HOULTON, Maine — In Aroostook County, potato farmers are now digging the last of their potatoes out of the ground and shipping them off to potato houses for storage or to other vendors.
Local students who participate in the school lunch program also benefit from the bounty of the harvest despite budget cuts and the implementation of the Healthy Hunger-Free
Kids Act in 2010 which made significant changes to the National School Lunch Program.
October is National Farm To School Month, a time in which thousands of schools, early care and education sites, farms, communities and organizations across the nation celebrate food education and healthy, locally grown food in schools.
Cindy Peterson, principal at Southside School, said that especially during the month of October, cooks use a lot of locally grown produce such as potatoes, green peppers and tomatoes in their meals.
“We also have fresh fruits and vegetables that we serve to our students during snack times,” she said. “They really love that.
She also said that students in the Breaking Ground course at Houlton High School also contribute fresh vegetables that are used on the salad bar and to cook meals at the school. Students in the Breaking Ground program learn about growing techniques, identify species of plants and plant seeds to grow in the district’s greenhouse.
