Winters Farm to School presents $60,000 to school board
Winters Farm to School presented a ceremonial check for $60,000 to the Winters Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees at their meeting Thursday, May 16. The money will continue the program that provides fresh produce for Winters students.
The program, which began in 2007 with a $1000 donation from the UC Davis Olive Oil Center, the Yolo County Agricultural Marketing Initiative and Slow Food Yolo, has been an enormous success, according to WJUSD Food Services Director Cathy Olson, who said students ate little fresh produce before.
“The students would not put fresh produce on their plates,” Olson said. “Our students are now eating fruits and vegetables in quantities I never anticipated. Winters Farm to School is now contributing $50,000 per year for fresh fruits and vegetables.”
Winters Farm to School also contributes to the Waggoner Elementary school gardens and other programs that teach Winters students healthy eating habits.
The next 2019 Summer Feast, during which the program raises most of its funds, will on Saturday, June 22 at the historic Wolfskill Ranch. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased from ACE Hardware on Main Street, at their website or by calling 530-795-6109.
The board voted unanimously to accept the check. “I love these no-brainers,” Trustee Carrie Green said.