Numerous communities throughout Faribault, Martin and Watonwan Counties are initiating community gardens to help provide opportunities for fresh produce in our communities. Additionally, a number of resources are being developed to help lower income residents access locally grown produce.
Faribault County
The Wells Community Garden, located at The Haven, is beginning its second year and has added an additional 10 plots and 11 new families will be gardening. A garden blog has been set up for gardeners to be able to ask questions and keep updated on events and classes scheduled. Minnesota Green, a part of the Minnesota Horticulture Society provided hundreds of seed packets for use in public/community spaces and all community gardeners in Faribault, Martin and Watonwan Counties benefitted. The Wells Community Garden will be working with the City of Wells HRA to provide Earth boxes for gardening in public housing settings. Additionally, the farmers’ market is being promoted and expanded in Wells with advertising for new vendors. New signage is being provided to advertise hours and direct shoppers to the market. Fresh produce vouchers are being offered to the Wells Area Food Shelf and WIC participants.
Martin County
A new community garden is being established on land near Heritage Meadows in Fairmont. 200 20x20 plots are available to the community. Additionally, a new campaign, ‘I’ve gone Local!’, is being launched to encourage people to support local foods by utilizing farmers’ markets in the county. Vouchers will be available for low income families to help provide locally grown foods through famers’ market programs. For more information about the Fairmont Community Garden, contact Linda Meschke at linda@ruraladvantage.org or by phone at 507-238-5449. Additionally, Martin County 4-H is establishing garden clubs to oversee box gardens at various sites throughout the Fairmont Community. For more information on the 4-H project, contact Rachael Janssen at 507-235-3341.
Watonwan County
The University of Minnesota Extension in Watonwan County continues to expand community gardens throughout the county. Gardens are available in St. James, Butterfield and Madelia. If you don't have the green space for a garden, check out the gardens in a box in the mobile home park in St. James. These gardens are a great opportunity to bring the community together, increase access to nutritious foods, and to increase physical activity. If you're having a hard time growing those tomato plants, don't hesitate to ask for help from the team of Master Gardeners. To learn more about these gardens, contact Kathy Lillevold, U of M Extension Coordinator at 507-375-1275 or lille015@umn.edu. St. James Farmers Market is starting out with a new breath of fresh air this summer! Looking for fresh fruit and veggies? Stop on down to the St. James Farmers Market--downtown parking lot, located in between the VFW and the Legion. Want to sell your own home produce? Contact Molly Westman or Jake Sturm- Farmers Market Coordinators at sjeda@stjames.govoffice.com, or jakeasturm@gmail.com
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Area schools gearing up to pass wellness policies
Four school districts in FMW Counties have spent the past year working to revise their school wellness policies and implement practices to ensure students have access to nutritious foods and physical activity during the school day. This will provide them with a head start to implementing the new USDA changes for school foods coming in the next year.
Sharon Hoyt, School Nurse, is heading up the project for Blue Earth Area Schools. Their policy details standards for all foods served through school meals, snacks, vending and concessions. Alternatives for birthday celebrations such as choosing the game for recess and healthy snacks at milk breaks, was presented to the school board in May. The board is expected to decide on the policy at their June meeting. They have made a number of healthy changes, changing from white bread to whole grain, and from 2% milk to skim or 1%. They have also incorporated a grab-n-go breakfast option which allow students to choose healthy breakfast items and charge to their school food account.
Laura Kramer, School Nurse, is heading up the project for Martin County West Schools. Their policy is nearly completed and includes standards for all foods served through school meals, snacks, vending and concessions with specific language regarding allowable foods in the classroom. They have convened a student group to help educate students about the changes and to promote healthier eating in school. Additionally, the school will be purchasing salad bars to ensure all students have access to fresh fruit and vegetables every day.
Suzanne Martin, School Nurse, is heading up the project for United South Central Schools. They are still in the process of drafting their policy and implementation process. They have made a number of healthy changes to their lunch menu and continue to make great progress towards their goals. Their school will be purchasing a snack cart to provide healthy snacks to students.
Sharon Hoyt, School Nurse, is heading up the project for Blue Earth Area Schools. Their policy details standards for all foods served through school meals, snacks, vending and concessions. Alternatives for birthday celebrations such as choosing the game for recess and healthy snacks at milk breaks, was presented to the school board in May. The board is expected to decide on the policy at their June meeting. They have made a number of healthy changes, changing from white bread to whole grain, and from 2% milk to skim or 1%. They have also incorporated a grab-n-go breakfast option which allow students to choose healthy breakfast items and charge to their school food account.
Laura Kramer, School Nurse, is heading up the project for Martin County West Schools. Their policy is nearly completed and includes standards for all foods served through school meals, snacks, vending and concessions with specific language regarding allowable foods in the classroom. They have convened a student group to help educate students about the changes and to promote healthier eating in school. Additionally, the school will be purchasing salad bars to ensure all students have access to fresh fruit and vegetables every day.
Suzanne Martin, School Nurse, is heading up the project for United South Central Schools. They are still in the process of drafting their policy and implementation process. They have made a number of healthy changes to their lunch menu and continue to make great progress towards their goals. Their school will be purchasing a snack cart to provide healthy snacks to students.
All three schools are working with consultant Leslie Lytle, PhD, RD, to draft the wellness policies, create educational materials, provide training to food service staff and educate parents and teachers about the new changes.
Additionally, Jane Wolle, School Nurse with St. James Public Schools, has also been working with their wellness committee to revise the current wellness policy. Changes will include providing standards for foods served in schools, through vending, school snacks and celebrations. The new policy will be presented to the board in June.
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