During the 2023-24 school year, Foley Public Schools partnered with 10 different local producers, including three standout local farms that are practically in the schools’ backyard.

Westwood Early Childhood Center does all sorts of great Farm to Early Care activities! Each classroom has its’ own garden space, and classes do a variety of activities exploring and learning about growing and eating!

Cheri says, “We started with most of the kids afraid of bees. We ended the summer with, ‘Cheri, look! A bee is resting on my jacket! Awww, hey little fuzzy buzzy’.” Cheri like beekeeping so much she is expanding next year. What an amazing learning opportunity for the kids at Cheri’s early care!

At Fond du Lac Ojibwe School, Farm to School is about more than just meals. The school uses local and traditional Ojibwe foods like wild rice, bison, and venison to help students learn about their culture, language, and community. By serving fresh, locally sourced meals and cooking from scratch, the kitchen team helps students feel connected to their food and excited to eat at school.

Nutrition staff utilized a Farm to School grant to purchase several local products to serve in their school meals. For example, they purchased beef, cucumbers, greens, and tomatoes from Brakstad Family Farm in Pequot Lakes. Students also had an opportunity to visit the farm on a field trip. Several positive outcomes have occurred because of the Farm to School grant, including supporting local farmers, serving fresher food, and introducing students to new food.

In 2022, Marcia gardened with the kids she cares for, and the kids got to help care for, harvest, and eat the produce. She is hoping to expand next year - she is planning to install three additional raised beds!

Shannon grew so many things this season. They planted a wide variety of different veggies, including squash, broccoli, cabbage, peppers, and tomatoes.

“Sukker Schuppen does a lot of school field trips, but I think we were the first school they ever sold maple syrup to. I don't think they’d ever thought of it before!” -Cheryl Neyens, Food Service Manager

Diana Carolina Rojas Paiba, owner of Mi Casita Spanish Immersion Daycare based out of Minneapolis, installed a raised bed garden at her early care. She hopes through this process, kids learn how to eat more healthily, without worrying where the money will come from to purchase the food, and that by taking care of the plants, they can depend on them as a source of food.

“Teaching kids about where their food comes from is so important! Understanding the farm-to-table process allows them to have a greater appreciation for the foods we eat, the farmers that grow them, and the process it takes to get our food to our bellies.”

“By providing opportunities for the children to engage and learn, they will be proud to help provide healthy meals to bring home. They will try new foods and recipes and be excited to engage in lifelong learning about healthy living and eating.” -Roxanne Stinar

Lisa has implemented many farm to early care-related activities at her early care. She has an imaginary play area with fruits and veggies, and also tried out growing food with the kids she cares for this year. She says, “[Gardening] was a chance for kids to watch things grow, and eat them. One kid loves cherry tomatoes, and one day we were able to pick 25! A couple of kids that weren’t sure took a bite too.”