FARM TO SCHOOL
Local Roots, Local Flavor: North Colonie’s Partnership with Hilliard’s Greenhouse
BY ALEXANDRA CLEMENTS MS, RDN, CDN Assistant Director of Food & Nutrition North Colonie Central School District
For the past two years, the North Colonie Central Schools Food Service team has proudly partnered with Hillard’s Greenhouse in Latham, New York—a family-owned and operated farm located less than three miles from the district. Established in 1922, Hillard’s Greenhouse has been a cornerstone of the local agricultural community for over a century. Through the Farm to Institution New York State (FINYS) program, North Colonie’s food service department set a goal to increase the amount of fresh, locally grown New York products served to students. The team has since brought an array of seasonal produce into school cafeterias, including squash, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers—just to name a few. What makes this partnership even more special is the personal connection: members of the Hillard family have children in the North Colonie schools. Those students get to enjoy meals made with produce grown right on their own family’s farm! As the growing season came to a close this year, Hillard’s extended a generous offer of pumpkin pie pumpkins to the North Colonie team. Middle school cafeteria managers Jeryl Hess and Julie Watson eagerly embraced the opportunity to transform this autumn bounty into a festive, student-favorite treat—Pumpkin Pie Parfaits! Featuring creamy pumpkin layers sweetened with New York maple syrup and garnished with crisp New York apples and cinnamon sticks, these parfaits were a beautiful celebration of local flavors. Served during breakfast, they were an instant hit, with students savoring the cozy, seasonal taste that perfectly captured the spirit of fall’s harvest. This collaboration is a shining example of how local partnerships can bring fresh flavor, community pride, and educational value to school meals across New York State. ■
Parfaits garnished with NY apples, and cinnamon sticks
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FreshBites
WINTER 2026
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