SALEM — The city’s schools were recently awarded funding to expand their local foods purchasing and food literacy education, including classroom education on nutrition and where our food comes from, as well as hands-on learning in school gardens.
Salem Public Schools was awarded $133,000 over 18 months through a grant program offered by the state Department of Early and Secondary Education. The program is called the Massachusetts Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health through Coordination and Optimization of Resources and Partnerships (FRESH CORP) Grant, and intended to expand and formalize food system education for pre-K through eighth-grade students.
According to the city, funds will be used to hire Farm to School consultants who will work with Salem educators and administrators to develop a standards-based curriculum accessible to all pre-K, elementary, and middle school teachers. Food literacy will also be included in ongoing professional development for staff.
Salem schools will begin this next phase of its farm-to-school education efforts in the new school year, with planning and curriculum development beginning immediately, according to the city.
This classroom programming will build upon the existing Salem Food and Nutrition Services team’s farm-to-school program in the cafeterias. The program, led by program director Michaela Short, has allowed students to regularly participate in Harvest of the Month tasting and meet local farmers and fishers who supply ingredients for school meals.
“We are thrilled and grateful to receive such a generous grant from DESE,” Superintendent Steve Zrike said. “It is important that our students understand the value of supporting our local farms and growers. They will benefit greatly from this educational program, which will expand their knowledge of food literacy and strengthen local food systems in our schools.”
“The positive impact of nutrition and school garden education on students’ physical and mental health is well-documented, and we are proud that Salem Public Schools is recognized as a leader in the Farm to School initiative,” Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said. “This generous DESE award will help connect the important work our Food & Nutrition Services team has done in cafeterias to the classroom and school gardens.”
For more information on the Massachusetts FRESH CORP initiative, visit massfarmtoschool.org/mafresh-grant/.
Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202