Summer is a great time for school districts that participate in the Connecticut Summer Meals Program to integrate the abundance of local summer foods into school meals. Local food can be integrated into a Summer Meal as a side, it can be offered as a menu extra or a taste test, and you can always add a dip (dressing, hummus, yogurt) Recipes below!
The CT Department of Agriculture's Connecticut Local Food for Schools Incentive Program will reimburse local food purchases up to 50%. These funds CAN be used for summer purchasing!
Activities
Activity Sheet
Looking for some fun activities? Download and print our activity sheet so students can get excited about "Dipping Into Summer."
For Pre-schoolers
Find root activities for the little ones! Need more info about Early Childhood Educations activities? Email Shannon Raider-Ginsburg.
Do It Yourself Taste Test!
6 Steps to Taste Test
1. Put your plan together
- Build your taste test kit
- Set a location and date W
- Where do you have staff, admins and educators that are excited and supportive?
- Engage a staff member to run taste tests and keep bin organized.
2. Reach out to your farmer to see what’s available
- Have products in mind or be flexible with what the farm has
- A taste test is approx. 2 oz at most, so have a general volume in mind
3. Get the word out (a.k.a. BRAG BRAG BRAG)
- Before it happens, engage your district communications person to send out announcements to school educators and families
- Post on social media (tag your partner farm and Tray!)
- Consider engaging students to support running the taste test
- Keep your staff involved
4. Be simple and creative with your recipes
- Ask staff to come up with recipe ideas that allow for flexibility
- Keep it simple! A dash of salt or vinaigrette can be all a vegetable needs
5. Run the Taste Test
- Follow the flow of the cafeteria and support staff
- Some prefer calling students up by table, others might want students to remain seated while taste test goes table to table.
- Encourage hesitant students to “try” with their other senses
6. Celebrate!
- Be sure to display featured farm name during taste test
- Take photos
- Share voting feedback on social media
Do It Yourself Taste Test Kit!
- Table and tent (outdoor/summer meals)
- Plastic tote to store materials
- Table cloth, gloves, sanitizer, small trash can
- Trays, serving cups, utensils
- Voting board poster paper and stickers, markers, giveaways (stickers, pencils, etc.)
- Posters, signage, tape
- Clear paper stands or tabletop whiteboard + markers to promote farm
Reach out to Abigail Dubois with questions.
Recipes
Wondering how to serve your local veggies?
From the classic raw with dip to roasting and grilling. Eating veggies can be fun when we try new ways to prepare them in addition to adding a little bit of flavor.
Below you can find recipes for delicious dips. You will also find some popular ways to spice your veggies up with herbs and other flavors.
Check out our Local Produce page for more great recipes!
The CT Summer Meals Program is federally funded by the USDA and state-administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education. The program provides free, nutritious meals to kids during summer break. Summer Meals are offered at over 400 sites around the state from June to late August! Meals are free to any child age 18-and-under, no questions asked.
Find Free Summer Meals Near You!