COMMITTEES Farm to School
Farm to School Across New York State
Farm to School Feature
COMPILED BY JULIE M. RAWAY, MPH, RDN, CDN, SNS, FAND FARMTO SCHOOL CHAIR
Seneca Falls Central School District Seneca Falls CSD built a raised bed garden three years ago using funds from the CCE Grant money that was awarded to Seneca County Schools. Each year they plant Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Green Peppers, Oregano, Yellow Squash and Zucchini. The vegetables are then used in “assorted veggies” bags in their Summer Feeding Meals and School Meals (until the garden has finished producing). The Oregano is dried and used to help enhance the schools Red Sauce on Pasta Days. The hope is to have the Green Club take over the garden but with Covid, the kitchen staff at the High School keeps it growing. With some help from Seneca County CCE, the students at Cady Stanton were given Butternut Squash Seeds to plant in cups. When the plants matured, the plants were taken to Candace Riegel’s family farm and planted in their field. Once matured, they were brought back to Seneca Falls High School where they were prepped and cooked for the students to eat with their Thanksgiving Day Meal, that was on the lunch menu. Photo Credit: Stephanie Lawrence (photos were taken pre-covid)
Sidney Central School District The 2020-2021 school year was a success for the Sidney Central School District’s Farm to School Program. Specifically, since January, five taste tests were held for over 400 students ranging from Kindergarten to 6th grade. When seasonal and available, ingredients for the tastings were procured from a farm, Catskill Cattle, located in Deposit, NY. These ingredients included carrots, eggs, and chicken and were used in three out of five tastings. The theme for this year’s taste testing program was Around the Plate in 151 Days. Students ate their way around the plate over the course of five months (151 days) - breakfast (carrot quinoa muffin), snack (sweet potato hummus), salad (carrot, beet, parsnip salad), lunch (chicken tikka masala), and dessert (black bean brownies). During the colder months, each taste test was individually packed into student’s lunches, then eaten in their classrooms. The Farm to School Coordinator and Assistant went around to the classrooms tallying if students liked the tasting or not. With the warmer weather came the opportunity to utilize the Farm to School Program’s food trailer. The Farm to School Coordinator and Assistant served the tastings to every K-6 class and their teachers. After students ate their tasting at a social distance, they voted on whether they liked it or not. The biggest success of the program was the chicken tikka masala. The next step is to share the recipes with the Elementary cafeteria to be able to menu the successes of the taste testing program. Sidney Central School District’s Farm to School Program will continue to work with Catskill Cattle Farm, along with other local farms for the 2021-2022 taste testing program. Photo Credit: Sidney Central School District
Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES
Windsor Central School District
Students involved in all agriculture courses are able to participate in maintaining and harvesting lettuce grown in the aquaponics. Students get to learn about the relationship between the fish and plants. From growing the fish as young stock, to germinating the seeds and finally to harvest. Introduction to Agriculture students are in charge of harvesting and recording the amount of lettuce produced and providing it to the cafeteria. So far students have been able to produce 10 pounds of lettuce for the high school cafeteria. The lettuce has been used in delicious salads offered to students in the cafeteria. Photo Credit: Alexis Davis
OHM BOCES has been serving Stoltzfus Very Berry Yogurt at all of our 15 component districts since 2018. The Mohawk Valley Farm to School Team worked with Stoltzfus Family Dairy to develop the blended 4 ounce yogurts from start to finish; touring the facility and providing feedback on label design (including adding our Mohawk Valley Farm to School logo!), sugar content and texture. It has become a Farm to School staple, especially over the past year with so many cold, grab and go lunches being served. We are proud to continue to partner with one of our local family dairies! Photo Credit: Jake Perrin
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FreshBites
SUMMER 2021
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