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.
Latest from Produce Grower
- The Growth Industry Episode 10: State of the Horticulture Industry
- Bimi Baby Broccoli partners with Cal-Organic Farms
- Millennium Pacific Greenhouses launches California Grown Cucumber Program
- Scientists develop vitamin A-enriched tomato to fight global deficiency
- UTIA and UT Knoxville research teams will develop automated compost monitoring system
- [WATCH] Advances in growing media for CEA production
- [WATCH] Taking root: The green industry’s guide to successful internships
- Award winners announced for 2026 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show