University of Minnesota Launches Initiative to Promote Healthy and Safe Food Choices for Children
Sweet-corn stalks, browned and sharpened by the late-summer sun, stand guard at the perimeter of Rae Rusnak’s squash fields in Kenyon, MN. Their main purpose? To protect the valuable squash that will land on children’s lunch trays in the Minneapolis and Kenyon-Wanamingo school districts.
“By the time the squash is far enough along for the deer to notice, the corn is high all around it,” says Rusnak, owner of L&R Produce and University of Minnesota alumna (BS ’85). “Deer don’t like the bristly stalks and leave the squash alone.”
It’s not much corn, but the stalks protect the squash until after the harvest.
Food safety starts on the farm
Rusnak’s wall of corn may protect her squash from deer, but a food safety strategy is needed to protect school children enjoying the delicious and nutritious squash through farm-to-school programs. That’s because foodborne illnesses can be spread through produce when food safety isn’t practiced on the farm.
University of Minnesota Extension helps Rusnak and Minnesota’s other 3,500 fruit and vegetable producers prevent illness through training in Good Agricultural Practices. “With all of the requirements, it can be a little daunting,” says Rusnak. “I don’t know where else I could get that training. Annalisa Hultberg, the Extension educator, was very clear, with examples from real farms and processors, and hands-on learning as well.”
Partners make it happen
Farm-to-school programs in Minnesota gained ground in 2012 when Extension began working closely with other partners, such as the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department of Education, the nonprofit Renewing the Countryside, the Good Acre food hub, and others to promote farm-to-school sales.
In addition to on-farm food safety education, Extension plays a role in connecting growers and school nutrition program buyers, conducting research on what food service directors need from farmers, and developing education in collaboration with the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture for interested farmers through a project called Wholesale Readiness.
“You know, I guess a lot of people think like me,” says Rusnak. “Together, we’re educating children and families about nutrition, and giving them good-tasting fruits and vegetables. We want kids to be happy and flourish and thrive in schools. I certainly get gratification from that.”