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Sheridan County

Montana Harvest of the Month

Published: 2019
By Sheila Friedrich
Montana Harvest of the Month (HOM), a program of Montana Team Nutrition and the Office of Public Instruction, showcases locally-grown produce and farm products and exposes students to new, healthy foods. Monthly lessons include education, activities and taste tests for a focus food of the month. The Plentywood School, for the second year, participated in Harvest of the Month with an increase in program participation from 74 students in four classrooms to 115 students in seven classrooms. Extension Agent Sheila Friedrich provides the activities and taste tastes including lessons on leafy greens, chickpeas, beef, apples, winter squash, grains and dairy. Students continue to show great enthusiasm for the program, with nearly all at least trying a food they may have not eaten before. The staff in the school cafeteria reports an increase in the numbers of students who are selecting the featured food for the month when offered. “Harvest at Home” is a handout sent with students to share with their families. Students and parents have reported preparing the shared recipes at home. The Plentywood School was recently notified they were the recipients of a grant from Harvest of the Month to help continue the program in the school.
Using a giant cheeseburger, students learn that all parts can come from locally-grown foods.