October kicks off National Farm to School Month and the Virgin Islands Department of Education (D.O.E.), in partnership with the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture (D.O.A.) will host a series of events and activities to educate our students and the community on the health and economic benefits of introducing locally grown produce to our schools, according to a D.O.E. press release.
The 2016 National Farm to School Month theme is One Small Step and will highlight the simple ways anyone can get involved and take action to promote farming in schools and patronizing local farms.
According to the release, the special interagency partnership between D.O.E. and D.O.A. sees St. Croix farmers providing public schools in both the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John school districts with farm-fresh watermelons. Each week in October, students enrolled in the School Lunch Program will enjoy the watermelons as part of a special offering during the lunch period called “Melonmania”. This one small step signals the launch of Governor Kenneth E. Mapp’s vision to increase the amount of locally produced food entering the territory’s school lunch program.
D.O.E. says over the past decade, the farm to school movement has exploded across the United States, reaching millions of students in all 50 states and U. S. territories, to include the Virgin Islands. From school gardens and farm field trips to local food on cafeteria trays, farm to school practices help children learn about where food comes from and how to make healthier choices while creating new markets for local and regional farmers.
For more information on National Farm to School Month, visit farmtoschool.org. Listed below is a schedule of activities slated for both school districts during the month of October.
St. Croix District
Wednesday, October 5
VIDE and VIDOA Commissioners eat lunch at Claude O. Markoe Elementary School at 11:45 a.m.
Farmer’s Meeting at University of the Virgin Islands Albert A Sheen Campus Great Hall 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Monday, October 17
Farmer’s Meet and Greet hosted by Virgin Islands Good Food Coalition and Taste of St. Croix, sponsored by VIDE and VIDOA at balter St. Croix 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 19 Arthur Richards Junior High School’s poultry farm to sell eggs at the La Reine Farmer’s Market 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Thursday, October 27
2nd Annual Food Learn Event opens DINE VI and honors Farm to School Heroes at Estate Whim Museum 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
St. Thomas-St. John District
Thursday, October 6
Farmer’s Meeting at the University of the Virgin Islands, Administration & Conference Center Room 142 at 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 13
St. Thomas dignitaries enjoy lunch at Addelita Cancryn Junior High School 11 a.m.
Tags: farm to school, us virgin islands
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