OXFORD – The Boxberry School started a new snack program this year.

Traditionally, parents packed two snacks for their children each morning. “We were finding that some students didn’t have an appropriate type or amount of snack for their working brains. It’s hard to concentrate if you’re hungry or need protein,” says Administrator Chris Hemmings, “and as a parent, it’s hard to come up with so many snacks every week that the kids will actually eat!”

So the school decided to take on the task of providing the snacks. Parents contribute a small amount each month that Boxberry uses to buy and serve the morning snacks. Unfortunately, Hemmings didn’t realize how difficult it would turn out to be. “I could only get healthy snacks in small portions – I was trying to buy healthy snacks cost-effectively, and it was almost impossible.”

Then Lynne Rowe of Norway and Portland came in. Her two daughters are home schooled and attend Boxberry two days a week. Rowe and Hemmings were brainstorming a barter situation to pay for part of the Rowe’s tuition. “Part of what Boxberry is about is providing opportunities for all children. So if we need a service any way, we are usually willing to barter for some of the tuition,” says Hemmings.

Rowe has a garden and also belongs to an organic buying club in Portland. More importantly, she enjoys cooking. She uses the money that parents contribute to offset the costs of the snacks. She provides delicious, nutritious and varied snacks each day.

Two mornings a week when she drops off her children, she brings in a warm snack, serves it and cleans up afterwards. Warm banana bread, zucchini muffins, and tortillas with fillings have been among the offerings.

Rowe says she welcomes donations of garden vegetables or bags of apples.

“Many people have gardens and cannot possibly use the entire harvest,” says Rowe. “It’s also apple-picking season, and people tend to pick more apples than they can use. I can turn those extras into snacks that can be frozen for the winter – like apple sauce.”

If you would like to donate any fruits or vegetables, call 743-9700.