The Clyde-Savannah Central School District has received $100,000 from New York State’s Farm-to-School program, an initiative intended to boost the use of locally sourced food in schools, improve student health, and economically benefit local farmers. The district, a first-time recipient of these funds, was one of ten to share over $850,000 in the latest round of funding, as announced by Governor Kathy Hochul. The Farm-to-School program facilitates the inclusion of state-grown produce in K-12 school menus and seeks to overcome hurdles to procuring, storing, and serving local food.
The Clyde-Savannah project aims to expand existing connections with farmers and distributors of New York farm products, in addition to fostering new relationships. Emphasis will also be placed on creating a new curriculum centered on sustainable farming and gardening practices. This curriculum will incorporate a greenhouse, providing hands-on nutrition education for grades 1-12 on topics such as healthy eating and food production, preparation, and preservation.
Clyde-Savannah Superintendent Mike Hayden lauded the grant as a reflection of the district’s commitment to student health and sustainability, expressing gratitude to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. Since its inception in 2015, the Farm-to-School program has disbursed over $7.1 million to 61 districts and not-for-profit organizations working with schools and farms across the state.
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