Farmers, schools and students work toward healthy lunches

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Last week, Indian Country Today had a cool story about how the STAR (Service To All Relations) School, an elementary charter school located near the edge of the Navajo Nation in Arizona, is trying to get fresh, local foods onto school lunch trays.

According to the ICT story by Vincent Schilling:

“One possible and viable solution to address the severe conditions of poverty, social stress and health and nutrition problems in Native communities and schools is a Farm-to-School program in which local farmers supply produce to the schools directly within in their communities.

“Though it may seem like a simple remedy, government regulations stand in the way of small farmers supplying such schools, because before a farmer can sell their wares, they must first gain certification by the United States Department of Agriculture.

“The good news is that such an achievement is possible. Thanks to the efforts of the First Nations Development Institute (FNDI), a Navajo community-based charter elementary STAR School and a Navajo Farmer, a successful Farm-to-School program is more than just a theory.”

To read the story in its entirety, visit the ICT site.

The First Nations Development Institute’s report, which offers guidelines for other schools and farms, is also available online.

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