North Winneshiek and Decorah schools are getting a taste of locally-grown food in October

Decorah students sample locally-grown food

Decorah and North Winneshiek students are getting a taste of locally produced food in October, thanks to farm-to-school initiatives supported by the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative.

October is National Farm to School Month, where the focus is on eating local foods as part of school lunches along with conducting school-based activities to promote healthier eating. Local items are on the school lunch menu all month at Decorah and North Winneshiek school districts as well as at St. Benedict School.

Decorah Schools feature local items every week for Farm to School Month like apples from Peake Orchards and yogurt from Country View Dairy.  Decorah School District food service director Jane Bullerman has brought in cucumbers for cucumber salad and cantaloupe, both from State Line Organic Produce.

Throughout the month, Megan Woodward, the FFI AmeriCorps volunteer for Decorah Schools, is working with Chad Elliot, culinary director for Decorah Schools, to do taste tests at John Cline and Carrie Lee Elementary schools.

Over the past three years, schools in Northeast Iowa have partnered with the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative to celebrate Home Grown School Lunch Week, an event that honors local food and farms.