Farm-to-School grants
Local grants help bolster Farm-to-School program
The Farm-to-School Program received $1500 from Jane Coffey, $1500 from Coffey Communications and $2500 from the Blue Mountain Community Foundation to purchase equipment to support school garden programs.
“While the program has taken giant steps forward in the past year thanks to school garden coordinators, teachers, nutrition services staff, parent volunteers, and the local food producers working together, I’m now considering the overall sustainability of the program,” said Beth Thiel, Farm to School Coordinator. “Building this type of program requires financial and volunteer support and I’m extremely grateful for the interest in the health of our community and the community’s generous nature.”
The funds have helped provide cooking equipment at each elementary school with a school garden. These materials make garden related cooking activities easier. Funds may also be used to purchase school kitchen equipment, harvest of the month promotional materials, school garden education training, and services necessary to initialize a school garden support network.
The program was initially started with Blue Mountain Community Foundation funds, and has been operating on a USDA grant for almost a year with about one year of funds remaining.
For more information about the program or to get involved, contact Beth Thiel: bthiel@wwps.org