Berea schools and local farmer join to bring fresh food to cafeterias (OH)

Sun News ^ | 10/24/11 | Joanne Berger DuMound,

[EBH]

BEREA -- Locally-grown food was on the table at Grindstone Elementary School today.

The Berea school district is part of an initiative with the Cleveland Clinic, a local farmer and other entities to bring a healthy menu to elementary schools.

The Cuyahoga County Fair Board is considering an agreement with a local farmer to lease about 3/4ths of an acre behind its Junior Fair building. The farmer, who now has two plots in Cleveland, will grow fresh fruits and vegetables for the district. Members are expected to approve the agreement Oct. 27.

Beth Spinks, the Berea school district's supervisor of nutrition services, said it is a collaborative effort with Olmsted Falls schools, the fair board, Cleveland Clinic, Cuyahoga County Board of Health and The Ohio State University Extension service.

"We think this is sustainable," Spinks said. "The USDA is pushing the Farm-To-School program. We are very supportive of this idea."

[EBH]

On first sniff, this story sounds like a great 'feel good...teach the kids to grow food and eat good food' story. Considering many of us on FR are building our own small farms I thought I'd post this. The kid in the picture sure looks thrilled!

Then all kinds of things started popping out of the article. Words, that I blame FR for for teaching me to be very wary about and to the real history books I have been reading regarding the 'isms' of history.

sustainable, USDA, Cleveland Clinic, and the 'farmer gets to lease the land,' isn't it so convenient we see those common words woven into this article. The kids won't be growing their own local food, the government farmer and school are. And if they want to eat this 'healthy' food, then they have to be in school.

The first things 'isms' do is get control of the food supply. Government farms and cooperative farmers. I can't help but consider the new farming regulations in the past year all created to 'protect' us. And then here I am watching in my own town the advent of the small government farm with land leased to a local farmer to achieve the 'agenda.'

I can't help but consider the history of using starvation of the masses with government collective farms...and perhaps, well not perhaps given all the key elements expressed in this article...of America's version of the collective farm and education center.

Just look at all the agencies involved here for a little 3/4 acre 'school farm.'

And look at the amount of food the kids received. 5 lettuce leaves, a couple carrots, 2 slices of cucumber. I sure hope that wasn't the real lunch. It won't supply enough for even the brain to keep working.

[momtothree]

I’m looking at the plates and think, “Where’s the beef?!” No meat? That isn’t enough food to keep a runway model alive.

[steveab]

“And if they want to eat this ‘healthy’ food, then they have to be in school.”

Don’t get me wrong, I like to shop at “farmer markets”, but I have a problem with statement “this food is more healthy” than that “food” from so and so. Also there is one more statement that I hear that drives me up the wall. “Jobs that Americans won’t do”. Name one?

[EBH]

I had several thoughts when I looked at what was on that plate. First was it wasn't enough food, second nutritionally it doesn't support brain function for an afternoon of schoolwork, and they are propagandizing it as better food? It looks like a starvation poverty plate to me.

[EBH]

Our children are being brainwashed into thinking that the food at school is healthier than what Mom & Dad provide, because it came off the government farm at school.

[perez24]

I don’t think it was supposed to be lunch. I don’t think a lot of the stuff is grown in Ohio at this (or maybe any) time of year.

[perez24]

I don’t think it was supposed to be lunch. I don’t think a lot of the stuff is grown in Ohio at this (or maybe any) time of year.

[EBH]

Well....article says it was provided by a local farmer?

More propaganda?

[T-Bird45]

I don’t think a lot of the stuff is grown in Ohio at this (or maybe any) time of year.

Exactly my thought, especially as winter closes in. Wonder what "locally-grown" food shows up on that plate in February -- snowballs?

[CH3CN]

You can grow lots of leafy vegetables in a cold frame, or greenhouse constructed of plastic. Still, I believe this is all propaganda. It’s hard enough to grow enough in a cold frame for one family, let alone a school.

[momtothree]

EBH... I am on a 500 calorie a day diet right now. My lunch plate is more “filled” than the one in the picture. If a school wanted to grow food for its students... they should grow a seasonal fruit. I don’t know too many kids that will turn their noses up to some fresh strawberries or a nice slice of watermelon. It could simply be a “side” to whatever else they were eating. However, kids need some protein and some fat. This plate has neither.

[EBH]

Well keep in mind these kids are not in school during the summer. So seasonal stuff is meaningless to them...unless the government is going to go to school 365.

[momtothree]

Very true. We can have strawberries here at the end of the school year and watermelons a’plenty when school goes back after Summer. I am betting if they grew spuds.... what child doesn’t like mashed potatoes? I guess they are considered a starch and a no-no!

[perez24]

I know, but I don’t think organic Ohio farmers are growing celery this time of year.

[US Navy Vet]

Yeah until they find out that there is “E.Coli” on the “Fresh Food” because the DAMN MEXICANS have shit on their NASTY hands.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

E Coli on The Cob!