The McMinnville School District (MSD)’s Food Service program was on display last week when the Northwest Food Buyers Alliance visited Newby Elementary and McMinnville High School under the tutelage of Jeri Paull, the district’s catering manager.
The tour highlighted the district’s use of local farm produce that’s regular fare for McMinnville school children as part of the Farm to School and the Oregon Harvest for Schools programs.
The visitors, who were joined by MSD School Board member Dr. Scott Schieber, were guided through a lunch period with Newby kindergarten and first grade students. The students chose fresh corn on the cob, pears and apples that had been delivered to the school the day before, according to Paull.
“These are from Stephens Farm, which is one of the local farmers we buy from regularly,” said Paull, who also helped lead the group through the crops at Stephens Farm. “They are one of the local growers who can deliver enough in bulk to feed students across the district.”
The group also visited the high school where MSD Wellness Manager Caroline Hamina showed healthy meals that included milk, applesauce, whole grain pita with homemade sun butter hummus, along with cut celery, carrots and cucumbers.
20 September, 2016