Quest partners with urban farm to sample fresh food with students

FM Top 50 management company Quest Food Management Services is partnering with local farms to introduce fresh produce for students to sample throughout Urbana public school district #116 in Illinois. Sola Gratia is a non-profit urban farm dedicated to growing high-quality produce for those with limited fresh food resources, and Quest has partnered with it for two monthly sampling opportunities where students can try a variety of fresh, colorful produce in fun and flavorful ways.

The partnership kicked off with the Quest team visiting Sola Gratia Farm—which is between 1.7 and 3.8 miles from all of the schools in Urbana’s District #116—to tour the fields and taste the produce with the goal of incorporating local ingredients in the school district menus while supporting the community organization.

So far this year, Quest has featured the farm's lunchbox peppers, which were served alongside a variety of dipping sauces, as well as diced sweet potatoes with honey and cinnamon.

“The students have loved trying something new with many coming back for second helpings,” reports Quest District Manager Marissa Trout. “These tastings have created excitement around fresh produce and also allows us to introduce the benefits of healthy ingredients.”

Quest is in its first year of supporting the Urbana School District's Farm-to-School program, which is now in its fourth year, and is working with them to make connections to local farms and other stakeholders in the community. In addition to the samplings, the company has also launched regular food committee meetings that allow students to express what they are enjoying about the food service program and make suggestions regarding expanded offerings and wellness initiatives.

Related:Independent school power players