Press Release: Congressman McGovern Visits Acton-Boxborough’s Expanding Farm to School Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 30, 2024

CONTACT:

Simca Horwitz
Co-Director
Massachusetts Farm to School
413-253-3844

Congressman McGovern and additional legislators, school staff, and advocates gather to celebrate Acton-Boxborough’s Expanding Farm to School Program

ACTON, October 30, 2024

On October 28th, U.S. Representative Jim McGovern and staff from the office of U.S. Representative Lori Trahan visited the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School to highlight the district’s expanding farm to school program. Joined by State Senator Jamie Eldridge, State Representative Simon Cataldo, Deputy Commissioner Winton Pitcoff of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, and Rob Leshin, Director of Food and Nutrition for the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, participants toured the school cafeteria, enjoyed lunch featuring featuring local vegetables from Massachusetts farms, and discussed the federal and state investments in school meals and local agriculture that have made this program so successful. 

“Nutritious school meals help fuel learning and set students up for success in school. I was thrilled to spend the morning at Acton-Boxborough High School meeting with students, educators, school nutrition professionals, and state and local legislators to learn how federal and state resources are being utilized to prepare locally-grown, scratch-cooked meals,” said Congressman James P. McGovern, Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and a senior Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee. “I even got to sample some of the food — the curry cauliflower was incredible! I’m eager to continue working with my dear friend and colleague Rep. Lori Trahan to continue bringing federal resources back to Massachusetts to support successful nutrition programs like this one.” 

“We are committed and dedicated to increasing our student participation by offering more nutritious, delicious and diverse meals. We are excited to take advantage of every opportunity available to us to expand our program and include as many fresh and local products as possible. This commitment helps our students learn and grow and it also helps our local community of farmers,” explained Kirsten Nelson, Director of Food and Nutrition Services for the Acton-Boxborough schools. The district has increased their purchasing of locally grown fruits and vegetables by 48% in just one year. Acton-Boxborough is one of 241 Massachusetts school districts that are participating in a federally funded program called Local Food for Schools. Acton-Boxborough received $31,000 through the Local Food for Schools program, which enabled them to forge a strong relationship with a local food distributor, The Boston Food Hub, located in Acton at Stonefield Farm. 

The Boston Food Hub offers distribution of a wide range of fruits and vegetables from over 30 Massachusetts and New England farmers. The Local Food for Schools program has had a dramatic impact on their sales. They went from 1 school customer and $500 of annual school sales prior to the program to 28 school customers in the first year. “The Local Food for Schools program has generated over $130,000 in revenue for 34 of our farm partners. It’s a win-win-win when farms have added revenue in the off-season, our staff have reliable year-round work, and students have access to fresh and nutritious locally grown fruits and vegetables.” said Senior Food Hub Manager Annie Broad. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced an additional year of funding for the Local Food for Schools program, its long term stability is uncertain. 

Serving local foods is also a key part of Acton-Boxborough’s strategy to offer more menu items reflective of the growing cultural diversity in the district. Friday’s menu included curry chicken or cauliflower, a new menu item that has proved very popular with students. “I applaud the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District for establishing this collaborative effort to deliver a diverse menu of nutritious meals for their students,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. “Acton-Boxborough’s farm to school program should serve as a model for other districts across the country who can source food locally to support the agricultural economy and ensure their children are eating better, healthier meals at school. I’m honored to partner with Congressman McGovern on the national fight against food insecurity, and I’m glad that he was able to see firsthand the incredible work being done here in the Third District.”

With the establishment of free school meals for all Massachusetts students, daily participation in the school meal program in Acton-Boxborough has grown by over 60%. “Acton-Boxborough is a model of how Universal Meals is a win for students and for farmers. More students are accessing the nourishing foods they need to learn and thrive, and more purchases are being made at local farms,” said Simca Horwitz, Co-Director of Massachusetts Farm to School, a statewide organization that helps connect local growers with school customers and helped organize the visit to the school.

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For more information about Massachusetts Farm to School visit, www.massfarmtoschool.org. Photos available upon request.