MA FRESH Spring 2025 Highlights

The most recent round of MA FRESH grant recipients continues to achieve new farm to school heights! Check out recent highlights from visits to Orleans Elementary & Bristol Aggie.

Sea to School Learning at Orleans Elementary

Sea to School Learning at Orleans Elementary

This May, representatives from Mass Farm to School, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Division of Marine Fisheries, Sustainable Cape, Chatham Harvesters Fishing Cooperative, and State Representative Hadley Luddy visited Orleans Elementary School, Nauset Regional School District, during their “Meet the Fisherman” event. This event demonstrates Nauset Regional’s integration of food system learning into all aspects of students’ days and curriculum. They utilized their MA FRESH CORP grant to host a lunch & learn with Sustainable Cape and Chatham Harvesters. Fishermen came to visit Orleans Elementary students to talk about the local fish they catch, which will be served in their own cafeteria. Students were able to speak directly with the fishermen to learn more about their job, the boats and equipment they use, and how fishing contributes to Cape Cod’s economic and cultural identity. Nauset Regional has worked with Chatham Harvesters to set up lunch & learn events at elementary schools throughout the district. 

Taco Tuesday at Bristol Aggie

On June 3rd, legislative guests, along with Mass. Farm to School & DESE were in for a hyper-local treat during Bristol Aggie’s Taco Tuesday lunch, which featured Aggie-grown beef from their own cattle herd, along with a salad including tender greens, radishes, and carrots from their school garden. Senator Kelly Dooner, District Director Denise Rich, Representative Justin Thurber, along with his legislative aide Kevin Conlon, and Maureen Flanagan, District Director for Senator Michael Rodrigues’ office were able to see first hand the fruits of Bristol Aggie’s inter-departmental collaboration and learn about the implementation of their MA FRESH CORP grant, focused on coordination across curriculum and increasing in-school food production for serious job and future career training.