October is National Farm to School Month, a time to celebrate the meaningful connections happening across the country between children and local food! From school gardens to locally sourced meals, Farm to School programs help students learn where their food comes from while supporting local farmers, ranchers, and producers.
The Cle Elum-Roslyn School District is proud to announce that our Food Services Department has been awarded a Farm to School Grant for 2025–2027, totaling $14,000 over the two-year period. This grant will help our district expand our commitment to fresh, local, and nutritious meals by purchasing produce and fresh meats from local growers and ranchers.
Food Services Manager Hollie Stone shared, “With the grant, our goal is to introduce new flavors through fresh local foods that spark curiosity, cultivate tastes, and nourish young minds from the ground up.”
As part of our celebration, last week we joined schools across Washington in honoring Taste of Washington Day! Our Food Services team served up a variety of fresh, local fruits and vegetables sourced from the Ellensburg Farmers Market, giving students a chance to try new flavors and learn more about the incredible foods grown right here in our state.
A big thank-you goes out to our dedicated Food Services staff for their ongoing work to provide healthy, delicious meals and to inspire our students to appreciate the value of local food. Together, we’re helping students discover the taste of Washington — and the importance of supporting our local food systems.