MENOKEN, N.D. – On October 27, Menoken Elementary hosted Pride of Dakota Fresh School Lunch Day, a hands‑on event that brought the state’s agricultural heritage into the cafeteria. Children from kindergarten through eighth grade sat down to a lunch featuring ingredients grown right here in North Dakota, reinforcing the connection between the classroom and the farms that feed the community.
Connecting students to the land
The program’s goal is simple yet powerful: help children understand where their food comes from and show them the vital role local farmers play in sustaining families and the regional economy. By highlighting North Dakota‑grown produce, the school encourages families to consider locally sourced meals at home.
Local producers share expertise
Legendary Greens, a Menoken‑based microgreen grower, set up a demonstration table where students learned how tiny greens are cultivated and harvested. The hands‑on lesson gave kids a glimpse of modern farming techniques and the care that goes into producing fresh, nutritious food.
Student voices praise the experience
“Because it supports their business and it’s like North Dakota grows them and so it’s kind of cool to see what we grow,” said Cecilia Fiedler, an eighth‑grader who enjoyed the fresh salad bar. Her classmates echoed the sentiment, noting that seeing familiar crops on their plates made the lesson feel personal and meaningful.
State officials join the tour
North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Deputy Superintendent for the Department of Public Instruction, Dr. Kelly R. Hensley, attended the event. Both officials toured the school with the students, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to agricultural education and the importance of supporting local producers.
Boosting the local economy
By featuring North Dakota ingredients, the lunch day not only educates but also provides a direct economic boost to regional farms and food businesses. When schools prioritize locally sourced meals, they create steady demand that helps keep family farms thriving and sustains jobs throughout the state.
Looking ahead
School officials hope to make Pride of Dakota Fresh School Lunch Day an annual tradition, expanding the program to include more farms and a broader range of produce. The initiative aligns with statewide efforts to promote farm‑to‑school programs, improve nutrition for children, and strengthen the agricultural sector that forms the backbone of North Dakota’s communities.
Parents and community members are encouraged to support local growers by purchasing at farmers’ markets, joining community‑supported agriculture (CSA) shares, and advocating for policies that keep school meals rooted in home‑grown ingredients.
Original reporting: KFYR-TV Bismarck (news) — read the source article.
