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GARDINER — Schools all across the state participated in Maine Harvest Lunch Week, Sept. 18 through 22, a designated time each year for schools to celebrate the bountiful produce and agricultural products offered by Maine local producers.
In addition to supporting local economies through these purchases, buying food locally requires shorter travel distance and lower transportation costs, often resulting in fresher, more nutritious food. During this week, MSAD #11 students in MSAD #11 — comprised of students in Gardiner, Pittston, Randolph and West Gardiner — enjoyed wholesome meals showcasing local foods.
The hearty shepherd’s pie featured local ground beef supplied by Emery’s Meat Market of Gardiner. It was accompanied by a cool, creamy cole slaw with local carrots and cabbage from Andrew’s Farm of Gardiner. Lastly, a crisp, juicy apple from Bailey’s Orchard of Whitefield rounded out the tray. The MSAD #11 nutrition staff work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure students are provided with nutritious meals, and their efforts to incorporate as much local food as possible is an added benefit for the area and its students.
MSAD #11 school Teresa C. Hamlin Elementary is looking beyond the cafeteria to introduce students to local foods. The school campus now boasts five raised garden beds students will get to interact with throughout the school year. With the help of a FoodCorps service member, students will receive hands-on lessons in cooking, nutrition and gardening, and the school will continue showcasing healthy foods in the cafeteria, developing a school-wide culture of health.
On their Maine Harvest Lunch Day Sept. 21, T.C. Hamlin students were welcomed to participate in a taste test of freshly-picked cherry tomatoes grown in the school garden. Some enthusiastic students even helped harvest full-sized tomatoes to top the chef’s salads to be served at lunch the following week.
