More students can enjoy local food at lunch with the arrival of fresh food carts at their schools.

It’s part of an expanding pilot project that supports farmers by promoting locally-grown foods and will benefit students at eight schools in the Strait Regional Centre for Education. 

“We’re promoting local foods and part of that is helpingsome of the biggest kitchens in our province find ways to get more local foods on the menu,” said Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow. “Fresh food carts at our schools help our farmers get their local products on more plates while giving students more healthy options.”

The food carts are large, portable salad bars offering carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, onions, apples and other seasonal produce.

Portable Salad Bar

The cost is $4 for students.

Schools participating in the three-month $200,000 pilot project at the Strait Regional Centre for Education are:

— Dalbrae Academy, Southwest Mabou (grades 9-12)
— Inverness Education Centre/ Academy (grades P-12)
— Tamarac Education Centre, Port Hawkesbury (grades Primary-8)
— Antigonish Education Centre (grades Primary -4)
— Chedabucto Education Centre/ Guysborough Academy(grades Primary-12)
— Richmond Education Centre/ Academy, Louisdale(grades 5-12)
— East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy, Monastery (grades Primary-12)
— Saint Mary’s Education Centre/ Academy, Sherbrooke(grades Primary-12).

“Our farm families place significant value on ensuring that children and youth can access fresh, local produce, while connecting to where it is grown. We know it will foster the health, economic well-being and vitality of our communities and future generations.” said Allan Melvin, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture.

The first food cart pilot project was launched in April at participating schools in the Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education.