Published: Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Putting farm food on the plate
Farmers and ranchers are invited to participate in “Taste Washington Day” on Sept. 29, when schools around the state will celebrate by serving meals made of locally produced food.
EVERETT — The state Department of Agriculture and the Washington School Nutrition Association are asking local farmers to participate in the state Farm-to-School program’s “Taste Washington Day” on Sept. 29.
Schools around the state will be serving meals made from food produced by nearby growers. The school program also is scheduled to provide activities to celebrate the local farms that feed people.
The state Farm-to-School Program plans to provide support to match up farms and schools and help with the food-buying process, a state agriculture department spokeswoman said.
Farmers and school officials can team up to write menus, or the state is suggesting two. One includes baked potatoes, chili and cheese toppings, whole wheat bread sticks, local fruit salad and milk. The other is hamburgers with cheese on whole wheat buns, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, corn on the cob, fruit salad and milk.
The state is encouraging school nutritionists to try alternatives if they have willing farmers or ranchers who raise other animals or grow other fruits or vegetables.
The Farm-to-School program offers posters, and is willing to help bring farmers to lunch or arrange for visits to local farms.
For more information, to be listed as a participating farm or to get help getting in touch with local school districts, contact Tricia Kovacs, the state Department of Agriculture Farm-to-School Program manager, at tkovacs@agr.wa.gov or 206-256-6150.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
Schools around the state will be serving meals made from food produced by nearby growers. The school program also is scheduled to provide activities to celebrate the local farms that feed people.
The state Farm-to-School Program plans to provide support to match up farms and schools and help with the food-buying process, a state agriculture department spokeswoman said.
Farmers and school officials can team up to write menus, or the state is suggesting two. One includes baked potatoes, chili and cheese toppings, whole wheat bread sticks, local fruit salad and milk. The other is hamburgers with cheese on whole wheat buns, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, corn on the cob, fruit salad and milk.
The state is encouraging school nutritionists to try alternatives if they have willing farmers or ranchers who raise other animals or grow other fruits or vegetables.
The Farm-to-School program offers posters, and is willing to help bring farmers to lunch or arrange for visits to local farms.
For more information, to be listed as a participating farm or to get help getting in touch with local school districts, contact Tricia Kovacs, the state Department of Agriculture Farm-to-School Program manager, at tkovacs@agr.wa.gov or 206-256-6150.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
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