On Wednesday, September 26th Lunt Elementary School celebrated its first Maine Harvest Lunch.  The project began in 2003 as a vision to link schools with local farms by celebrating Maine grown foods through education and an exclusively Maine grown school lunch. Falmouth was excited to participate in this state-wide event.

Benefits of incorporating local foods into school lunches are numerous.  Buying locally puts money back in the Maine economy.  Because locally grown food is raised for taste rather than durability during transport, Maine grown food tastes better.  Fresher foods from local producers translate to healthy eating and ultimately better learning.  Furthermore, introducing students to the importance of buying locally strengthens the community by creating connections between the food we eat and where it is grown.

First and second grade students learned about the importance of local foods in the days before the lunch.  The Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, PROP’s Communities Promoting Health Coalition, and Farm Fresh Connection have provided the curriculum.

The lunch menu for the day consisted of:

1. beef and bean chili
2. baked potato
3. fresh garden salad
4. orchard apple
5. milk

The farms contributing to this lunch are:

1. Idleknot Farm in Falmouth
2. Sweetser’s Orchard in Cumberland
3. Maxwell’s Farm in Cape Elizabeth
4. Merrifield Farm in Gorham
5. Green Thumb Farm in Fryeburg
6. Oakhurst Dairy of Maine. 

Cafeteria decorations have been provided by Idleknot Farm and Winslow Farm, both located in Falmouth.