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August 19, 2019
Media Contact: Marc Siegel, marc.siegel@state.or.us
Oregon Department of Education’s Child Nutrition Program Names Winners in Farm to Summer Challenge
Corvallis and McMinnville school districts get top honors
(Salem, Ore.) – Corvallis School District and McMinnville School District were named 2019’s Farm to Summer Challenge top winners by Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) Child Nutrition Program (CNP).
Corvallis offered a different locally procured item and a related activity each day of the week. They also partnered with local producers, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed), and a library to provide activities.
McMinnville’s chef added local flavors such as strawberry rhubarb Italian ice and homemade apple leather to the menu. They held a make your own butter activity with a local dairy. The top winners will receive ODE CNP’s very own Pear Trophy and a cooler bag courtesy of the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council.
During Summer Meals Week last month the Child Nutrition team challenged Summer Food Service Program sponsors to participate in a Farm to Summer Challenge. Challenge winners were notified last week.
The friendly competition had three parts: incorporate at least one local food item into the menu; lead an educational or enrichment activity around Farm to Summer; and share Farm to Summer activities on social media, website or other media outlet. Ten sponsors participated in this year’s Farm to Summer challenge, showcasing Oregon’s summer bounty and leading engaging activities at their summer meal sites.
“Congratulations to all the winners and participants,” said ODE Child Nutrition specialist Cathy Brock. “This creative competition helped Summer Food Service Program sponsors source and celebrate local foods.”
A few additional notables were also named in this year’s challenge. Notable challenge participants will receive a Summer Food Service Program Bag with Farm to Summer goodies.
Gervais School District “Best Use of Berries”
Gervais School District partnered with local producer Bauman’s Farm & Garden to offer a different berry each day of the Farm to Summer Challenge. These included loganberry parfaits and fresh raspberry dip paired with apples.
Boys and Girls Club of Western Lane County “Best Newcomer”
Boys and Girls Club of Western Lane County went on a field trip with participants to a local farmer’s market. Peaches, tomatoes and onions were selected there. The participants voted to make peach cobbler and salsa, using cilantro from their garden.
Umatilla School District “Cutest Seedling Presentation”
Among the fresh, local produce at Umatilla School District, the plantings participants created were inventive and eye-catching.
All participants in this year’s challenge will receive a certificate of participation from the Oregon Department of Education.
Look for “#farmtosummerOR and #farm2summerOR on Twitter and Facebook for more pictures and stories from Oregon’s Farm to Summer Challenge.
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