Beman Middle School Front And Center For CT Farm-To-School Week

MIDDLETOWN, CT - Middletown Public Schools Tuesday hosted a state kickoff celebration for Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids Week at Beman Middle School.

The event showcased the district's commitment to farm-to-school initiatives, highlighted partnerships with local farms and marked the announcement of nearly $80,000 in new microgrants by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, officials said.

The grants are designed to further develop farm-to-school programs across Connecticut, with the potential to impact more than 3,300 students statewide.

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, who attended the event, emphasized the program's significance.

"I'm proud of the progress in Connecticut and the increasing momentum in farm-to-school efforts across the three pillars of classroom, cafeteria, and the community," she said. "The Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids Grant program increases the availability of local foods in child nutrition programs, and provides so many new opportunities for producers, our state's youth and educators, and our greater Connecticut community. I'm especially proud of the efforts made by Middletown Public Schools and the students at Beman Middle School. The impact of this programming really cannot be understated."

Beman Middle School student leader Esther Kario shared the success story of the "Beman Food Critics" group, a student-led initiative that partners with the district's food and nutritional services department to provide feedback on menu items.

Jess Stone, owner of Cold Spring Farm, spoke about "the importance of connecting with our food, community, and planet."

Event highlights included a locally-sourced lunch featuring herb-roasted chicken and corn on the cob from Cold Spring Farm; a tasting market offering samples of roasted butternut squash, tomato choka, and honey yogurt dips; and educational activities connecting students with local agriculture outlets.

State Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt praised the initiative.

"The Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids Grant program has made historic investments over the past few years. This wouldn't be possible without the partnership and enthusiastic support of school administrations to rethink not only how students are eating but how they are learning about that food," he said. "I applaud Middletown Public School and the Beman Middle School students for their engagement in this program to foster a connection with Cold Spring Farm and other producers to create CT Grown inspired meals from field to plate."

Beman Middle School, which received a CTG4CTK Grant award in fiscal year 2023, has successfully implemented a multi-faceted experiential learning opportunity for more than 900 students. The program served as an exemplary model during the kickoff event.

Dawn Crayco, Northeast Policy Director of FoodCorps and Co-Chair of the CT Farm to School Collaborative, emphasized the impact of farm-to-school partnerships.

"When schools and farms partner, the impact is palpable. Students have opportunities to learn where their food comes from, enjoy local foods in their cafeteria, and meet the people who grew it," she said. "Students develop increased agency in their food choices and create new relationships with the food system. We applaud the state of Connecticut for investing in these efforts that help students, farms, and communities thrive."