By Andrea Pettes
 
November 13, 2008
 
ASHLAND, Ore. -- The Ashland School District has partnered with the Ashland Food Co-op to teach the young kids about locally grown products.
 
Beginning Thursday, the Farm to School Program will allow kids at Ashland schools to enjoy the same locally grown foods as Co-op customers.
 
"Actually we've been working on it for several years, and since we got a specialist involved, the doors have finally started to open," says Culinary Education Specialist Mary Shaw.
 
Implementation of the program required approval from many groups, but one of the biggest hurdles was how to purchase the local product. Sodexho, who is in charge of food programs at Southern Oregon schools, prohibts any direct purchasing. So districts were forced to go outside the lines.
 
"In order to move forward, we found a community member willing to fund the purchase of farm grown food from our valley. Without that generous donation, we couldn't have been able to get as far as we have," says Farm to School Coordinator Tracy Harding.
 
Once a week, recipies will being shared between the Ashland School District and the Ashland Food Co-op. The program has secured funds to last through December.
 
After that, without any help, the program may be forced to go back to drawing board.
 
Meals severed at lunch time will also include other locally grown fruits and vegetables. Meals served Thursday at Ashland schools included locally grown organic onions, carrots, pears, and potatoes.