Local Dairy in the "Smoothie Slurp"
The American Dairy Association Mideast and the Ohio Farm to School Network promoted a Smoothie Slurp February 6-10. Thank you to those who continue to participate in the Smoothie Slurp. Not only are smoothies an excellent way to incorporate local foods, but can include a variety of nutrients, including calcium, protein, potassium, vitamin C, and fiber. Schools and agencies across the state participated and shared their slurp.
Order Ohio Farm to School Kits
Schools can order Ohio Farm-to-School marketing kits from the Ohio Department of Education to promote their participation in Farm-to-School activities.
Each kit will contain 30 iron-on shirt transfers, 10 window clings, 10 large magnets, and 750 stickers, all containing the Ohio Farm to School graphic. School districts can order up to five kits each.
Please fill out this form to request your kits.
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Indoor Gardening at Crestwood Local Schools
Crestwood Local Schools in Mantua, Ohio received a grant from the Hiram Trust approximately three years ago. The district purchased three tower gardens with funding from that grant. Nutrition Services Director, Jennifer Hirsch, said the staff and students were very excited about the gardens and immediately began growing a variety of fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, after a year of experimenting with the tower gardens, their activities came to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this school year is the first year students have been able to experience the tower gardens to their full potential.
She says the process of growing is simple. Students start by soaking a wool starter cube in water and placing it in a tray. She then places seeds into the center of the wool cube and sprinkles some vermiculite on top. After 2-3 weeks, the seeds have matured into a seedling, and are transported to the tower garden. The gardens provide water, nutrients, and artificial light. However, students and staff alike notice the plants liked the natural light because the ones growing on the side that faces the window grow faster. Jennifer says that so far, their schools have grown multiple types of lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and strawberries. The tower gardens are placed in the cafeteria dining space and students can observe the growth and changes happening day to day. She works with teachers to allow students to come on "harvest day" to help.
Ohio Farm to Summer Celebration Week
Ohio Farm to Summer Celebration Week will take place June 26- 30. Join the Ohio Department of Education in celebrating the extraordinary impact serving local foods and incorporating agriculture and nutrition activities has on children during the summer months. Farm to Summer Celebration Week is a chance to eat local foods, grow fresh produce, and engage the community. By participating in these activities your organization will be recognized as a participant in the first-ever Farm to Summer Challenge. Register your organization HERE to receive more information about the Farm to Summer Challenge and receive Farm to Summer content during the celebration week.
Have an idea of what content or activities you would like provided during Farm to Summer Celebration Week? The Office seeks individuals across child nutrition programs interested in providing feedback on Ohio Farm to Summer initiatives such as the Cucumber Crunch and the 2023 Farm to Summer Celebration Week. The Office of Nutrition will host the last Farm to Summer virtual planning session on April 4, 2023, from 10 AM – 11 AM. Register HERE to receive meeting links.
Please contact Hannah.Hart@education.ohio.gov or Elizabeth.Douglass@education.ohio.gov with any Farm to Summer questions.
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