Wayzata Lunchroom Harvest Event Sept. 24

Growing your own herbs, milking a cow, tasting some farm fresh fruits and vegetables, what could be better?

These are all things elementary school students in the Wayzata School District get to do at the event called "A Lunchroom Harvest: Fresh and Local Tastes of Culinary Express," happening 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, in the lunchroom at .

According to a district press release, this event is designed to strengthen the connection between students and the people who grow or produce food for school lunches.

“We are committed to providing our students with fresh, healthy lunches and it’s important to teach kids about what they’re eating,” said Mary Anderson, director of culinary express, nutrition services of Wayzata Public Schools.  “When kids have an opportunity to meet the farmers who grow their apples or carrots and bakers who make their hamburger buns, they become more engaged.  They learn that fresh food not only tastes better, but is better for us and that helps create lifelong healthy eating habits.”

The district continues to expand its participation in Minnesota’s Farm2School program, which connects schools with local farmers.  Twenty-five percent of its food is sourced locally, including milk from Hastings Dairy Co-Op, whole grain breads from Denny’s 5^th Avenue Bakery in Bloomington and cheese from Bongards’ Creameries. Minnesota has designated September as Farm2School Month.

Teachers, students and lunchroom staff are also proud of the district’s own student-run greenhouse at Central Middle School. After years of disuse, the greenhouse was renovated and reopened with resources from Culinary Express. The greenhouse lets students learn lessons in science, nutrition and service to others as the harvest of vegetables becomes a healthy lunch for fellow students. A recently produced video showcases the hands-on curriculum and coincides with a district-wide campaign about healthy lunch options. 

Of the 10,000 total Wayzata School District students, 6,000 buy daily school lunches. All meals are assembled and cooked in school kitchens, avoiding pre-produced, frozen meals.