Posted: 10.18.2011

With the fall harvest rolling in farm fields across the state - many school districts are trying to work on using everything agriculture has to offer.

October is National Farm to School month - and several Dane County schools have been working to build relationships with their local farmers.  According to Laura Witzling, coordinator of the Institutional Farm Market Coalition, there are a couple schools getting an A+.

At Mt. Horeb Area School District, Food Service Director Michelle Denk has been serving 90% of their fresh produce from local sources, including Vermont Valley (Blue Mounds, WI) and Parrfection Produce (Monroe, WI). They are freezing tomatoes for the winter with the help of parent volunteers.

At DeForest Area School District, Becky Terry and Tammy Braun purchase local apples from Lapacek's Orchard (Poynette, WI) and keep their primary vendor busy by asking for more and more local.

Witzling says there are great ideas on line for schools trying to use fall produce in everything from main course meals to salad bars.  Go to www.cias.wisc.edu/toolkits

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