| OCTOBER 17, 2011 -- Governor Dannel P. Malloy officially proclaims October 16-22, 2011 Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids Week. The week is sponsored by the Departments of Agriculture and Education to support the CT Farm-to-School Program.
Schools are encouraged to participate in the celebration of the Connecticut farms and farmers that provide local, CT Grown food to schools.
“Within the Department of Agriculture, we facilitate and promote the sale of CT Grown farm products to schools through the Farm-to-School Program. This is a special week for the schools to celebrate the farmers who participate in the program.” said Agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky. “Working with other agencies, like the CT Department of Administrative Services, the Department of Education, and the School Nutrition Association of Connecticut, we create opportunities for farmers to sell products to schools by giving farmers and representatives from the foodservice industry a chance to meet.”
Farmers from across the state benefit from the school systems desire for local produce. Jean Palazzi, owner of Palazzi Orchard in East Killingly, delivers her fruit directly to many of the Northeastern Connecticut schools. Jean says, “Having the opportunity to sell directly to the schools has helped keep our farm in business. Schools are grateful to have fresh, local produce. We need more people to eat local to save our farms.”
Matt Couzens from Horse Listeners Orchards in Ashford agrees. “I love selling to schools because it helps the local employment and it gives us a chance to talk to schools about agriculture in Connecticut.” Couzens also participates in the Department of Defense Fresh Program, administered by the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services Procurement Program.
Futtner’s Family Farm in East Hartford works with the Hartford Public School System on a regular basis. Honora Futtner said, “Working with Lonnie Burt & Linda at the Hartford Public Schools is great. Lonnie was wonderful about bringing us to one of the Hartford schools to see how the kitchen functions. We had a tour of the school, which is a brand new ‘green’ facility. It was great.”
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture Farm to School Program applauds the school systems that take time out of their busy schedules to promote this year’s harvest and the farmers who grow food for their schools. From all corners of Connecticut, our CT Grown helps our farm economy. The Connecticut Farm to School Program thanks all the parents and schools for asking for and using CT Grown in your local school lunch program. |
