-Montevideo Public Schools

At the end of the day, red tomatoes won out over yellow. The real winners, however, were the students, some of whom bit into juicy Minnesota grown tomatoes for the first time.

Sanford Elementary hosted the Montivideo Public School's first Farm to School event with a lively assembly, exploration table, and tomato tasting. The event was a model for partnerships as school and foodservice staff worked alongside farmers, an extension educator, a high school student and a parent volunteer. According to Lynn Mader, co-director of the Minnesota Farm to School Network, "this event was a terrific group effort."

Students asked several questions about the variety of tomatoes presented and how they are grown. Paula Berg, Extension Educator, encouraged students to try the tomato samples. High school student Kylie Ochsendorf and parent volunteer Wendy Van Ravensway distributed over 400 samples and helped students vote on their favorites using a poster made by Kylie.

With a little help from friends in the kitchen, Tom Taylor, with the Land Stewardship Project, mixed up a batch of fresh salsa to complement the student's taco lunch. "A lot of students tried the salsa. It was a very positive experience and a good way to raise interest in healthy foods," said Lynn.


Also contact:
Joyce Peterson, 320-269-8833, Ext. 2151

Contact

http://www.montevideoschools.com/
Barb Larsen
Phone: 320-269-8833, ext 21
blarsen@monte.k12.mn.us