This September Portland Public Schools Food Services Department began Farm Fresh Fridays to increase the amount of local food served in Portland public schools. On Farm Fresh Fridays the school lunch menu features a local entrée and local fruits and vegetables.
Farm Fresh Fridays are part of a push to increase the amount of local food served in Portland schools from over 128,000 pounds last school year, to 225,000 pounds this school year. The school district hopes that more local food will support student health and learning. “Local food is fresher food and fresher food is healthier food,” said Food Services Director Ron Adams.
West End School Board member Holly Seeliger pointed out the program’s economic advantages. “Local food is affordable because it saves on transportation and supports the economy of our state,” said Seeliger, who would like to see the program expand to include more days of the week than just Friday. The district does serve local milk every day.
Farm Fresh Fridays will continue every Friday throughout the school year.
