What is Art Contest NC Farm Winners to School? The NC Farm to School program has been supplying school cafeterias across the state with the freshest, locally grown produce from NC farms since 1997. The program is run through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (NCDA&CS) Food Distribution Division in cooperation with the Marketing Division. In the Truck Recognized Winners of the first NC Farm to School Calendar Art Contest were honored during a reception at the N.C. State Fair. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler addressed the group, which included families of the winners, their teachers, and Child Nutrition Directors. “We’re proud of the Farm to School program, and we’re proud to honor you today. There will be new calendars each year. But you are part of a select group that was chosen to be included on the first calendar.” Chosen from among 1,302 entries, the 14 winners received a $50 savings bond sponsored by the NC Farm to School Cooperative. In addition, each student received a one-year subscription to Our State and Edible Piedmont magazines. Austin McLendon, whose work graces the cover, also received an NCDA truck signed by the Commissioner. Week November 14 – Romaine lettuce, Apples, Collards, Apple Slices Week of December 5 – Broccoli Crowns, Apples, Cabbage, Sweet Potatoes NC Farm to School Team NCDA&CS Marketing Division: Heather Barnes, [email protected] Tommy Fleetwood, [email protected] NCDA&CS Food Distribution Division: Gary Gay, [email protected] Ted Fogleman, [email protected] Steve Troxler, Commissioner of Agriculture NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services www.ncfarmtoschool.com On your Grower Spotlight– James Sharp plate… This month NC Farm to School trucks are carrying romaine lettuce from Fresh-Pik Produce in Kenly (Johnston County). Farmers in N.C. can grow spring and fall crops of romaine. Grown on black plastic, romaine can be planted before or following other crops, including watermelons, allowing farmers to use the same plastic to produce two crops. Romaine may be the oldest form of cultivated lettuce. A tall, upright lettuce, romaine can reach 20 inches in height. Romaine is sensitive to dry conditions, requiring daily irrigation. In the field, romaine is ready for harvest within 45 days after transplanting. The crop is harvested by hand and packed in waxed cartons. As a child growing up on a tobacco farm, James Sharp started a garden, selling produce to the farm’s employees. At age 15 he named his company Fresh-Pik Produce. The next year, with driver’s license in hand, James began selling produce to a local grocer, Bailey Red and White, then Piggly Wiggly. From that garden, Fresh-Pik Produce has grown to 350 acres of cantaloupe, watermelons, sprite melons, strawberries, cabbage, collards, field greens and romaine lettuce. Fresh-Pik sells produce across the U.S. and into Canada but James also sells at Deans Farm Market in Wilson, (http://www.deansfarmmarket.com/index.php) which he opened in 2002. In addition to seasonal produce, the Market also has jams, jellies, honey and pick-your-own strawberries. They also offer educational activities for school groups, including fall hay rides and Santa’s Workshop. Romaine should be stored unwashed in a plastic bag or kept in the waxed carton with the lid closed. Storing romaine this way ensures it will be crisper and keep it’s natural mositure. Store in a separate location from apples (i.e. not in the same box or refrigerator drawer), as the ethylene gas fruits release will cause vegetables to ripen faster. Fruit will also pick up the flavors of stronger vegetables. Romaine is an excellent source of Vitamin C and has few calories. The darker green the leaf, the more vitamins it contains. In schools, romaine is used on sandwiches and in salads. What (and Who) is the NC Farm to School Cooperative? The NC Farm to School Cooperative was incorporated in 2008 by farmers across the state who had been supplying produce for Farm to School when it was run in conjunction with the Department of Defense. According to the Articles of Incorporation, the purpose is to “bring about a more effective service…in selling locally grown fruits and vegetables to schools…” The initial directors were John Bulman, James Sharp, Brent Jackson and George Wooten. Members of the cooperative are engaged in the production of fruits and vegetables in N.C. Currents members are from all over the state, including Pasquotank, Pender, Nash, Johnston, Stokes, Rowan, Madison and Henderson counties. They have a GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) or third party food safety audit each year, liability insurance and are members of NCDA&CS’s Goodness Grows program. Any farm in the state that meets these requirements is eligible to join the Cooperative. For more information on the Cooperative contact Tommy Fleetwood. NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services www.ncfarmtoschool.com
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