Each year, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture offers Farm to School grants to boost school food programs that feature local produce. Schools participating in the state lunch program can apply for these grants.
Great Expectations School (GES) in Grand Marais received a grant for the 2025-2026 school year. Food Service Director Abbyzak LeGare shared insights about their food program with WTIP. Each day, around 30-40 students eat breakfast, and about 100 enjoy lunch.
LeGare has a good amount of freedom in planning the school menu. The state outlines what needs to be included—protein, grain, fruits, and vegetables—but within those guidelines, they strive to make meals appealing. “We want to serve what kids enjoy, but we also want to encourage them to eat more fruits and vegetables,” LeGare said.
Interestingly, the grant money can be used for any Minnesota-grown products. LeGare hopes to source some meat locally. However, accessing this produce can be a challenge, especially for rural schools like GES where suppliers are limited. “I mostly rely on one or two distributors, and they dictate what I can get,” LeGare explained.
The growing season in northern Minnesota is short, which makes fresh, local produce hard to come by during the school year. LeGare is thinking long-term and aims to connect with more local farmers to better incorporate their products into the school’s menu. They’re even looking at how to align farmers’ planting schedules with the school’s needs.
Despite these challenges, LeGare is determined to strengthen students’ relationships with food. “Food connects us all. I love food, and the kids love it too. I want to keep exploring those connections,” she said.
Recent surveys show that students who have access to fresh, nutritious food are more likely to perform better in school, reinforcing the importance of such programs. LeGare’s efforts with the Farm to School grant are a step toward that goal.
For more details about the discussion with Abbyzak LeGare, listen to the WTIP interview here.
