COMMITTEES Farm to School
Farm to School Feature
Forestville Students Love Farm Fresh Foods BY NICK WEITH
Farm to School programs throughout New York State have been increasingly at the forefront of food service conversations withmore resources allocated to its growth. The Forestville School District, in Chautauqua County, has received the NYS Farm to School Grant each year since 2017. Forestville has built upon its momentum to create a
The second year in 2019, an emphasis was put on sharing ideas, receiving a grant for hydroponic garden towers, and reaching out to teachers to see how Farm to School programs could play a part in their classroom education and lessons. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt in the year’s plans, but education was refocused, through taste tests and cafeteria newsletters that inform, not only students, but the entire community on the importance of farm to school, history of food and nutrition, and a breakdown of the new and exciting local foods that were being offered each month. This year, Forestville has put an emphasis on animal purchases such as pork, beef, and other dairy products. This year the district expects to purchase: over 200 pounds of locally grown pork products, over 500 lb. of beef products, and will have added new dairy products such as local cheeses and yogurt! Forestville has done this by working with several community stakeholders and businesses such as Eden Valley Growers, local farmers, a newer distributor called Produce Peddlers, and even working with the local Amish community by purchasing through the Chautauqua Produce Auction. By expanding our local reach, the district
program in the cafeteria and community that serves the student body through healthy locally grown meals on a daily basis. One of the largest measures for success for cafeteria Farm to School programs is reaching the New York State 30% Initiative. This is when schools spend 30% of their total lunch costs on NYS grown foods. This includes produce grown on the farm across the road from the school, milk, cheese, or yogurt served during lunch time from dairy
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cooperatives, processed products that use at least 51% NYS grown products. We have even worked with local hog farmers and animal processing facilities that are USDA certified to serve locally grown and processed breakfast sausages and pork chops for lunch. In Forestville’s first year to attempt to reach the 30% in the 19-20 school year the cafeteria staff were able to reach a rate of 36%. This year, we are already over 40%. Forestville has been able to build each year from the grants the district received starting in the first year in 2018 by purchasing new equipment that would ensure cafeteria staff could efficiently process and store local produce.
has actually been able to lower costs when purchasing local produce and products. This year in fact we have been able to lower costs on a monthly average by 34% from last school year. Farm to school programs like the one in Forestville are not only important for student nutrition but also to education, the local economy, and the overall health of our neighbors and Families.
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FreshBites
SUMMER 2021
FreshBites
SUMMER 2021
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