by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
A group from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture met with Sartell school officials and students on Nov. 1 as part of a statewide celebration of the “Farm-to-School” program. Among the visitors was the assistant commissioner of the Department of Agriculture.
Farm to School is a way to promote fresh foods, topnotch nutrition and support for local food producers by featuring locally-grown foods as part of the school lunch menus. Sartell’s food-service department, under the direction of Brenda Braulick, has been a strong proponent of Farm to School for several years. At times, volunteer parents would come to the school to shuck hundreds of ears of corn, locally grown, so students could enjoy the food at lunches. Many other locally-grown foods have also been served at the schools, such as fruits and vegetables.
Earlier this year, Braulick applied for and received a Farm-to-School grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to help develop further ties with area farmers to increase the amount of locally-grown, fresh foods to the schools. With funds made possible through that grant, the Sartell food-services department was able to purchase two new ovens in which to prepare foods from area farmers, such as Bakers’ Acres and Collegeville Orchards.
Assistant Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Andrea Vaubel had high praise for the Sartell School District.
“They just have a ton of options,” she said, referring to the food-service department’s variety of fresh vegetables after the tour on Nov. 1. “They’ve got a beautiful spread of fresh produce every day, and they focus on having a colorful variety for students to choose from. It’s so fun to see schools partnering with area farmers, and the wonderful added benefit from our perspective is the easy access to fresh, healthy options for students. It’s a win-win.”
The MDA’s Farm to School Grants are part of the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation Program. In the first four years of the Farm-to-School Program, the MDA has awarded roughly $1.5 million to schools throughout the state. The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota also contributes funding to the project to help schools reach a one-to-one match of AGRI funding.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton proclaimed October “Minnesota Farm-to-School Month.”
Andrea Vaubel, assistant administrator of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Farm-to-school advocates pictured from left to right: Hannah Warzecha, ISD 748 Food Services; Brenda Braulick 748 Food Services; Jenna Bautch, Dietetic Intern through Iowa State University; Katy Schultz, Blue Cross; Natalie Keane, Sprout; Jessie Borkenhagen, Sprout; Kristin Riley, Minnesota Department of Education; Assistant Commissioner Andrea Vaubel , Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Ashley Bress, Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Todd Beumer, Collegeville Orchards
