Students at Sippican Elementary School learn about how vegetables are grown at the school’s garden as part of programming supported by the MA FRESH Grant, funded by the Massachusetts Legislature and administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
MATTAPOISETT — Old Rochester Regional (ORR) School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Director of Food and Nutrition Jill Henesey are pleased to share that the school district was awarded $30,000 in MA FRESH Grant funding from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office for Food and Nutrition Programs.
The MA FRESH (Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health) Grant is a competitive, state-funded program that supports farm-to-school initiatives and food literacy education. In its most recent round, the program awarded $1.2 million to school districts and early education programs across Massachusetts to expand access to locally sourced food and hands-on learning opportunities.
ORR is using the $30,000 grant to support experiential learning activities centered on school gardens and food systems education, with students participating in hands-on lessons involving germination, pollination, bee hives and honeycombs. These hands-on learning experiences help students better understand the connections between agriculture, science, environmental stewardship and the fruits, vegetables and other produce sold at local supermarkets.
These learning experiences are taking place at Old Hammondtown School, Sippican Elementary School, and Rochester Memorial School, giving students across multiple grade levels the opportunity to engage directly with food literacy concepts both inside and outside the classroom.
Similar grant-funded projects are taking place at 23 other school districts and 10 early education programs throughout the state with the support of the MA FRESH grant, funded by the Massachusetts Legislature and administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
“We are delighted to see a diversity of programs and communities receive funding to further food education opportunities, enhance school meals highlighting local foods, and establish food literacy programs in schools,” said Simca Horwitz, co-director of the Massachusetts Farm to School program. “We are thankful for our Massachusetts Legislators and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for making these funds available to schools and childcare centers across the Commonwealth to do this important work. We see emerging and vibrant educational and meal programs tapping into this innovative funding to support the kind of farm to school programming we envision for every community in the Commonwealth.”
Superintendent Nelson and Director Henesey thanked the Healey-Driscoll Administration and state legislators for providing the MA FRESH Grant. They also commended teachers and students throughout the district who continue to champion food literacy and hands-on learning.
“This grant is helping our educators bring food literacy to life, providing our students with engaging, real-world experiences,” said Director of Food and Nutrition Jill Henesey. “By learning about pollination, bees, and local food systems, students gain a deeper appreciation for where their food comes from and how it connects to their health and environment. These are lessons that they will take with them and share for the rest of their lives.”
“The MA FRESH Grant aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing high-quality, well-rounded educational opportunities,” said Superintendent Michael S. Nelson. “We are grateful for the state’s investment in programs that support student learning, wellness, and meaningful connections to the local community. I’d like to also thank all of our teachers who are implementing these hands-on learning opportunities and congratulate all of our students who are embracing food literacy, which is so important for as we grow in knowledge of nutrition, agriculture and environmental stewardship.”
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Students at Rochester Memorial School are learning about bees, pollination and honey production as part of educational programming supported by the MA FRESH grant, funded by the Massachusetts Legislature and administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
Teacher Nate Sander teaches students at Rochester Memorial School about bees, pollination. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
Students learn about how produce is grown at the Old Hammondtown School garden. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
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