Submitted photo Bill Meadows, owner of Meadows Farms on Prospect Road in Forestville, is the school district’s featured farmer. Meadows is pictured with his beloved companion, Oreo, and a hearty crop of apples, for which his farm is known.

Through a two-year $81,820 New York State Farm-to-School grant, Forestville Central School District continues to strengthen their relationships with local farmers. This mutually beneficial grant provides opportunities for the students, farmers and communities. This grant money expands the fresh produce and products for students’ meals yet at the same time providing new markets for local farmers.

The school district is currently featuring one of Forestville’s beloved farmers, Bill Meadows of Meadows Farm. Everyone that stops by Meadows farms will enjoy a visit with Bill and his new sidekick Oreo. Meadows Farms, situated at 10459 Prospect Road in Forestville, is a popular spot in the fall for those who want to enjoy the fall weather and pick their own apples. The farm also has a variety of pre-picked apples, fresh apple cider, pumpkins, mums, fall vegetables, and much more! With daily hours 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine, there is plenty of time to get your fall fix in!

The fall harvest season has been a great way to partner with our featured farmer, Bill Meadows. Every week this fall, Forestville has purchased four to six bushels of apples for our students and cider for our families to enjoy during both schools’ open houses.

Renee Garrett, superintendent stated, “We are thrilled to work with Bill, who is a true community asset! The Farm-to-School Program is a wonderful way to encourage our students to eat healthy meals that are locally sourced. It is our hope that we are creating a habit of a lifetime for our students. Through this grant funding we are able to purchase much needed equipment that we can use to preserve farm fresh fruits and vegetables during the height of harvest season.”

Aside from enhancing the relationships between Forestville and local farms, the Farm-to-School grant provides funding for new equipment in the schools’ kitchens. This new equipment helps the Forestville Central School District process, preserve, and package farm fresh foods. Equipment such as vacuum sealers, freezers and chill blasters assist the district in preserving fresh food during the growing season and store it for when fresh food is more difficult and more expensive to purchase. One of the more exciting purchases are the new blenders that will allow the district to add smoothies to the menu.

“As a PE and Health teacher I am very excited about this grant,” said Brandi Pettit, Farm-to-School coordinator. “It is my goal as a teacher of these disciplines to set up each of my students with knowledge and habits to help them lead healthy lifestyles after leaving our school. This grant is not only seeks to improve students’ education of nutrition gives them the opportunity to practice healthy eating and create habits to carry through life!”

With fresh farm products for students and new markets for our local farmers the Farm-to-School grant is a great opportunity for the entire Forestville Community. The state funded grant will continue to support the initiative through 2019, but the school and local farmers are working to establish relationships that will carry on beyond the grant’s expiration.