Auburn schools launch innovative local food hub to enhance student nutrition

The Auburn School Committee meeting on February 5, 2025, highlighted significant advancements in local food sourcing for school meals, driven by the USDA's School Food Systems Innovation Grant. The initiative, led by the newly appointed project coordinator, aims to enhance the nutritional quality of meals served to students while supporting local farms.

The School Based Food Hub project has already made impressive strides, sourcing food from 23 different farms within a 50-mile radius of Auburn. This effort not only strengthens the local food system but also fosters direct relationships with six nearby farms, allowing for more personalized and efficient food sourcing. The project has successfully integrated a variety of local produce into school menus, including apples, cauliflower, and beef stew, with positive feedback from students on taste tests.

Future plans include expanding taste testing events to engage students further and enhance their connection to the food they consume. The school nutrition department is also investing in new processing equipment to improve food preparation capabilities, which will allow for greater use of local produce in meals.

The meeting also underscored the importance of community involvement, with Congressman Jared Golden expressing support for local food initiatives during a recent visit. The school committee plans to keep his office informed about the project's progress, ensuring continued advocacy for local food sourcing.

As the Auburn School Department moves forward, the focus remains on scaling up operations, enhancing staff training, and fostering community engagement to ensure that local foods are a staple in school cafeterias. This initiative not only addresses nutritional needs but also reinforces the community's agricultural roots, making it a significant step towards healthier school meals for Auburn's students.