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SALT LAKE CITY — October is National Farm to School Month, and the Utah Local Food Advisory celebrates by having kids sink their teeth in Utah apples during "Apple Crunch Day."
Every year, the Utah State Board of Education hosts the Farm to Fork Program, which includes the delightful Apple Crunch Day.
Sen. Luz Escamilla remarked, "All of the kiddos come together to celebrate Apple Crunch Day, and it serves a very specific purpose. It's where we begin educating our children about how their food reaches their table and their school. It's an opportunity to remind the community of how much we rely on our farmers and growers here."
The day not only satisfies taste buds but also imparts knowledge about local agriculture to Utah students, establishing deeper connections with it.
Majestic Elementary Arts Academy celebrated Apple Crunch Day with JSD Nutrition Services staff handing out apples and hosting apple-themed activities. Apple Crunch Day celebrates National Farm to School Month by helping students crunch into Utah-grown apples. pic.twitter.com/m2ntffORgo
— Jordan District (@jordandistrict) October 19, 2023
Kate Wheeler from the Utah State Board of Education added, "We currently have 32,000 preschool and K-12 students participating in the Apple Crunch. Those schools and child care centers will spend over $28,000 on local apples in just one day."
On the last Wednesday of October, students near and far will sink their teeth into various types of apples, and some may even take a field trip to a local orchard.
Wheeler said, "We encourage as many Utahns as possible to crunch into one of these delicious Utah-grown apples, with the goal of strengthening the connection that Utah students have with Utah agriculture."
In addition to promoting access to nutritious foods for all children, Apple Crunch Day also encourages local consumption, benefiting food growers right here in the Beehive State.
