Fond du Lac Ojibwe School, Cloquet, MN

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.

With support from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Farm to School grants, the school has built strong relationships with local and Indigenous farmers and expanded the use of local foods in school meals. Staff across the school worked together to make the program successful, bringing food education into classrooms, the cafeteria, and even gym classes. Today, buying local and serving culturally meaningful foods has become a lasting part of how the school feeds and supports its students and community.