Grown In Marin 

The Organic School Lunch Program run by Marin Organic and the Marin Food Systems Project is in full swing. Using a combination of donated and purchased food, the program  enables schools throughout Marin to offer local organic meals to their students. Since November, over 5,200 pounds of food have been gleaned from farms, and 1,000 quarts of Straus yogurt were donated. Some of the produce delivered to the schools includes:  potatoes, winter squash, chard, kale, beets, and lemons. So far, gleaned food accounts for about 70% of what is delivered, but it is expected to be about 50% gleaned and 50% purchased in the coming months.

       Last week a group of school food service workers from Tam Unified School District came out to Warren Weber's Star Route Farms and enjoyed a tour of the farm. As participants in the program, they were thrilled to see how the food they cook is grown and also to tell stories about the tremendously positive response they've been getting from both students and parents alike. 

       In addition to getting rave reviews from the students about the Straus Vanilla yogurt and granola parfaits and the carrot cake made from local, organic carrots, revenues at all of the participating school lunch rooms have risen by hundreds of dollars per week. 

       This program is very exciting and is sure to grow. We'll keep you posted.  - Helge Hellberg, Executive Director, Marin Organic.