Farm to School Starts with the Apple
Through the OGC Farm to School Program the Food Co-op in Port Townsend is pleased to support the Community Wellness Project.
The Community Wellness Project cultivates health, resilience and well-being of students and families in Jefferson County through school gardens, student feeding projects, culinary and farming education. During our 2020 season, the Community Wellness project accomplished the following projects with support from the Farm to School donations through the Food Co-op and OGC:
The Community Wellness Project convened local suppliers and contracted a Food Access Coordinator to feed over 180 students and families during the first and second quarter of 2020. During spring break, they boxed local CB’s Nuts peanut butter and SpringRain Farm jam, along with locally baked bread from Pane d’Amore Bakery. Additionally, food boxes included fresh cooked meals by Grace Love, and fresh produce from farmers and the Jefferson County Food Banks. These boxes were delivered by the YMCA and welcomed by families. Food boxes filled an important community need. With school closed, the feeding program ensured that students who qualify for free and reduced lunch during the school year continued to have access to nutritious food when school was on break.
School gardens flourished at public schools through Jefferson County! Both Port Townsend and Chimacum have hired new Garden Coordinators. Summer programs are being planned to augment summer school schedules. Produce grown at the schools was frozen for use in school lunches this year. Some produce was also donated to the local food banks. As school re-convenes after the spring break, more and more classes will be spending time in the school gardens, which have been established in part with support through the Farm to School program.
The Community Wellness Program also launch of the Spring into Wellness Challenge, a fundraiser to support our local school food initiatives as well as the Emburis School in Tanzania (the Community Wellness Program adopted sister school). The funds will be used for garden supplies or food production in Jefferson County and Tanzania.
Finally, the Community Wellness Project earmarked funds to be used this fall for pruning the Blue Heron Middle School orchard. Funds will buy needed tools, equipment, and mulch. Fruit from the orchard is served in Jefferson County school lunches as well as donated to the local food banks.
Thank you so much for your support and partnership through the Farm to School Program. Please let me know if you have questions.
With appreciation!
Amanda Milholland, Produce Manager
