Schools as Food Systems
Community Story
Spurred on by classroom lessons and inspired by local family farms with new growing methods, a whole generation of students is learning the critical importance of sustainable food systems. And an increasing number of our area schools are embracing available tools to become active participants through the school food system. In Ashwaubenon, hyper-local food went viral when Wello featured Ashwaubenon High School teacher Dan Albrent’s local growing operations in their courtyard. The feature, which featured Food Service Director Betsy Farah’s commitment to buy whatever Dan’s garden could grow, was picked up by local television and print news and provided a platform for Albrent’s GoFundMe, raising more than $7,000 for a new greenhouse at the school. Ashwaubenon High School has also added hoop houses to their courtyard garden thanks to an Innovation grant awarded through Wello’s Farm to School Task Force.