Disappointing school lunches have become something of an American tradition…
Photo courtesy of @em217 on Instagram
…and not everyone has the knowledge or resources to pack a Pinterest-perfect brown bag.
Photo courtesy of @_manny_fc on Instagram
Until now. Enter REAP Food Group, a Madison area nonprofit dedicated to sustainable food systems.
Thanks to REAP, Madison Metropolitan School District’s students are both tasting and learning the benefits of bringing locally sourced food from Wisconsin land to the lunchroom. During the 2014-2015 school year, REAP provided 50,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables for kids in grades K-12.
Photo courtesy of REAP Food Group
Not a single cherry tomato travels further than 150 miles to get to hungry mouths in Madison.
But they don’t stop there. After all, why just have fresh kale when you can spend 5th period learning how to make kale chips with an awesome AmeriCorps member?
Photo courtesy of REAP Food Group
Or why spend your afternoon falling asleep in algebra when you can take cooking classes from the food geniuses of IAN’S and GRAZE?
Photo courtesy of REAP Food Group
REAP is not only empowering MMSD students with an exciting education, it’s setting the stage for a more nutritious and (I can’t help myself) delicious Madison food scene in the future.
But why wait until then to get in one the action? Badgers can help REAP build a more sustainable food system in Madison in more ways than one.
How to Support a Sustainable Madison:
- Like it: One click is all it takes to get the latest on local eats right in your newsfeed! Bonus: Like REAP’s partner nonprofit, Community Shares of Wisconsin, for more homegrown grub updates.
- Donate: By our calculations, a $10 investment now will lead to a whole lotta great local food to students down the road.
- Volunteer: Going back to middle school would be our first choice, but this is a close second.
- Share BIG: Share a Facebook post, share a text, share a couple of bucks, share your sweet potato fries (or not, we won’t judge). Whatever you do, share the amazing work that REAP does on March 1 during Community Shares of Wisconsin’s second annual online giving day, The Big Share! Tweet your support for #CSWBigShare and the #WeAreFarmToSchool movement to @REAPMadison!
After all, why wouldn’t you want to be a part of an organization where being involved means getting to rock a carrot top?
Photo courtesy of REAP Food Group