Lewis farmers to mull sales to schools

LOWVILLE — An informational session has been set this week for Lewis County vegetable and fruit growers interested in selling to schools.

The meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday in the conference room at the Lowville Extension office, 5274 outer Stowe St., is intended to help growers better understand requirements in dealing with school districts.

"It's a different way of doing business," said Dolores B. DeSalvo, community nutrition educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County.

Producers would have to enter contracts with the districts and accede to their procedures, including delayed payments, Mrs. DeSalvo said. Schools also typically seek large orders that many growers may have a difficult time filling, she said.

As part of the county's Farm to School initiative, cafeteria managers at local schools have been surveyed to determine what types and quantities of items they may purchase locally, Mrs. DeSalvo said.

"They're receptive to it, but the price has to be right," she said.

Growers who attend this week's session will be asked for their interest and ability to provide produce for the schools, Mrs. DeSalvo said. "This is the time to find out," she said. "They're preparing for the season, if they don't have their seed orders in already."

While Lewis County does not have an abundance of large vegetable growers, some may choose to expand their crops, or use field space for vegetables instead of grains, if they have a market, Mrs. DeSalvo said.

All five Lewis County school districts and Adirondack Central School District, Boonville, on Nov. 10 served harvest vegetable soup using locally grown potatoes, onions and carrots as part of the Farm to School project.

A meeting for local food producers, including vegetable and fruit growers and bakers, who wish to sell their wares at a farmers market or roadside stand has been scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. April 15 at the Extension office.

Anyone seeking more information on either session or wishing to register is asked to call Mrs. DeSalvo at 376-5270.