MADISON – As part of the campaign to stimulate the creation of a viable local food system, Western Mountains Alliance and the Maine Alternative Agriculture Association are working to put fresh, locally grown fruits and produce in two local school systems.

Long range, the goal is to have a variety of foods grown on local farms served fall to spring in school kitchens. Starting this year with what is already produced in the area, there is a demand for fresh carrots and potatoes.

The overall number of pounds required this year will be relatively small, but this opportunity opens the door to the school cafeterias for local farmers interested in accessing a large, and previously under-served, local market.

By starting small as they build a working relationship, farmers and food service personnel will be able to discover ways to best accommodate each other’s needs.

Issues of size, uniformity, packing and delivery requirements are still being worked out with the schools, but producers are encouraged to think of the future potential and plan now, during planting time, to participate this fall.

For more information, interested farmers should contact Paula Day at 696-8044 or maaa@gwi.net.

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