500 Minnesota districts eating farm-to-school lunches

MINNETONKA, Minn. (KMSP) - Students at 1,351 schools across Minnesota are eating nutritious, locally-grown meals through the Farm to School program. At Glen Lake Elementary School in Minnetonka, Minn., students have access to locally-grown produce like butternut squash, radishes and carrots from Riverbend Farm in Delano, Minn.

“It helps connect kids to where food comes from, and helps them to fall in love with whole foods again,” said Barb Mechura, director of nutrition for the Hopkins School District.

The initiative is also a welcome boost for Minnesota’s farmers. Agriculture commissioner David Frederickson says the Farm to School program increases farm income by an average of 5 percent.

“Anytime that we can add opportunity for increased market share for farmers it’s a positive thing for our producers," Frederickson said. 

Commissioner Frederickson and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith visited Glen Lake Elementary on Tuesday to have a locally-grown lunch with students and staff.