Grant to promote local produce

By John Arendt - Summerland Review - May 01, 2008

o Funding sought to bring local vegetables into school cafeteria

A local organization would like to see Summerland-grown produce served at the high school’s salad bar.

The Summerland Food Action Coalition is applying for a $20,000 grant for its proposed Farm to School Salad Bar Program.

Vicki Lightfoot, one of the coalition members, says the pilot program would promote healthy eating and awareness of local agriculture.

At present, Summerland schools get locally grown apples, but not local vegetables.

Lightfoot says there are some producers who are growing vegetables in Summerland, including one farm which grows lettuce year-round. She say more farmers may produce vegetables for the program if the demand is there.

“Although a lot of produce is grown in Summerland, very little is enjoyed by those who live within its vicinity,” the coalition says in the grant application. “Farmers do not grow such products for market, as there is currently little interest in locally grown produce.”

Lightfoot believes the Farm to School Salad Bar Program could change this trend.

“I think the producers will switch to meet the demand,” she says. “There are a few farmers interested in doing this.”

Dave Searcy, principal of Summerland Secondary School, says the school already has a salad bar in place at the cafeteria.

“The idea of using local food is really the key here,” he says. “The kids will be getting — and will know they’ll be getting — local produce.”

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Grant to promote local produce

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