A recent overhaul of the federal nutrition rules for schools is meant to provide healthier options for children. But the new requirements-including larger servings of fruits and vegetables that local farmers could grow, less sodium and fat, and more whole grains-have sparked a heated debate nationally and right here in Traverse City.
Articles by Kirsten Gerbatsch
Interlochen Elementary School Starts Library Hydro-Farm
With the flick of a switch, we heard the steady whir of an electric motor and a whoosh of water circulating through three large hydroponic “grow systems.” These were the sounds of life: A winter indoor school garden. By noon on Tuesday, November 27th, Jill Hibbard’s 2nd grade and Rhonda Busch’s 3rd grade classes at Interlochen Elementary School transplanted and seeded a variety of herbs, leafy greens, lettuce, and peas in their very own library window hydro-farm.
FoodCorps Teams Up with Local Farmer
How often do typical elementary students get to eat lunch with the farmer who grew their school meal? Last month, every student at Suttons Bay Elementary had the opportunity to meet Jim Bardenhagen, who grows apples and squash on his farm in Leelanau County.
Our Voices: Chefs Visit Suttons Bay
Chef Courtland Nelson cracked nearly a dozen farm fresh eggs into a large stainless steel bowl, with dozens of eyes upon him. Cracking egg after egg, he showed the grace and agility of a man of precise skill and years of experience. Middle school students leaned in to...
Our Voices: FoodCorps: A Day in the Life
This is part of a continuing series about FoodCorps in northwest Lower Michigan, which is working with MLUI, SEEDS, MSU Extension and other area organizations to help schools purchase and serve healthy, locally grown food; build school garden programs; and connect...
Our Voices: FoodCorps Service Member Seeks to Mentor, Educate Kids on Healthy Foods
The Michigan Land Use Institute is proud to announce that two of the first 50 FoodCorps Service Members nationwide are hard at work right here in northwest Lower Michigan. Daniel Marbury and Kirsten Gerbatsch are helping a pilot group of schools to purchase...