DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will be at the Independence Middle School this Friday, August 7 at 10:30 a.m. to help clean and prepare fresh sweet corn, zucchini and green beans for students to enjoy during the upcoming school year. The effort is part of the “Farm to School” program that is overseen by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
The Independence Farm to School Chapter received $5,000 from the Department to implement activities designed to increase the amount of local foods available to students and help educate students about locally grown foods.
Adult and student volunteers from within the community and school will be working throughout the day on Friday to prepare and freeze the fresh vegetables and local residents are encouraged to come and help as well.
The Independence School District is an innovative leader for this relatively new program. Among the activities they have participated in include serving locally-grown sweet corn for a meal at the high school last fall and strawberries and bell peppers at the middle school. They have also made local apples available in the whole district on eight occasions. This energized chapter has even started a school garden to begin feeding themselves.
Who: Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
What: “Farm to School” Volunteer Event to Prepare for Upcoming School Year
When: 10:30 a.m., Friday, Aug. 7, 2009
Where: Independence Middle School, 1301 1st St. W, Independence
How: For more information about the event contact Kelly Duritsa, food service director for Independence School District, at 319-334-7423. Or, to learn more about the Iowa Farm to School Program you can visit the Department’s website www.iowaagriculture.gov or contact Tammy Stotts at 515-281-7657.
