National Farm To School Month ++++ Recipe included

Farm to School is an idea that is working out well. Solving two major challenges that are facing society (1) diet and health of children (2) small farms disappearing. The schools purchase locally grown produce that they serve to students. This allows students to be served fresher produce and new farms are offered a chance to sell more. The community is brought closer together and impacts the lives of those involved in the school including the students as well as offers an education in ag. 

October is National Farm to School Month. Thousands of Schools, early care and education sites, farms, communities and organizations across the country as food education, school gardens and lunch trays are filled with healthy, local ingredients. Now, is the time to get informed, be inspired and take action for farm to school.

Schools can get involved with farm to school initiative. Here are some ways;

• Serve local food at breakfast, lunch or during snack time.
• Incorporate school gardens or food preparation within classroom lessons.
• Feature local foods in healthy school fundraisers.
• Engage students in trips to a farm or farmer presentations.
• Establish composting and waste management programs.

October is National Farm to School Month is a time to recognize that our children's nutrition is important. With 2/3 of a child's nutrition intake at school it only makes sense for schools and farms to combine. It also means local economical support as our farmers often purchase items in the local area as well. 

Check out this nutritional rich recipe. 

16 oz lasagna noodles cooked and cooled

1/2 pound cooked Italian sausage omit if you want to make them vegetarian

2 cup marinara sauce

16 ounces Prairie Farms cottage cheese

1 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese shredded

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 2 standard 12 cup muffin tins with cooking spray. Crumble cooked Italian sausage. Mix together sausage and marinara sauce in a medium bowl.

With a round cookie cutter press circles out of the cooked lasagna noodles. If you do not have a round cookie cutter use kitchen scissors to cut circles.

Press circular noodles into each muffin tin so that it forms a cup to hold the filling.

Divide about 1 tablespoon of cottage cheese into the base of each cup. Cover cottage cheese with about a tablespoon of the meat sauce. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.

Using oven mitts, place the tray in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the edges of the noodles are golden brown.

Set aside extra marinara sauce for dipping. Let cool and enjoy!

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