“Local Farms, Local Kids”:
Lake County Community Development Corporation
releases farm to school video
For Immediate Release
March 27, 2014
Ronan, MT – Lake County Community Development Corporation (LCCDC) and Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center (MMFEC) are happy to announce the release of a short documentary video about farm to school and its positive economic effects in western Montana. Through key interviews, “Local Farms, Local Kids” tells the story of each step local food takes in the journey from the farm to the school.
The video begins in the fields of Ploughshare Farm in the Mission Valley. It follows local butternut squash as the Western Montana Growers Cooperative (WMGC)—a group of 40 local farmers—distributes it to MMFEC. There, staff processes the fresh produce to make serving it as easy as possible for schools. WMGC then delivers it to schools where it is prepared in the kitchen. Finally, students eat the local squash in classrooms and cafeterias where they experience educational materials and activities about Montana foods. “As a farmer,” says owner of Ploughshare Farm, Nicole Jarvis, “there’s nothing more important to me than making sure kids know where their food comes from.”
The video shows how farm to school is building Montana’s economy. While students get the freshest, healthiest food on their trays, producers gain additional markets and local businesses create jobs. A key player in the farm to school effort is FoodCorps, a national service program that connects kids to real food and helps them grow up healthy. The video is accompanied by an infographic, visually summarizing the process of farm to school. MMFEC Director, Jan Tusick, sums up farm to school: “It’s such a win-win for everyone.”
You can see the video online here.
Please like MMFEC on Facebook and share our post about “Local Farms, Local Kids.” Or, please share the video through your networks.
About Lake County Community Development Corporation
Lake County Community Development Corporation (LCCDC) cultivates economic growth in western Montana by offering a range of resources to assist with business development and community capacity building. Specifically, they provide technical assistance, education, financial support, government contracting services, food product development, cooperative business support, and much more for privately and publicly owned enterprises. Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center (MMFEC) provides client services to value added agriculture and specialty food businesses and operates a viable community-based food processing center. LCCDC is a non-profit 501c3 corporation that is governed by a Board of Directors, all of whom live and work in our service area. For more information, please visit lakecountycdc.org.
Contact:
Shay Farmer
(406) 676-5901 x 112