Farm to School program finally underway in Warrensburg

[xmas74]

http://www.dailystarjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=14906

Warrensburg - Sterling and Martin Warren elementary school pupils will learn first-hand about food and nutrition in a Farm to School program next year.

Superintendent Deb Orr said the goal is to teach youngsters "where their food comes from" and good nutrition.

University Extension and Johnson County Community Health Services personnel assist the district with starting the national program that promotes using locally grown produce and other foods in schools.

The program can combat childhood obesity and provide additional markets for family farmers.

Third-, fourth- and fifth-graders and children in after-school programs at the schools will plant gardens to grow produce, Orr said.

The district hopes to start the program in the fall with cool-season crops "mainly to teach kids how to grow vegetables" since they will miss the height of the growing season. However, she said, the program will continue in the spring, and possibly through summer school.

There's more at the link.

I've complained about this for years, even here on DU, about what is in the school lunches. Hopefully this will be a big step in the right direction for not only this school district but others of similar size throughout the state.