The Whole Carrot is a monthly e-newsletter for friends, supporters, and partners of MPS Culinary & Wellness Services brought to you by the Student Wellness team of MPS Culinary & Wellness Services--which includes Farm to School, School Gardens, Nutrition Education, Safe Routes to School, and other active living efforts. It contains wellness news, events, opportunities and more. Enjoy!
Winter Wellness Week Is Coming ~ February 5-9!
Minneapolis Public Schools is planning for its second annual WINTER WELLNESS WEEK with themed days and events designed to foster a culture of social, emotional, and physical well-being across the district and to encourage finding joy in Minnesota Winter.
We will also support Winter Walk Day on February 7th with stickers and other incentives, so watch for the school sign up in our next newsletter.
Contact jennifer.bordon@mpls.k12.mn.us if you would like to join the planning team.
And you don't have to wait until Winter Wellness Week to find JOY in Minnesota winter. The FIRST-EVER Winter Open Streets at Holidazzle happens on Saturday, December 16th from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. The route: Nicollet from 5th St S to Grant St; Grant St from Nicollet to Holidazzle in Loring Park. Our Pillsbury Pedal Power friends plan to be there. Hope you are too!!!
Eating local is all the rage. By sourcing local ingredients, we reduce our carbon footprint and produce outstanding meals for our students--
a win-win!
Jr Iron Chef Turkey Chili Ferndale Market
Cannon Falls, MN Corn Bread Whole Grain Milling
Welcome, MN Sweet Potato Wedges Driftless Organics
Soldiers Grove, WI Creamy Coleslaw Driftless Organics
Soldiers Grove, WI
& Open Hands Farm
Northfield, MN Annie B's Caramel Kellogg, MN
Thanks to funding from the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership, we have purchased a second bicycle fleet, effectively doubling the number of teachers who can implement the Walk! Bike! Fun! curriculum during the school day. The fleet will be outfitted by our fantastic friends at Minneapolis Public Schools Plant Operations and Maintenance, one of the many partners helping to achieve the vision of universal bicycle education outlined in the Minneapolis Public Schools Safe Routes to School Strategic Action Plan.
Farmer Information Meeting
MPS Culinary & Wellness Services is seeking Farm to School partner farms for the 18-19 school year. Help us spread the word!
Interested in learning how our Farm to School program works? Curious if your farm or products might be a good fit for our program? Join us for our upcoming informational meeting!
Farmer Information Meeting
When: December 14th, 10:30-11:30am
Where: MPS Culinary Center, 812 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis 55411 Who: Farmers, farm cooperatives, food hubs, aggregators and other interested parties. Everyone is welcome!
Attendees will learn about the Farm to School process, desired produce items and quantities for the 18-19 school year, the Farm to School Request for Proposal (RFP) bidding process, and more. Visit our Farm to School website to learn more.
Questions about our Farm to School Program and/or the Farmer Info Meeting?
Contact kate.seybold@mpls.k12.mn.us or 612-668-2852
MnDOT ~ Safe Routes to School Planning Grant ~ Due January 5, 2018
Since 2006, MnDOT has funded SRTS planning at almost 300 schools across Minnesota. SRTS plans have been used engage community stakeholders to identify barriers and opportunities for youth to walk and bicycle to school and to leverage significant investments in infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions. Seward Montessori completed a SRTS plan and many of the recommendations have come into fruition. Click on the plan to get an idea of what the final product can look like. This year Northrop and Whittier are working on plans. Contact jennifer.bordon@mpls.k12.mn.us for assistance if you plan to apply.
Embracing wellness during the holiday season doesn't need to be difficult. Check out the CDC’s infographic for easy ways to keep healthy over the holidays. Regarding sleep--note that children need much more sleep than their parents. See the CDC guidelines by age.
You can still have a cookie (or two or three)--but make sure you continue to eat your fruit and veggies too! Check these recipes for "healthier" types of holiday cookies.
SMART SNACKS MADE EASY
Need snacks for an event happening at school? There's no need to drive to the warehouse store. Parent groups and PTA's can order snacks directly from the school's food service coordinator. These snacks comply with Smart Snack standards required by Minneapolis Public School's Wellness Policy 6690.
SAVE THE DATES Feb 5-9: Winter Wellness Week Feb 7: Winter Walk Day Feb 7-9: Winter True Food Taste Test April 25-27: Spring True Food Taste Test May 9: Walk/Bike to School Day, Let's Roll
May 7-11: Spring Wellness Week
TRUE FOOD TASTE TESTS
Thank you to all of our volunteers for helping us serve over
19,000 samples of KID KIMCHI!
The kimchi was definitely more than just "MN spicy," but the heat proved to be a hit among students! Read more about it in the Star Tribune's article.
