Ruth Corcoran
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“It is our hope that by directing students’ attention to local fruit, vegetable and dairy farming that it will improve their understanding of the local economy of Erie and also show the role of fruits and vegetables in a lifelong healthy lifestyle,” said Bill Marshall, assistant general manager for Metz & Associates, Ltd. at Erie School District. “Another goal of this program is to show the positive economic impact of local procurement, as well as the positive environmental impact of choosing locally grown products.”

Not only is agriculture Pennsylvania’s leading industry, but the state’s products have earned a worldwide reputation for quality. The Metz locally grown produce program at Erie was influenced by PA Preferred, the state’s program designed to identify these locally sourced Pennsylvania products and help consumers find them.

This coming school year, with the help and generosity of local growers, the Metz team at Erie School District will introduce the following locally grown items to students: Concord grapes, cabbage, spaghetti squash, sweet corn and apples. “The featured items will be given as samplings, incorporated into school lunch menus, and prepared in a way that truly highlights the flavor, shows ease of preparation and adds novelty,” Marshall said. “Students will be amazed at how freshly squeezed and pasteurized Concord grape juice from Erie County tastes like you just picked a grape off the vine and popped it in your mouth and the many creative ways of preparing spaghetti squash that are sure to please and highlight the vegetable.”

Metz & Associates’ Culinary Specialist, Douglas Morgan, will be on hand to advise as to the suggested preparation of the various items, and Metz’ Wellness Coordinator, Michelle Marker, will provide a brief presentation to students during the lunch period to further explain the nutritional importance of the featured items and explain how and where they were grown. Marker is also working to develop programs for the classroom that will provide further education on the featured items and spur classroom discussions on the impact of purchasing local products. Also leading the way in educating students on these items will be Metz & Associates’ mascot, Commissioner Nutrition, who will make lunchtime appearances to add some fun to the educational portion of the program.

In an effort to give students a more complete experience of the entire growing process, Marshall is currently working to organize field trips to local farms, which will allow students to see first hand how certain items are planted and eventually make another trip to experience the harvesting process. “Students will have the opportunity to observe crops in the fields, walk through apple orchards and vineyards, and learn how food is cultivated,” Marshall said. “Experiencing the process visually, from spring planting to autumn harvesting, will make it much more memorable and definitely enhance the classroom education portion. It is something that we hope will stay with them past their school years as they make choices as to where to purchase products for their own homes.”

Marshall added that students will learn how by selecting locally grown foods they are keeping consumer dollars in Erie County, as well as ensuring freshness and reducing the negative environmental impact that comes from prolonged transportation and the refrigeration process that West Coast or international products require in the journey east. This important wellness initiative will be made available to all grades in the Erie School District beginning in October 2007.

Metz & Associates, Ltd., a premier food service company for the Northeast United States, provides dining and environmental management services to clients such as hospitals, nursing homes, school districts, colleges and universities, and corporate offices. For more information on Metz & Associates, Ltd., visit our website at www.metzltd.com or call 570-675-8100.