NORWICH – Amidst growing concern of what kids are getting in school lunches nationwide, the Norwich City School District is taking new steps to ensure its students are eating healthier and educating them about agriculture and the process of getting food from the farm to the table.
The school district is pursuing a plan add gardens of fresh fruits and vegetables at all four schools in the city school district.
The goal is to have a garden in the courtyards of the middle school, high school and Perry Browne Elementary, and have designated space for a fenced-in garden at Gibson Primary, explained School Food Service Director Sue Ryan.
The idea behind the garden project is to encourage healthier eating habits and incorporate more fresh foods in school lunches while teaching students where their food comes from.
“School lunch now has become a joke,” Ryan said, noting state and federal school lunch standards that are below par in terms of nutrition and healthy eating habits. “Incorporating the concept of farm to table is important. It’s something they can carry with them through adulthood ... We don’t want kids to be so far removed from knowing where their food comes from.”
Now finishing her first year as the district’s food service director, Ryan said she has significantly decreased the amount of processed foods while increasing the amount of fresh produce in her daily food orders. The garden project is the next move in making healthier foods more available to students.
“This would be a baby step of what it would be further down the road,” she added. In time, schools would be able to incorporate fresh garden foods to the lunches as the gardens grow bigger.
To help fund the project, Ryan is currently in the application process for a $500 micro-grant from the Chenango County Agricultural Development Council. Money awarded would be used for the purchase of seeds, top soil, a few starter plants and a composter for all four city schools.
Support from community volunteers and students is also essential in getting the project off the ground, Ryan noted. She’s seeking parents, students and other willing residents to donate top soil, seeds, plants, fencing and free time to help maintain the gardens.
“This would be a great opportunity for students to get involved in a hands-on project,” she said.
Ryan aims to begin planting within the next few days and said there may be enough produce available in the coming weeks to add to the school’s summer feeding program, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 9 through Aug. 10 at Rotary Park on Cortland Street.
The idea has already drummed up support of school faculty and administration. Principals are on board with the idea can’t wait to see gardens growing outside school windows.
“We’re very excited for it to come in. We’ve really been pushing for healthier foods here,” shared Lisa Schuchman, high school principal. “Incorporating the kids in the process of growing food and getting it to the table is important. I think they need to have that kind of responsibility.”
Schuchman explained that if the garden project is successful, hopes are to use garden vegetables in the school’s food and nutrition classes, as well as the life skills classes beginning early next school year.
To volunteer or donate supplies to the Norwich City School District’s garden project, contact Ryan at 334-1600, ext. 5410.