Board approves farm to school

Students in Weston County School District No. 1 will eventually be eating locally produced meat, and possibly produce as well, after the board of trustees voted to implement a farm to school program in Newcastle schools. 
Superintendent Brad LaCroix recommended during the Aug. 31 regular meeting that the Newcastle district’s board implement the program. 
Trustees Billy Fitzwater, Jason Jenkins and Dana Mann-Tavegia advocated for the program, and with the help of LaCroix and food service director Denise Anderson, the group was able to hammer out the details and prepare the school for the transition. 
Anderson reported to the News Letter Journal that the school is mainly looking at using locally sourced beef but that local produce can also be donated and used as long as it has not previously been washed or cut. 
According to Fitzwater, who reported on Aug. 31, the meat donated to the school does not have to be corn fed and can also be from a lame animal. Donations can come in the form of beef or swine, although pork would not be used regularly because of the high salt content. 
The cost savings are unknown at this time, Anderson said. 
“I am not sure how much it would save the district as this is the first year we are doing this, but it tastes better,” she said. “The cost associated for the district would be what the packing plant charges to process and package. I may be able to write a grant to cover these costs for the next school year.” 
At this time, the district has faced no challenges associated with the program, Anderson said, because no donations have been received. 
Jenkins said on Aug. 31 that the biggest hurdle will be storage space for the meat, noting that it could take some time and money to get the school prepared to receive donations. He added that the district has plenty of people to help the district through the “red tape.” 
Anyone looking to donate meat or produce to the school is encouraged to reach out to the district and visit with LaCroix or any board member. 
If the donation is beef, the district will need to find a facility for it to be processed. Federal requirements state that the beef must be processed at a state-certified slaughter and packing plant or a U.S. Department of Agriculture-certified facility if it is out of state. 
“They (donors) are responsible for taking the beef to the packing plant when we find one that is available and a date they can accept. The animal does have to be taken to the plant alive,” Anderson said. 
During the Aug. 31 meeting, parent Katrina Carr-Tysdal said that she was aware of several individuals who were ready and excited to donate beef to the district. 
The purpose of the Farm to School program, according to the Wyoming guide for schools, is to bring nutritious, locally produced foods to school children and communities nationwide. The program provides the opportunity to teach students where their food comes from and who grows it, in addition to instilling healthy eating habits. 
“Use of local produce in cafeterias also gives local producers a new direct market and mitigates the effects of transporting food long distances,” the guide says. 
The program network aims to support community-based food systems, strengthen family farms, reduce childhood obesity and improve student nutrition habits. 
“Farm to School not only aids children in gaining agriculture and nutritional knowledge, but also benefits local producers and helps foster stronger community,” the guide states. 
Weston County School District No. 7 already uses the program. The Upton district announced that it was serving meat produced by the Miller family — Ty, Briley, Cooper, Jorie and Knox — on Sept. 14.