The Illinois Farm to School Summit was the first event hosted and coordinated by the Illinois Farm to School Network, and we had a great time in Springfield working with so many enthusiastic farm to school supporters!
Quick Facts:
- Over 90 people from around the state registered for the conference, including teachers, food service staff, community advocates, and farmers.
- Food service workers from school districts all over the state were able to quickly learn some advanced skills and cooked a huge meal from scratch.
- We worked with five farms, including a local meat processor, to set our menu.
- Composting at the Summit was able to divert over 50 pounds of food scraps from the landfill, meaning that we turned our local lunch into local soil!
- We mapped out a strategic plan for farm to school in Illinois – which you will hear more about over the coming months.
- Illinois farmers came out to speak about their participation in farm to school, including Wayne Sirles of Rendleman’s Orchards and Gary Neibrugge of the Krops 4 Kids Program.
- The local CBS news affiliate brought a camera crew to document the incredible kitchen work – watch the coverage here!
We’ll share the strategic plan and workshop materials soon. Here are some great photos from the day, including the hands on cafeteria training and lunch!
Join us on June 7th at Lincoln Land Community College, in Springfield, Illinois, to