A creative partnership between local hydroponic growers Column Greens and area school districts is bringing freshly harvested vegetables from farm to tray in a day.
“What they do is really amazing, being able to cut lettuce and herbs right off the stalk any time of year, and deliver it for us to serve our students and staff,” said Justin Olson, food service director for Belle Fourche School District. “It opens up even more opportunities for us to provide delicious, nutritious vegetables in our daily program.”
Basil and butterhead lettuce are just a few of the items that Column Greens has provided to Belle Fourche and Spearfish school districts in the past few months. Both districts’ lunch programs, operated by Dakota Dunes- based food service management company Lunchtime Solutions, have served them on their schools’ unlimited fruit and veggie bars as part of their monthly Farmer’s Market Selections program meant to highlight fresh, local produce.
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