From the Inside

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Meghan E. Murphy on December 7, 2009 at 8:51pm

Walter, I'm so glad you are on this site! You will be a great resource with insight into how the purchasing etc works. I've been thinking of starting a project in Highland SD (where I just bought a home) or in New Paltz to get more farm produce in the school district. What, if any, farm to school is already going on in New Paltz and area schools that you know of?

Permalink Reply by Walter Earl on December 7, 2009 at 9:12pm

Very little. I buy local produce as much as is possible but delivery and cost are a big problem with local farms. We use a purveyor in New Paltz (Red Barn) that has local stuff and I try to use it when I can.

Permalink Reply by Lara McGlynn on February 8, 2010 at 5:34pm

Meghan,

My daughter's school, Marbletown Elementary (MES) in Stone Ridge, has a group that worked to put in a garden outside the cafeteria that is now a member of the Rondout Vally Growers Association. There has been action there for the school to purchase fresh, local food which is happening when the season permits. This past school year, they have started carrying Ronnybrook milk and yogurt too (out of Ancramdale, NY). The district as a whole seems to be going in this direction. This past Friday, the high school put together an evening called "A Taste of Rondout" in which they had local eateries come together at MES where the public come come taste what these local chef had to offer for only $5 a head. All the proceeds went to Haiti relief.
I saw this discussion and thought I'd mention it.

Lara

Permalink Reply by Walter Earl on February 8, 2010 at 7:07pm

I actually live in the Rondout district and my wife and I were always impressed by the cooperation between the interested parents and staff of the school. My son graduated from there and will graduate from SUNY Oswego this spring. There seems to be more emphasis on $$$ than healthy food in the New Paltz district.

Permalink Reply by allyson levy on February 28, 2010 at 9:47pm

Hi,

My husband and I were responsible for building & designing the edible garden at MES. With the help of the principal, and two other moms, Nicci Cagan & MaryJane Nussbaum we were able to galvanize the staff and the students in planting, nuturing and growing MES school's garden. I worked as the head gardener this year and last in having the classes sow and raise seedlings in their classes to plant in the school garden. Every class was responsible for taking care of the garden, and with the support of our custodial staff each week a different class gut salad greens for their Friday lunch.
Last Fall my husband and I designed a garden for Rondout Valley's middle school and with the help of the students, staff and community we were able to put the bones of the garden in place. This Spring (april 17th) we are having a Spring Planting day for the garden and plan to put in many different edible crops, using the garden as a demonstration garden to teach kids about food.
What I have learned from this is it takes a motivated individual(s) to keep a project like this going, that even with all the support, schools do not have the budget (and at this point in time do not find it necessary) to fund projects like this.
I will continue to volunteer my skills in gardening for as long as feasible, while trying to teach the teachers about gardening so they will use the space as if it was another classroom. My goal is to help put in school gardens and teach teachers how to use it for their classroom studies. Like a plant, school gardens need time to sow, and then they need to be nurtured for many years to develop healthy roots at which point they can be left to their own with just a bit of tending to.

Allyson Levy

Permalink Reply by Carrie Carson on March 9, 2011 at 8:40pm

Hi Allyson,
Glad to hear progress is being made on the middle school garden! I remember putting up the grass couch with Mark...how is it doing?

I am glad that I can keep up with the news in this community even though am in VA @school. can't wait to be home and get involved in the local food movement again this summer :)

Carrie Carson

Permalink Reply by Lara McGlynn on February 8, 2010 at 11:37pm

I am sad to hear that New Paltz is like that. It's funny, I would have thought the opposite. Congrats to your son! It's nice to hear that cooperation between parents and the Rondout Schools has a good track record.

Permalink Reply by Helen Coyle Bergstein on February 11, 2010 at 9:45pm

Who is cooking and buying for new paltz high school?

Permalink Reply by Walter Earl on February 11, 2010 at 10:32pm

As Head Cook I prepare the many items that the satellite kitchens dont have the time or equipment to prepare. The High School is a little different from the rest of the district in the larger scope of menu options and equipment/space available for prep. So many individual items made to order are done there in addition to the main menu'ed entrees that I would have a hand in making.
I purchase the produce used. Most of the rest is subject to the bid process and is purchased by the Foodservice Director.