With the support of a coach, teams will spend the next year putting their plans into action. The Danbury Team, led by Dr. Anne Mead, Director of Family, School, and Community Partnerships, and joined by Ceri Burke, R.N., Head of Nursing Services for Danbury School, Michael Guerrero, Director of the Morris St Family Resource Center, Robin McAllister, Teacher of the Morris St. Garden Club, Heather Peracchio MS, RDN, CD-N

Assistant UCONN Extension Educator -SNAP-Ed and EFNEP Supervisor, and Sierra Rigland and Barry Mollengarden, DPS School Meals, will work on the plan over the next year. John Turenne, the Food Service manager from Branford Public Schools has been designated as the team Coach.

“This is an opportunity to add more local fresh vegetables into our cafeterias, offer food tasting in classrooms, and engage families in the growing process. Many of our schools already have gardens and we plan on expanding these, as well as working with local farmers to use their produce in our school menus” said Dr. Mead.

Superintendent Casimiro echoed Dr Mead’s comments: “This program starts the beginning of educating students and families about the importance of eating a clean and healthy diet, while also providing an immediate nutritional benefit. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the CT Farm to School Initiative.”

The beginning of the Danbury Action Plan includes hosting the taste testing of new recipes with students. In September, the students at two schools taste tested Apple Cabbage Salad with Cranberries and in October, they will taste test Butternut Squash and Apple Casserole. The cabbage, apples, and butternut squash have been purchased from a local farm in Bethel. Feedback from children on the Apple Cabbage Salad was “I liked it” and “very crunchy and fresh” to “I’ll try it next time.” It takes children a few times to acquire the taste for new food. Our goal in the Institute is to lower the number of processed foods in school meals by increasing the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables consumed during meal time. More fresh items help to keep children healthier and widen the variety of food eaten.

We have seen how successful Farm to School programs can grow by utilizing the Institute model of connecting classrooms, cafeterias and communities," said Lisa Lenskold, CT Farm to School Institute Project Director. For Danbury Schools, the cafeteria staff will take training on preparing different foods while students in classrooms learn about the growing cycle, better nutrition, and wellness activities. The Danbury Team will be at the October 5th Danbury Farmers Market to kick off CT Grown for CT Kids Week with a weeklong celebration in the community. Join us in kicking off this week that celebrates farmers and the wonderful fruits of their labor.

Anne E. Mead, Ed. D. is the Director of Family, School, and Community Partnerships for Danbury Public Schools. She can be reached at 203-830-6508 or by email at meadan@danburyu.k12.ct.us.