Family-owned and operated since 1919, Wardynski & Sons is known for their all-beef hot dogs, which will soon be featured on Forestville’s lunch menu. Enjoy a free sample and take a photo with their mascot at Forestville’s Open House on Thursday. Submitted Photo.

FORESTVILLE — Forestville Superintendent Renee Garrett invites families to attend Open House on Oct. 10 to sample a new menu item that is part of the new, locally-sourced New York state food products that are being added to the school lunch menus for the 2019-2020 school year: Wardynski & Sons all-beef hot dogs, New York state potato chips and New York state grape juice.

As an expansion of the district’s farm-to-school program and commitment to providing students healthier local food options, the Forestville Central School District is introducing New York state food products to their school lunch menus. This new initiative help promotes the procurement of New York state grown and processed items.

This exciting initiative is part of the farm-to-school program in which the district has been awarded $181,054. Through partnerships with Botaniline, New York Grape Growers Association and New York Chips, the district is able to purchase more locally sourced and New York state food products.

“It is essential that we support our local farmers and growers,” said Garrett. “We need to do everything we can to help our students learn more about the amazing opportunities that are a part of the New York State agricultural industry. Our local farmers provide the highest quality produce and product that I’ve ever experienced.”

Botaniline is a Buffalo based food ingredient company working with Wardynski’s to create a healthier hot dog that uses an all-natural potato ingredient to reduce sodium by 25% and total fat by almost 50%. The new all-beef hot dogs also contain more protein and iron per serving and are free of MSG, sorbitol, and all allergens.

“We are so happy to provide such a healthy option for our students that love hot dogs,” said Terry Brown, shared cook manager. “I’m sure the hot dogs will be a big hit with the students.”

New York Chips are the only potato chips sourced entirely from New York potatoes. In fact, they are harvested by the Marquart family. The Marquart family has been farming in Western New York for over 70 years. The Marquart Farms located in Gainsville, Wyoming County provides the best locally grown potatoes, harvested at the peak of freshness.

New York Juice Company and Westfield Maid are the first New York State grown and certified juice processor. The Growers’ Co-op Grape Juice Company is located in Westfield, the oldest and largest concord grape growing region in the world.

As part of the Forestville Elementary Open House event, our school community will be sampling the hot dogs, potato chips and grape juice to over 1,000 parents, students, and faculty.

“Our community is really embracing our farm-to-school program,” Garrett noted. “This event is a great way for our students’ parents to try some of the food we are serving on our menu. As part of this event we are offering our families samples of NYS hot dogs, NYS potato chips, and NYS grape juice. We will also be having a free raffle where families have a chance to win some packages of Wardynski’s hot dogs!”

Open House takes place on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Those who sample one of the featured foods will receive a raffle ticket, and the winning raffle tickets will allow the winners to take home a package of Wardynski hot dogs. The Wardynski hot dog mascot will also be available for families to take photos with. The district’s food service staff members and board members will be serving hot dog samples for all school community members.

“When food looks good and tastes better students are more willing to try new and different items on our menu,” Said Carol Woodward, school board member.

Those interested in attending should RSVP with Garrett at 965-6539 or rgarrett@forestville.com by Tuesday, Oct. 8.