Winona Area Public Schools Farm to School Program

Tucked between stunning limestone bluffs and the mighty Mississippi River, Winona Public Schools serve 3,700 students in the southeast corner of the state. Winona?s Farm to School experience is just beginning, but many lessons about the value of coalition building have emerged.

The district?s nutrition director didn?t need to be convinced of the benefits of Farm to School, citing a desire to help grow the local economy and educate students about real foods grown close to home. She attended a local farmer-chef networking event in 2008 and began developing partnerships for Winona?s Farm to School effort.

Partners include the Winona County Economic Development Authority (EDA), the Land Stewardship Project, University of Minnesota Extension, Winona?s food cooperative, farmers, gardeners, and a concerned parent. Winona staff report that the University of Minnesota Extension office has provided important links to producers and the County EDA received grant funding to conduct community surveys.

Winona staff then worked with a local orchard to purchase Estival apples, a variety that suits smaller elementary-sized mouths and holds up well. The cost of apples purchased directly from the orchard was comparable to what the local distributor charges, but staff were able to choose from among a greater variety of apples to better meet their needs.

Yet, it is the ?buffburgers? and ?buffdogs? that have really turned heads. Winona partnered with Rockie Hill Bison Farm just a few miles from Winona to market and serve leaner-than-beef, bison burgers and hot dogs. Winona staff donned buttons and placed posters around the high and middle school cafeterias to intrigue students about the upcoming new menu items. The advanced promotions paid off. Not only did students gobble up the tasty, nutritious burgers and dogs; Winona sold out of them quickly. These items now appear regularly on the school?s a la carte menu rotation.

Future plans include purchasing bison patties, hot dogs, or pulled bison meat; local whole grains; and salad greens and other produce from a nearby Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) grower.

Contact

Lyn Halvorson, School Nutrition Director
903 Gilmore Avenue
Winona, MN 55987
Phone: 507-494-0831
Lyn.Halvorson@winona.k12.mn.us