New Edible Landscape!

Thank you to all who helped plant the edible landscape at Moose Lake School on Friday, June 10th, 17th, and Thursday, June 23rd! Here are some pictures:

Total planted:
1 pear tree
4 plum trees
15 apple trees (various varieties)
80 strawberry plants
10 blueberry plants
17 herbs (various varieties)

The produce will be used in the kitchen for breakfasts, lunches, smoothies, part of the hydration station, and possibly for elementary snacks (healthy snack cart). The herbs will also be used as seasoning in the kitchen. How exciting to introduce some fresh, and very locally grown produce to the school lunch!


On another note:
The SHIP Grant is coming to an end June 30, 2011. Activities with the Moose Lake School Wellness Committee will continue, so watch for more excitement. If you are interested in joining the wellness committee, please contact Tim Caroline, Superintendent, at 218-485-4435. Thanks you for all of your help throughout this grant--the school has accomplished SO MUCH!

Planting Edible Landscape!

The Moose Lake Wellness Committee secured funding for planting "edible landscape" at the school. This ties in to multiple areas of our work plan. The produce will be able to be used in areas such as the school lunch, classroom snacks, smoothies, and the hydration station. Not only is the landscape edible, but it also beautifies the school's property--dual purposes!

Please join us in building the two raised beds and planting the fruit trees and bushes!

-June 10 (9am-12/1pm): build raised beds

-June 17 (9am-4pm): plant bushes, trees, and herbs (complementary lunch, provided by the SHIP Grant, for the 17th)

Safe Routes to School Community Meeting

The Moose Lake Active Living Coalition and the Moose Lake School Wellness Committee are partnering with the Minnesota Department of Health, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, the State Safe Routes to School Network and local partners for a Safe routes to School (SRTS) planning workshop!

WHO: Parents, Teachers, Students, School Administration, City Public Works, City Planners, Community Members, etc.

WHAT: A meeting to develop expertise in SRTS planning, identify action steps for the next 12 months, and position Moose Lake to be competitive for funding to support SRTS (available June 2011!)

WHERE: Moose Lake School's Media Center

WHEN: Tuesday, May 3, 2011 from 4-7:30pm. Dinner is provided!

WHY: Last spring, the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission completed a SRTS Community Assessment. This assessment took feedback from parents, school administration, students, etc. about the walkability and bikeability to and from school, as well as the barriers. From the information and an 'on the ground assessment', they identified successes and barriers to walking and biking to school.

With this assessment completed, the school is in a very good position to receive grant money for the next round, which is scheduled for June 15th. At this point, this meeting will be the first of its kind in Moose Lake--besides the assessment, no prior work as been done with SRTS, so please come and help us with this great development opportunity!

RSVP by April 29th!

Ellen Pillsbury at 218.529.7554 or epillsbury@ardc.org

See you on the 3rd!

 

Next Mini-Grant Funding on the Way!

The School Wellness Committee applied for a grant through the larger Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) Grant for the March 15th deadline. The following items were applied for:

--Worms for the worm bins
--Worm composting curriculum
--The Great Trays Training for Becky (Head Cook)
--Time for Becky to continue using Meal Magic (Food Nutrition Analysis Program)
--Library Resources (books and DVD's)

Make sure to look for these exciting items later this spring!

Also, for those interested, there will be a Safe Routes to School Webinar Training coming up in April. For a description of the webinar and to register, follow the link listed below.

Date: April 12, 2011
Time: 12-1pm
Register here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/948654561

Hummus Taste Test and Super Foods Lunch Day

The Moose Lake School Food Service Staff have been busy menu planning (using healthier options), and allowing students to participate in testing some of the new menu items. With the help of "Meal Magic" a nutrition analysis program, Becky Holt has been working to make each day's lunch meet the dietary requirements (as opposed to a weekly average). This is one of the main goals on the Wellness Committee's action plan, and great changes have been happening as part of this process!

On January 28, the Kitchen Staff conducted a hummus taste test for all students, K-12, as they entered the cafeteria for lunch. As with the previous taste test, Mrs. Rodysill's students assisted. The theme was to taste a healthy, unusual snack. A printed list of facts about hummus was also displayed in the hallway for students to read.

Some of the students helped to prepare the hummus by scooping it into 2oz souffle cups and added two to three mini carrots. Others handed out the cups to students who wanted to participate as they came by. Another student manned the garbage cans, one with a happy face if you liked the hummus, and another with a sad face, if you did not like the hummus. After each section of students was served, Kitchen Staff determined if the hummus was liked or not liked by observing how full each garbage can was.

The results were recorded and showed that the majority of the students liked the hummus, but it was a close call.

The next week the Kitchen Staff served a "Super Foods Lunch Day". The menu included the following:
- A super sub on whole grain bread with hummus, turkey, cheese, and spinach
- A sweet potato fries medley
- A blueberry magic dessert with slivered almonds

The students enjoyed the opportunity to try the different foods that will be integrated into the lunch menu to make it more healthy overall. Way to go Kitchen Staff!!