More Natural Food Education for our Schools: Wedge-supported Education Program Nets Large Grant

By Uli Koester

Here it is midsummer and as of this writing, the legislature debates while our local schools wait to hear how many teachers and what programs will survive the annual ritual of cutting back. As the schools struggle, we wonder how well our particular form of democracy in Minnesota is really working.

Here at the Wedge, we have our democratic principles as well--and our system has already decided how much to spend on our schools this year! We are allocating $25,000, enough funds to help pay for three elementary teachers, two full and one half time. These teachers will present dynamic and motivating lessons about natural foods to children at nearby schools.

How can $25,000 buy three teachers, you say? As is our custom, the Wedge is partnering with the other co-ops in town. Back in 1994, our pooled resources were only enough to hire a part-time teacher. Around 1996, we were able to move him up to fulltime. Then a year ago, two more co-ops joined, allowing us to hire a second, half time person.

Currently Seward, Linden Hills, Lakewinds, and the Mississippi Market all contribute to the education program along with the Wedge. The contributions go to a non-profit called the Midwest Food Connection, which hires the teachers.

This summer we received a big boost: The Midwest Food Connection (MFC) received a grant of $60,000 from the Blooming Prairie Foundation, enough to expand programming and hire another teacher to bring our staff up to 2.5! This Foundation has its origins in the co-ops as well: It was formed after the Blooming Prairie Warehouse, which for many years supplied the Wedge with goods, was sold last year.

All this growth leads to some impressive numbers. In the school year that ended in June, MFC teachers presented 615 hour-long lessons at 41 different elementary schools, over half of them in Minneapolis. With the new grant money, we will teach close to 1,000 lessons in the coming year! We will also expand our program of bringing kids out to local organic farms on school field trips.

The commitment of the Wedge staff and board to this educational outreach has been crucial. Since the mid-nineties the Wedge has been giving close to $20,000 to MFC every year, often supplying over half of the organization's budget. What a reward that now, for the 2005-06 school year, the Wedge's firm and consistent support has resulted in a budget of over $140,000!

This funding level will provide an important service to elementary schools, which are -- regardless of the state budget, preoccupied with test scores and "basic" skills, and devote ever less time to nutrition education.

We know that what children eat affects not only their health, but also their ability to learn on a daily basis. Fresh produce, organic fruit, quality grains, and healthy packaged items frame Midwest Food Connection lessons and create lasting impressions for students. We teach what many in the co-op movement have known for years: whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, organically raised meat and produce, and moderation in all, are the keys to a healthy diet.

Thank you for making it all happen!

Uli Koester is Program Director for the Midwest Food Connection. If you are interested in inviting the program to your school, call (612) 871-3993, ext. 425. MFC is taking applications for employment.