Spinach season is in full force at Joes Brook Farm in Barnet, Vermont. And farmer-owner Mary Skovsted is excited to be providing the St. Johnsbury School Farm to School program with their first local, seasonal ingredient. The spinach will be the guest local ingredient for all students and staff. The taste-test will be a tool to introduce students to local, fresh , nutritious foods and to understand how they would like the foods prepared on the lunch line. Parents and community members will also have a chance to sample the May taste-test recipe at the St. Johnsbury School community night on May 5.
The St. Johnsbury School is a winner of the 2011 Rozo McLaughlin Farm-to-School Implementation Grant. Since 2007 the Rozo McLaughlin Farm-to-School Grant Program has been awarding Vermont schools with funds to integrate local foods in school cafeterias, classrooms and communities.
Although this is a newly awarded grant, Carol Brill and the food service staff have been involved with farm to school activities for more than 10 years. Brill regularly features vegetables and beef from Tamarlane Farm in Lyndonville on the school’s lunch line. Carol has witnessed the increased whole food acceptance and consumption among the students over the last decade and is excited to have this extra funding to continue the success. “It will be nice to get folks to know more of what we are doing and have been doing.” explains Carol. This will be carried out in part by more information listed on lunch menus and signs in the cafeteria indicating farms of origin.
The monthly taste-tests are just one way to involve, excite and educate students and the community about all the local foods our region has to offer. The Farm to School project has many other activities lined up including increased farmer to school visits, local food lesson plans and a professional development course for community members.
Volunteers are invited to attend the next farm to school meeting to be held Tuesday, April 26, 4pm at the St Johnsbury School Cafeteria. This grant program is made possible by collaboration between the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Health and VT FEED (Food Education Every Day). If you are interested in helping or finding out more about this community project you may contact Melissa Bridges at Melissa@stjfoodcoop.com or at 802-748-9498.
