GALWAY — The Saratoga County Farm to School program has incorporated three new schools to the grant program. One of the newly added schools is Galway Central School District, which celebrated their first Harvest of the Month this past April.
Amy Thompson, Food Service and Cook Manager for Galway CSD, worked with the Farm to School Grant Coordinator Nicolina Foti (Cornell Cooperative Extension Saratoga County) to put together this activity for Galway students.
Apples were an easy choice! While it may seem like April is an odd time of year to highlight apples, and since other schools chose apples as a Harvest of the Month in the fall time, it’s a great way to educate students on the importance of cold storage crops. Fruits and vegetables which are harvested in the fall can be kept fresh for many months and enjoyed all year long!
Galway’s Harvest of the Month was a little different due to the involvement of the elementary art teacher Lynn Wasserman. She opened her classroom to highlighting the Harvest of the Month Apples to all of her classes (pre-K - 6th grade) during their art period. Students were able to taste their apples and give feedback on what they thought about them. If they thought the apples were sweet, crunchy, tart, dry, juicy, soft and/or hard. They also were able to color some educational apple coloring pages. Lynn Wasserman also spoke to the students about where they can get local apples, and why it is important to eat locally sourced products and produce. The students also learned about the parts of an apple, different types, and the season of an apple tree.
The first Harvest of the Month for Galway CSD is in the books and a great success! Thanks to all those involved and especially to those in the school district who took the time to find a way to make it work and add to the already busy school day. It is the dedication from these individuals, especially during difficult times, that give these different and immersive experiences to students.
For more information about Saratoga County Farm to School Program visit ccesaratogacounty.org Agriculture – Farm to School. Or email the Farm to School Coordinator Nicolina Foti at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
