsletter Editor
Fresh-picked flavor
This “seed to table” experience recently caught the eye of the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA), which presented the district with a Champions of Change for Kids award. The award recognizes innovative programs in school districts across the state. In a presentation at the October School Board meeting, Superintendent Michael Cornell credited Food Service Director Anne Rich and Tricia Miller of the Farm-to-School team, along with Family & Consumer Science teachers Sheri Gund and Stacey Smith, for spearheading the project. The project sprouted in early 2020 when district parents Gary and Gina Wieczorek, owners of Produce Peddlers, donated a terraponic indoor growing system to the culinary program. The taco pizza featured on November’s school lunch menu came from a recipe perfected by a team of Hamburg Middle School culinary students. Judged as the favorite pizza in the second annual Jr. Chef Challenge in October,
The sweet & healthy choice
I’m a New York State apple – so close to NY State Schools, my orchard is just a few miles away! Buying New York apples supports your local economy. I’m the sweet and smart choice. BUY New York Apples!
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FreshBites
WINTER 2021
FreshBites
WINTER 2021
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