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.
The kids are loving it,” in Brainerd
When the cooks at Brainerd High School and
Forestview Middle School requested 80 pounds of
vegetables in September 2011 to serve on the salad
bar, local farmers met the challenge with cauliflower,
broccoli, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and
more. That success wouldn’t have been possible without
a SHIP grant that provided funds for a pilot Farm to
School program in the Brainerd School District.
District Food Service Director Colette Pohlkam and
local farmers gathered to create a Farm to School
plan that would work for schools and farmers. Pohlkam
showed farmers the district’s menus and its food use.
With a guaranteed market for their produce, local
farmers planted extra heavy in the spring to supply
food to the district in the fall. Throughout the school
year, the food service staff worked with local farmers
to match variety and supply with student demand.
A thriving Farm to School program depends on
dedicated food service staff. When fresh corn is
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/oshii
served, staff had to shuck 30 dozen ears. “I just
commend my food service staff for their willingness to
take this on,” said Pohlkamp. “It’s a totally different
way of cooking and there’s a lot of work involved.”
The Brainerd Farm to School program has helped
kids stretch their culinary horizons too. Locally-sourced
yellow tomatoes or kohlrabi, present it in an appealing
way, are making their way to students’ trays.
The bottom line, says Pohlkam, is “the kids are loving
it.”
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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