Farm to School: May 2025 Newsletter

May 12

Wrapping Up a Delicious School Year

Hello everyone! As the vibrant greens of spring burst forth, so too does our latest edition of the Farm to School newsletter! Can you believe May is already here? While the warmer weather and the promise of summer vacation are exciting, it also marks the winding down of the traditional school year and the culmination of two impactful years under the current Local Food for Schools Program.

Over these past two school years, the LFS program has been more than just bringing fresh, local ingredients to our cafeterias. It has been about cultivating meaningful relationships – connections between students and the land that nourishes them, between school food staff and the dedicated farmers who work tirelessly, and among educators who have embraced local food as a powerful learning tool. We've witnessed firsthand the growth of understanding, appreciation, and community spirit that these relationships have fostered.

Culinary Creations from Our School Kitchens

Let's take a moment to celebrate the delicious journey. This month, we'll reflect on the incredible work of school food service staff. We've been so inspired by the pictures shared from our cafeterias, showcasing their creativity and dedication in preparing delicious and nutritious meals featuring local foods for students. These images truly highlight their vital role in bringing the farm to school vision to life. As we wrap up this school year, we'll also look ahead to how we can continue to nurture these vital connections between our students, local food, and the dedicated individuals who make it all possible, both on the farm and in our school kitchens. Get ready for a glimpse at those wonderful cafeteria creations as we sow the seeds for future farm to school endeavors, built on the strong foundation of the relationships we've cultivated.

A Note of Gratitude from Our Farmers

From the fields of Indiana, our farmers send a heartfelt thank you for the truly amazing two years of the Local Food for Schools program. This partnership has been instrumental in fostering the growth and sustainability of small Indiana farms, creating meaningful opportunities for numerous farmworkers who are the backbone of our local food system.

To the incredible food service directors and staff: your dedication and creativity in embracing local foods are a constant source of inspiration. You are not only nourishing our students but also building a stronger, more resilient local food economy. Thank you for your tireless efforts and your commitment to this important work.

Indiana Grown for Schools - Harvest of the Month

Website:
https://www.ingrown4schools.com/har
vest-of-the-month

Asparagus Fun Facts

In peak season, asparagus can grow up to 2 inches a day.

Asparagus is most commonly green but can also be purple or white. White asparagus is the result of growing the plant in the dark.

An asparagus plant can live for up to 15 years.

<<< FEATURED RECIPES >>>

Beef and Aspragus Rice Bowl

Components: Grains, Meat/Meat Alternative, Other, Vegetable

Source: USDA Recipes for Healthy Kids

Servings: 50 servings

1 Serving Provides: 2 ounces Meat/Meat Alternate, 2 ounces Grains, 1/4 cup Vegetables (other)

Serving Size: 1 cup rice + 8 ounce spoodle

One 8 ounce spoodle portion weighs 9 ounces.

Roasted Asparagus

Components: Other, Vegetable

Source: Food Hero

Servings: 48 & 96

1 Serving Provides:

CACFP: ½ cup Vegetables
NSLP: ½ cup Vegetables
SFSP: ½ cup Vegetables

Serving Size: ½ Cup

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

Build a program that honors indigenous stewardship throughout the garden, classroom, and cafeteria. In this webinar, learn from Hardin School District, MT, and how they’ve incorporated community feedback to create curriculum highlighting local tribes and events reflecting ancestral community gatherings.

REGISTER HERE

Landscape Design Course, instructors will introduce participants to the basic steps and elements of landscape design that can be used to plan a youth friendly garden that is engaging and appealing to youth and their communities. Course is $25.

ENROLL HERE!

Don't miss the National Children & Youth Garden Symposium in Hartford, CT, this summer! KidsGardening will be there for all three days filled with keynotes, learning sessions, field trips, and more!

REGISTER HERE

The 10th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference is the premier event for anyone passionate about bringing local food to institutional settings and driving positive change in the food system. Whether you’re a food service professional, farmer, educator, policymaker, entrepreneur, or student, this conference offers invaluable opportunities to network, learn, and share knowledge with others who are shaping the future of food access and sustainability.

REGISTER HERE

UPDATES

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉

The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub 2025 awards cycle is moving forward. This fantastic initiative will fund community-driven collaborations dedicated to reimagining school meals.

Keep an eye out – both Spark and Innovation Collaborative Awards are anticipated to be released in late 2025.

We'll share updates soon, so please check the website for the latest information!

For questions, please reach out to Indiana State Leads:

Veronica Jalomo: veronica@nwifoodcouncil.org

Virginia Pleasant: virginia@nwifoodcouncil.org

Farm to School Fellows Poised to Strengthen Indiana's Food System

Our sincere congratulations to the dedicated individuals who successfully completed the Farm to School Fellowship! This program, supported by the USDA and the Indiana Department of Health and administered by the NWI Food Council, brought together professionals from various schools, state agencies, and organizations, all united by a shared vision for a stronger food system in Indiana.

We are especially pleased to recognize the participation of school food service leaders: Camille Medina, Assistant Director of Food Services for Michigan City Area Schools, and Matt Tomrell, Director of Food Service for Monroe County Community School Corporation, in this valuable training. Alongside colleagues from across the state, Camille and Matt participated in eight learning modules focused on farm-to-school coordination and value chain development. They are now applying their expertise to capstone projects that are expected to make significant contributions to farm-to-school initiatives throughout Indiana. We commend all the fellows for their dedication and eagerly anticipate the positive outcomes of their collaborative work!

RESOURCES

Farm to School Office Hours

Join Farm to School Coordinators from the Indiana Grown for Schools Network and other farm to school and early care stakeholders each month to discuss and find answers to your questions related to local foods. Farm to school office hours are on the third Wednesday of each month from 3:30 - 4:30 PM ET. You can request a monthly calendar hold by emailing Brianna Goode at bgoode@health.in.gov