View this email in your browser
to see some great graphics and photos

We know that now, more than ever, it is important to stay connected to our community.

So as school closures extend into the summer, we want to thank the farmers and school nutrition professionals that are working around the clock to support their communities!

You can share your story on social media using #CommunitiesFeedKids to help us spread the message and say "Thank you!"

Resources and News

What's been happening in our community?

FoodCorps has put together a wide variety of resources to help families and students stay engaged in Farm to school activities from the safety of their homes.

Dayle Hayes MS, RD, put together "Food, Fun, and Creativity in the time of COVID 19" as a comprehensive look at the creative ways School Nutrition Professionals are getting food to families across the country. Click Here to check it out

New Britain ROOTS is in full swing and they are ready to install hex bed gardens at 3 elementary schools this summer, completing their goal of a garden at every school in New Britain by 2020. Check out their Facebook page for more updates on their work in the city of New Britain.

Ernie Koschmieder, food service director of Groton Public Schools, CT was one of two recipients of the SNF Collection Grant for school meal program equipment, which will help them continue to participate in Farm to School even during this time of school closure.

Visit our Facebook page for more stories that highlight the current news in farming and school nutrition

Farmers to Families Food Box Program

As a part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, the USDA has put millions of dollars toward farms and organizations to create a combination box of fresh produce, dairy, or meat products. Suppliers will package these products into family-sized boxes, then transport them to food banks, community and faith-based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need.

What is the connection to Farm to School? As farms and organizations find innovative ways to create online ordering systems to aggregate local products, these systems will adapt to serve schools and other institutions. New relationships that emerge to bring local food into our communities will grow stronger through this crisis. Emergent connections, new marketing innovations, online platforms, and the shifting need for local products will find their ways onto our schools to the benefit of all children and families who deserve healthy, delicious meals!

"From the Cafeteria"

A message from The Integrated Day Charter School in Norwich:

"Ashley here, at The Integrated Day Charter School in Norwich. My team of 3 produce breakfast and lunch meals for our small, tight-knit community. We are a 1 school district so the majority of what goes out is to our students since our local district has many sites around the town. We put out about 350 meals a week."

New London Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services are distributing meals to 36 sites which amount to roughly 1,400 meals a day.

From the Fields...

What a crazy early May! Cooler than average temperatures brought a snow squall to many farms in the state. Flowers on strawberries and tree fruits sent farmers scrambling for frost protections to save tender buds.

Strawberry season begins early June and will be a delicious part of our
Spring Smoothie Slurp!

On top of getting so many spring crops in the ground from peas and radishes to kale and onions, farmers are scrambling to adapt to COVID-19. Many farms created online ordering platforms where customers can pick up preordered greens, radishes, scallions, and seedlings for your own gardens.

CSA's across the state are selling out at record rates! Folks know local food is the best bet to get fresh and delicious produce throughout this season of uncertainty. Looking for a CSA? T his list from the Department of Ag has a comprehensive list of farms.

Check out the farms on our Farmer Directory if you are looking for seedlings, CSA's, or farm stands as many of them have product to sell!

Sun peeks out at Cecarelli Farm in Northford. This strawberry field is protected by frost from overhead irrigation to protect vulnerable strawberry buds from frost damage. Farmer Will summed it the Spring season as "Cold, Wet, Sluggish" He also says, "I did land a USDA Farmers to Families food box contract!!!! So I have a bit of security in that and it will end up going to people that most need it."

Check out our Willow Family Farm as they launch their season with beautiful early harvests. Even in the greenhouse, early peas get an extra covering to keep heat close to the ground. This photo is a few weeks old and now the spinach is ready for harvest, the onions have been planted and peas ready to begin trellising.

Becca is helping with communications so you know the who, what, where, and how of putting local on your tray. After spending time working on farms and helping with communications for non-profits, she has now joined the UCONN Extension staff as the Communications Coordinator. She primarily works on special projects but is also there to support the Put Local On Your Tray Program and CT Farm to School Collaborative.

Many partners are working together to make a robust Farm to School Community in our state. Check out the CT Farm to School Collaborative at www.ctfarmtoschool.org

Copyright ©

Our mailing address is:
24 Hyde Ave
Vernon, CT 06066

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences
Put Local on Your Tray · Tolland County Extension Center · 24 Hyde Ave. · Vernon, Ct 06066 · USA