I’m really happy to say that we will once again be providing to a bunch of schools in our area.  Due to our poor crop last season we were unable to do this for the 2012 fall semester – but our apples are better and we’re back on board!

We will be providing apples to the following schools and districts:

Poynette, Deforest, Lodi, Waunakee, Rio, Portage, St. Mary’s in Portage, Sauk Prairie School District, Middleton Cross Plains School District, and Watertown School District.

If your school or school district is on that list – YEAH!  I’m so happy that your children will be getting delicious, tasty apples from us!  They will be receiving a variety of apples throughout the semester – anything from Paulareds, MacIntosh, Cortalnd, Empire, Spartan, Jonagolds, Jonamacs, Idareds, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious.  The schools we work with, allow us to use our discretion on what variety is best for the schools in a particular delivery time, which ensures that your children will be receiving the best of what we have.

If your school is not on that list – talk to your administrators and food service directors.  Have them contact me – lapaceksorchard {at} gmail {dot} com – to find out how it works.  We’d love to see if we can make something work so the kids are exposed to the best local product possible. 

Columbia County is doing great things to get the ‘Farm to School’ Movement going…be sure to join their group on Facebook and see how you can help!

In 2011, Lapacek’s Orchard was featured in the Wisconsin Farmer and Agri-View for our participation in the Farm to School Program.  

How do schools benefit from Farm to School?

In 2009, we conducted a survey of the schools serving our apples and here were a few important things to note:

Kids are enjoying the apples and they have noticed an INCREASE in the quantity of apples the students are consuming

Noticed less full apples or apples with just one bite in the trash after lunchtime.

What variety did the students like best – ALL of them.

Other Partnerships

I’m also really excited to say that we will be providing Monty’s Blue Plate Diner with fresh apples each week for Chef Matt to include on the menu daily.  I can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks of them and we look forward to continue building our relationship with this restaurant that focuses so much on ‘Buying Local’.