Chinook Schools participating in the Farm to School; Harvest of the Month programs
Share
Tweet
Heidi Brown greets kids as they come through the breakfast line. This is how she will pass information along to the children regarding the Farm to school program.
October is National Farm to School Month and is promoted as a time to connect students to producers in developing their understanding of the food they consume.
According to the MDA website, "Farm to school programs enhance the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and early care and education settings. Students gain access to healthy, local food as well as education opportunities such as school gardens, cooking lessons and farm field trips. Farm to school empowers children and their families to make informed food choices while strengthening the local economy and contributing to vibrant communities."
Currently 40% of Montana Schools participate in the program and Chinook Schools is one of them.
Heidi Brown is in charge of the operation and prepares the program for presentation to the kids. The school has participated in the program the past three years and this year will also include the Harvest of the Month program.
One of the special dates on the calender occurs on October 24th when students across Montana are to bite into an apple at 2:00 p.m. as part of 'Crunch Day'. Barb Ranstrom has provided the students each year with fresh Montana grown apples from her orchard in Kalispell.
Summer Squash was the Harvest of the Month produce for September and Brown stated she was able to get Montana grown product from SYSCO.
Brown made Spaghetti sou by pureeing the squash but said she has also baked it. When the kids come through the lunch, or breakfast lines she explains to them what they are eating and its benefits.
The featured product this month is Kale and in the coming months will be Beef. Not all produce can be purchased locally but Brown does her best to do so and said she expect to have locally grown beef for the kids when its time.
If time is available she will visit with the students in their classroom about the program as well but generally the lunch line is the most effective place to connect with each and every one of them.
