October kicks off National Farm to School Month and the Virgin Islands\u00a0Department of Education (D.O.E.), in partnership with the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture\u00a0(D.O.A.) will host a series of events and activities to educate our students and the community on\u00a0the health and economic benefits of introducing locally grown produce to our schools, according to a D.O.E. press release.<\/p>\n
The 2016\u00a0National Farm to School Month theme is One Small Step and will highlight the simple ways anyone\u00a0can get involved and take action to promote farming in schools and patronizing local farms.<\/p>\n
According to the release, the special interagency partnership between D.O.E. and D.O.A. sees St.\u00a0Croix farmers providing public schools in both the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John school\u00a0districts with farm-fresh watermelons. Each week in October, students enrolled in the School\u00a0Lunch Program will enjoy the watermelons as part of a special offering during the lunch period\u00a0called \u201cMelonmania\u201d. This one small step signals the launch of Governor Kenneth E. Mapp\u2019s\u00a0vision to increase the amount of locally produced food entering the territory\u2019s school lunch\u00a0program.<\/p>\n
D.O.E. says over the past decade, the farm to school movement has exploded across the United States, reaching\u00a0millions of students in all 50 states and U. S. territories, to include the Virgin Islands. From school\u00a0gardens and farm field trips to local food on cafeteria trays, farm to school practices help children\u00a0learn about where food comes from and how to make healthier choices while creating new markets\u00a0for local and regional farmers.<\/p>\n
For more information on National Farm to School Month, visit farmtoschool.org. Listed below is\u00a0a schedule of activities slated for both school districts during the month of October. Wednesday, October 5<\/strong><\/p>\n VIDE and VIDOA Commissioners eat lunch at Claude O. Markoe\u00a0Elementary School at 11:45 a.m.<\/p>\n Farmer\u2019s Meeting at University of the Virgin Islands Albert A\u00a0Sheen Campus Great Hall 6:30 \u2013 8:00 p.m.<\/p>\n Monday, October 17 <\/strong><\/p>\n Farmer\u2019s Meet and Greet hosted by Virgin Islands Good Food\u00a0Coalition and Taste of St. Croix, sponsored by VIDE and VIDOA\u00a0at balter St. Croix 5:30 \u2013 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Wednesday, October 19 Arthur Richards Junior High School\u2019s poultry farm to sell eggs at\u00a0the La Reine Farmer\u2019s Market 9:30 a.m. \u2013 1 p.m.<\/p>\n Thursday, October 27 <\/strong><\/p>\n 2nd Annual Food Learn Event opens DINE VI and honors Farm to\u00a0School Heroes at Estate Whim Museum 10 a.m. \u2013 1:30 p.m.<\/p>\n St. Thomas-St. John District<\/strong><\/p>\n Thursday, October 6 <\/strong><\/p>\n Farmer\u2019s Meeting at the University of the Virgin Islands,\u00a0Administration & Conference Center Room 142 at 6:30 \u2013 8:00 p.m.<\/p>\n Thursday, October 13 <\/strong><\/p>\n St. Thomas dignitaries enjoy lunch at Addelita Cancryn Junior High\u00a0School 11 a.m.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" October kicks off National Farm to School Month and the Virgin Islands\u00a0Department of Education (D.O.E.), in partnership with the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture\u00a0(D.O.A.) will host a series of events and activities to educate our students and the community on\u00a0the health and economic benefits of introducing locally grown produce to our schools, according to a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":45148,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5195,1078,191,147],"tags":[5197,121],"yoast_head":"\n
\n
\nSt. Croix District<\/strong><\/p>\n