US (WA): Locally grown vegetables a hit in Arlington elementary schools
Four Arlington elementary schools, Kent Prairie, Pioneer, Eagle Creek, and Presidents, brought in slices of red beets, golden beets, turnips and rutabaga for the day.
The vegetables were provided by Ralph’s Greenhouse of Mount Vernon and Maltby Produce of Snohomish. Future Farmers of America club members from Arlington High School also provided some of the vegetables that were presented to the school kids.
The day is meant to help young students understand where their food comes from, said Acacia Larson, Western Washington Regional Coordinator for Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network.
“The more opportunities our children have to learn about the people, time, effort and resources necessary to turn a seed into a crop, the more they will appreciate the food on their plates,” said Jay Inslee about Taste Washington Day in 2010.
“I think the kids reacted really well today – not all kids wanted to try the veggies, but the ones that did were curious, and most were pleasantly surprised that they liked it. Even a couple of adults made comments such as ‘I didn’t know that Rutabaga/Turnip/Beet could be served raw’,” said Larson.
For more on the Farm to School program go to http://www.farmtoschool.org.
Source: northcountyoutlook.com