As in past years the submissions for NYHFNYKW Partnership Awards were varied and revealed a lost of great ideas and creativity. Although many schools participate in the week of activities, the following schools have submitted projects for recognition:
Working with Local Farmers: Geneva City School District and Block Institute
Merchandising/Promoting: Salem Central School District
Building Partnerships & Integrating Farm to School in Wellness Activities: Niskayuna Central School District
Two current issues of the day, are child health and viability of family farms. Both issues can be addressed when schools buy local, nutritious and tasty foods. Studies indicate that when students are involved in activities such as gardening and cooking they are more inclined to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Increased consumption of these healthy foods not only during school lunch, but for all meals throughout a student's lifetime is a goal of the Farm to School initiative, which includes celebrating NY Harvest for NY Kids.
Working with Local Farmers and Creating Healthy Dishes Kids Like
Geneva City School District Food Service Director JoEllen Martino increased the purchase and preparation of locally grown asparagus, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, apples, watermelon, cantaloupe, yellow melon, potatoes, baby carrots and peppers. Recipes were varied and diverse and surprisingly, were well received by students. Some of the delicious offerings were tomato salad, broccoli with cheese sauce, cauliflower au gratin, steamed asparagus, cucumber with dip and apple crisp. Some foods were used in the Summer Food Program and others during the regular school year. The Scott Wager Farms, SLR Farms, Pederson Farms, Inc. as well as local farmers with the Farmers Auction delivered the produce and patiently waited for payment.
"By seeking out these local farmers Geneva City School has start a partnership that will develop and expand in the future" said Betsey Bacelli, member of the NYS School Nutrition Association. "These lasting relationships show the dedication of both the school community and the farming community."
" We like having local customers because it cuts down on shipping cost for us and them and that's good for farmers," says Laura Pederson, Pederson Farm co-owner.
Geneva City School District lunch director JoEllen Martino stated that local direct purchasing has now become a year long activity for her school district.
Partners Welcome: An Event Too Big To Go It Alone
The Block Institute each year works hard at getting everyone involved in their NYHFNYK week long activities. Last Spring gardens were planted with the help of high school students. Crops included tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, zucchini, squash, beans, cauliflower, broccoli, corn and herbs. The vegetables harvested were made into pickled vegetables.
This years culminating activity was to make the world's largest apple crisp. The apple crisp weighed in at 774 pounds and 4 ounces. All the products used in the apple crisp were donations. The NYS Apple Growers Association provided 520 pounds of apples. Nature Seal donated a natural preservative known as Nature Seal. Local vendors supplied the flour, sugar, oatmeal and margarine. Separate apple crisps were baked and then assembled on the day of the NYHFNYKW celebration.
The Block Institute was given recognition by NY City Mayor Bloomberg and Governor George Pataki made a proclamation. Miss New York - USA 2005 even paid the students a visit. A host of favorite youth activities from a petting zoo to a Food & Craft Market were available for students. Numerous invited guests were invited to enjoy and partake in the celebration.
The lunch menu was made up of many local foods.
Nutrition and Food Service Director Todd Adelman stated "The day was a huge success! Our school has developed new relationships with Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum, the New York State Apples Growers Association and continues to expand our partnership with the Farm Bureau of New York, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the John Bowne High School."
Merchandising/Promoting
Salem Central School District students were able to taste-test some local farm products, and butternut squash with maple syrup proved their favorite. The squash was grown at the Gardenworks and the syrup came from Adams' Sugar House in Shushan. Many local farms including Moses Farm, Slack Hallow and Borden's Orchard provided other local foods such as corn, potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce and apples. The menu for the October 3rd Celebration gave students numerous healthy choice options.
Washington County has a diverse agricultural mix of farms such as u-pick berry patches, vegetable farms, lamb, pork and beef farms, horse and alpaca farms and dairies. Because of the diversity more products will be available to Salem Central School in the future. Colorful displays of the local foods were created. Students were able to associate the tasty dishes they ate with the local fruits and vegetables grown because of a clever map and string display.
To prepare for this Celebration, classrooms studied agriculture in Washington County. Support material was supplied by New York Farm Bureau, NY Farms! , The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Food and Fitness for Better Health
Niskayuna Central School District incorporated Active8Kids, Eat Well Play Hard and NYHFNYKW to promote healthy eating and life styles. Active8Kids encouraged students to eat a rainbow of colors by selectively choosing fresh fruits and vegetables. Eat Well Play Hard offered students rope climbing and bike riding to promote physical Activity. A 'Create Your Own Milk Mustache Booth' promoted low fat dairy consumption. There was also a produce booth to promote eating locally grown produce. During the week, local apples, pears, tomatoes and carrot were offered on the lunch menu. The percentage of students taking pears, carrots and broccoli doubled in the month of October. Plans for the next few months include offering sweet potatoes and squash varieties for the students to try. New York apple workbooks were distributed to classroom teachers for students to work on in the classroom.
NYHFNYK Week continues to be a great first step in encouraging schools and farms to work together. Local farm sales increase and the usage of fresh local fruits and vegetables introduces students to new tastes, textures and flavors, helping to encourage a lifetime of healthy eating. Some students learn local agricultural history or local geography. Some get an introduction to soil science and agronomy. Yet others learn about food and nutrition. New York Harvest for New York Kids is great community building activity and a win-win for all!
