Farm to school week was set up through the Virginia General Assembly to promote Virginia agricultural products during the first week of October. In order to capitalize on this opportunity to spread the word about the benefits of buying locally, Andrea Early, director of nutrition for Harrisonburg City Public Schools, invited Bowl of Good to Bluestone Elementary School to give the students samples.

“Bowl of Good utilizes so much local [food]… [We’re teaching the kids] why it’s important to support local farmers, that it’s very good for the economy, that it’s healthy, that local food is really fresh, it has a lot of nutrients. [It’s] also helping them to understand how their food grows, where it comes from, that it’s not just what’s on the plate, that it’s also someone’s job, and that it’s hard work and that what is on their plate is really important,” Early said.

Jan Henley, catering and procurement manager for Bowl of Good, dished out a chili or vegetable soup with bread on the side to students as they headed to lunch. Henley is motivated by a desire to spread the word about the positive aspects of locally-grown food to children, starting at a young age.

“The most important thing about buying your food locally is that you know where your food comes from, and you know what to expect with that relationship with the farmer. You know what you’re going to have available for the next two or three months,” Henley said. “And then your money stays local. You know where your money goes, also. That’s powerful.”

Other farm to school week events include elementary schools inviting local farmers and producers to speak, as well as the high school adding local ingredients to school meals, like local beef to a beef stew.