Educational leaders from ten school districts across six counties in southeastern Illinois are embarking on a mission to strengthen Farm-to-School initiatives in the Greater Wabash region. Supported by generous funding from the Lake Michigan School Food Innovation Hub, this group is working to expand access to locally grown produce by addressing the challenge of food seasonality through the exploration of flash-freezing techniques. This solution would allow farmers to extend the availability of their products to schools throughout
the year.
This initiative has launched for the 2024-2025 school year, with three key goals:
1. Create an Advisory Committee to guide and support the initiative.
2. Identify state-level partners to collaborate with and ensure long-term sustainability.
3. Conduct test tastings for flash-freezing sweet corn and a vegetable soup mix with herbs, preparing the way for broader use of these locally sourced foods in school cafeterias.
The project’s budget, enhanced by funding from the Lake Michigan School Food Innovation Hub, will focus on human capital, investing in staff to support Farm-to-School programming across 32 school cafeterias, coordinate tasting events, and fund the acquisition of a blast chiller for the region. This innovative approach will help local farmers extend their growing season, making fresh, nutritious foods more consistently available to students throughout the year.
“Flash-freezing local produce is a game-changer for our Farm-to-School program,” said Trish Bellmore, Executive Director of the Greater Wabash Food Council. “This not only draws economic opportunity to the agricultural community but also ensures that students are getting high-quality, local food even outside of peak growing seasons.”
By bringing together educational leaders, farmers, and state-level partners, this initiative aims to set a new standard for how schools can work with local agriculture to enhance both the economy and student well-being. The introduction of a blast chiller will be a key asset, enabling schools to store locally grown produce efficiently for long-term use. For more information about this initiative, please contact Greater Wabash Food Council online or on Facebook at “GWFOODCOUNCIL.”
About Farm-to-School in Southeastern Illinois
Farm-to-School programs connect schools with local farms to provide fresh, local foods for school meals while also educating students about agriculture, health, and nutrition. The program fosters community engagement and strengthens the local economy by supporting area farmers.
For more information about the program, our funder, and eligibility for this program,visit USDA Press Release.
