Willmar Farm to School Program

Tracking the birthplace of Minnesota’s Farm to School movement is not easy, but the path most definitely includes Willmar Public Schools. In 2004 pioneers from this rural community in west central Minnesota were instrumental in linking with community partners at the University of Minnesota Regional Partnerships and the Kandiyohi County Public Health agency to support ongoing development of a Farm to School program.

The project goal was to connect schools with local farms to serve healthy meals in school cafeterias, improve student nutrition, provide health and nutrition education opportunities to last a lifetime, and support local small farmers. Project components included:
• A local food of the month, featured on the school lunch menu
• Monthly taste testing and nutrition education in selected schools
• Collaboration with the student run Willmar Greenhouse Project
• The development of an online Farm to School toolkit in partnership with the University of MN

The last project has built capacity around the state for other Minnesota schools to follow Willmar’s lead with Farm to School training offered by the Minnesota School Nutrition Association. Annette Derouin, Willmar Foodservice Director has contributed greatly to the online toolkit which includes large batch, standardized recipes; purchasing information; promotional information; and farmer contacts. Find the Toolkit at http://www.mn-farmtoschool.umn.edu

Ongoing community partnerships have brought additional Farm to School resources into the school district with nutrition educators from the University of Minnesota Extension’s SNAP-Ed program, grants from the Department of Education Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop grants, support from the Department of Health State Health Improvement Program (SHIP), and legislative support as a Farm to School pilot site.

Contact

http://www.willmar.k12.mn.us/
Annette Derouin
derouina@willmar.k12.mn.us