Cafe Jacob to start buying vegetables from Bolivar-Richburg school
BOLIVAR- How can you support Farm to School in your
community? Since the 1990's, school gardens and eating fresh food at lunch has
become a growing American trend. Sabrena Day, new owner of Cafe Jacob in
Bolivar, is partnering with Bolivar-Richburg's Wolverine Environmental
Education Center (WEE) and simultaneously putting a Farm to Table twist to her menu.
With the connection made by Cassandra Bull of Cornell Cooperative Extension of
Allegany County, the Cafe will start purchasing seasonal produce grown at Bolivar-Richburg
to highlight in their specials.
This partnership started off seamlessly this
week with Day purchasing kale, purple and orange carrots, and peppers.
"Cafe Jacob is re-opening with such a fantastic start. I'm already
starting to list all of the dishes we can highlight with their wonderful
vegetables" says Day.
In 2018, Bolivar-Richburg Central School District (BRCS)
acquired a vacant lot adjacent to their high school and committed to using it
for agricultural based STEAM-education. Through community involvement,
administrative support, and much legwork, BRCS has changed the area from a
burned, condemned house to the Wolverine Environmental Education (WEE) Center.
The center is now equipped with structures such as a shed, running water, a
covered pavilion work space, a small flock of chickens, and a full-fledged garden. Students in the Sustainable Living and
Agriculture course, led by teacher Patricia
Eshelman, are the stewards of the
school farm. The class introduces BRCS students to a wide survey of topics and
opportunities the agricultural industry has to offer. Its mission is to create
informed consumers and to inspire a new generation of environmental stewards.
Students gain essential hands-on experiences that they can carry forward in
both their personal/professional lives and leave the class having a basic knowledge
for growing their own food and food preservation techniques.
"Our students are not only growing the crops, but
weighing, packaging, and pricing." says Eshelman. "This is a unique
way that we can raise funds for our program and teach our students business and
life skills." In yet another win-win partnership, BRCS will be collecting
Cafe Jacob's food waste to compost at their school farm and use as fertilizer
for years to come. This is just one way that Allegany County is ahead of the
curve in Farm to School and community engagement. You can stay up to date on
the BRCS WEE Center by following them on Facebook and Instagram. For more
information about Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Farm to School Program, call
Cassandra Bull at 585-268-7644 ext. 25 or email her at cb775@cornell.edu.
