Maine students learn about local sourcing

READFIELD, Maine —  Maranacook Community High School recently held several events in conjunction with Maine Harvest Lunch Week, Sept. 29-Oct. 3.

A panel discussion with local farmers was held in the school auditorium on Sept. 30. Organized by Pat Stanton and her Principles of Sustainable Agriculture Kennebec Community College dual enrollment class, the panel brought local farmers Kevin Leavitt of Farmer Kev’s Organic, Trent Emery of Emery Farm and Michael Dennett of Crescent Run Farm together for a discussion in front of more than 30 students and faculty. Students learned about organic and sustainable practices, differences between produce and animal farming, winter challenges and what a typical day on a farm looks like. Sophomore Abby Lucas gave a welcome to open the discussion.

Meals served in all Regional School Unit 38 cafeterias were locally sourced for the week, featuring produce from both Farmer Kev’s Organic and Emery Farm and meat from Crescent Run Farm, among several other farms. For students at Maranacook Community High School, much of the produce served in hot meals and the salad bar came directly from the school’s garden. While Food Service Director Jeff Bridges has served produce from the garden, including green beans, lettuce, tomatoes and cantaloupe, since the start of the year, food service staff highlighted the produce in their offerings throughout Maine Harvest Lunch Week.