SHIP stories
The Statewide Health Improvement Program
(SHIP) works to improve health through better
nutrition, increased physical activity and
decreased commercial tobacco use and exposure.
Schools are a key area in which SHIP works to
improve health through better nutition. As of June
2011:
•
Across Minnesota, more than 360 schools
and 22 school districts, serving more than
200,000 students, are increasing access to
local produce with Farm to School.
Putting a dream into action at
Waseca Junior High
It all started ten years ago with a salad bar and a
foodservice director with a dream. The dream was to
start a school garden at Waseca Junior High to supply
the salad bar and the visionary was Jason Forshee,
Director of Food and Nutrition Services for the Waseca
School District. In 2011, SHIP funds helped Forshee’s
dream come true.
“My goal for the garden is to be self-sustaining,”
Forshee said. “Meaning that they would sell some of
the produce at the farmer’s market, especially the
pumpkins and gourds, in order to earn the money
needed for seed which is approximately $300 each
year.”
Farm to School Programs are designed to increase
the availability of fruits and vegetables on the school
lunch menu. School gardens not only help with this goal,
they are an educational opportunity, teaching students
about where food comes from while connecting them to
Minnesota’s strong agricultural tradition.
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/oshii
SHIP helped with equipment to seed, weed, water and
grow the garden as well as provide the surrounding
fence and on-site storage shed. Student volunteers
were physically active tending the garden in the
summer months, growing two types of tomatoes, onions,
cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi, radishes, bell peppers,
beets, potatoes, carrots, peas, strawberries, pumpkins
and gourds. Harvest time happened just as students
were beginning a new school year, and kids were
thrilled to see the vegetables from their school garden
appearing on the lunch line.
And Jason Forshee is happy to see his dream in action.
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SHIP works with communities across Minnesota to help
create real, sustainable health improvement. Find out
how at www.health.state.mn.us/ship