Farm to school cafeteria in Watsvonille

Summary

At Pajaro Valley High School, staff are preparing for lunch, featuring fresh, locally sourced produce from nearby organic farms. Javier Zamora, an organic farmer, delivers pesticide-free fruits and vegetables to schools in the district, motivated by his childhood experience of feeding his community. The Farm to Cafeteria program, started by students seeking healthier meals, now partners with Esperanza Community Farms. Students occasionally participate by picking, preparing, and serving vegetables in school salads. This initiative inspires students to educate others about the benefits of clean eating, providing nutritious options and more variety in school meals.

Takeaways

• 🥗 Pajaro Valley High School staff are preparing for lunchtime using fresh, locally sourced produce.
• 🚜 The lettuce, peppers, and tomatoes for the school's salads are from a local organic farm just 15 minutes away.
• 👨‍🌾 Javier Zamora, a farmer, delivers pesticide-free produce to Pajaro Valley USD schools, inspired by his upbringing of feeding his community with farm-grown food.
• 🏫 On Monday, Zamora joined other farmers at the Farm to Cafeteria Festival held at Pajaro Valley High School.
• 🍅 The Farm to Cafeteria program started after students requested healthier lunch options.
• 🌱 The school partners with Esperanza Community Farms to supply fresh organic produce to students.
• 🧑‍🌾 Occasionally, students participate in picking seasonal crops, washing, cutting, and preparing them for their school meals.
• 📚 Students say the program has motivated them to educate their peers and families about clean eating.
• 💬 One student, Francisco, shared that knowing the food is local and nutritious makes a big difference, providing the energy needed for the day.
• 🥗 Another student highlighted that healthier food options give them a greater variety of choices in school.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the news report?

The main focus of the news report is the Farm to Cafeteria program at Pajaro Valley High School, which provides students with fresh, organic produce sourced from local farms.

Who is Javier Zamora, and what role does he play in the program?

Javier Zamora is one of the farmers who delivers fruits and vegetables to Pajaro Valley Unified School District schools. He grows organic produce and is passionate about feeding the community pesticide-free food.

Why did Javier Zamora start growing organic produce?

Javier Zamora started growing organic produce because he wanted to feed his community pesticide-free, healthy food, a practice that goes back to his childhood, when his family fed their community from the land.

What event took place at Pajaro Valley High School related to the Farm to Cafeteria program?

The Farm to Cafeteria Festival took place at Pajaro Valley High School, where local farmers, including Javier Zamora, joined the event to promote healthy, organic food for students.

What inspired the creation of the Farm to Cafeteria program?

The Farm to Cafeteria program started when students at Pajaro Valley High School wanted healthier lunches, which led to the school's partnership with local farms to offer fresh, organic produce.

How do students participate in the Farm to Cafeteria program?

On rare occasions, students participate in the program by picking seasonal vegetables themselves, washing them, cutting them up, and preparing them for salads that they serve to their peers.

What impact has the program had on students, according to Francisco?

According to Francisco, the program has made a positive difference for students by providing local, nutritious food that gives them the energy they need throughout the day.

What is one of the benefits of having healthier food at school, as mentioned by students?

One of the benefits mentioned by students is that having healthier food at school provides them with more variety in their meal choices.

Which farm is partnered with the school to supply organic produce?

Esperanza Community Farms is partnered with Pajaro Valley High School to supply fresh, organic produce for the students.

How has the program influenced students beyond just eating healthier food?

The program has inspired students to educate their peers and family members about the importance of eating clean and consuming local, pesticide-free produce.