New York school receives Farm-to-School grant

By Blake Jackson

The New York State Agriculture Commissioner, Richard A. Ball, visited C R Weeks Elementary School on October 9th to celebrate Farm-to-School Month.

Richard A. Ball joined school staff, students, and local farmers to highlight the school's use of New York farm products and announce the winners of the Department's latest Farm-to-School Grant Program.

After the announcement, Commissioner Ball toured the school's garden and enjoyed an Apple Crisp Parfait made with New York oats, yogurt, and apples.

Other attendees included Erin Summerlee, Food and Health Network Director at the Rural Health Network of SCNY; Julie Raway, Registered Dietitian at Broome Tioga BOCES Food Services; Beth Roberts, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County; Senator Lea Webb; and Mike Russell, Owner of Russell Farms.

New York's Farm-to-School program, now in its ninth round, promotes the purchase and use of New York State-grown food in school meal programs. Since its launch in 2015, the program has awarded $8.7 million to 142 projects benefiting school districts statewide.

The Broome-Tioga Farm-to-School Program recently received a $100,000 grant to increase the use of New York State farm products in school meals, connect local farmers with K-12 markets, educate students about local agriculture, and provide training and resources for school food service staff. The program aims to ensure long-term sustainability and impact by increasing the availability of minimally processed local products for school meals.

Photo Credit: farm-to-school