Farmer Tim

The Friday before Caroline enrolled at the childcare center, I attended their monthly Food and Nutrition Committee meeting. Little did I know that I would walk out of that meeting as the new committee chair. When the group asked if I would be the chair, they probably had no idea how seriously I would take this new responsibility. Since June, I have been convening our small but growing committee to work on several projects. The goal of one of those projects is to connect the childcare center to local farms that grow food without harmful chemicals. The committee has been working hard and we have finally identified a farmer who is interested in working with us. Tim is a student farmer at the Michigan State University Student Organic Farm. His brother used to work at the childcare center so he was enthused to learn that we wanted to buy food from the farm. Caroline and I met Tim last Friday and we were both thoroughly impressed. He seemed organized, interested, and willing to do whatever it takes to make this partnership work. And he showed Caroline a neat mobile made of various metal objects. She loved this clanking, shiny, metal thing. Yesterday, Tim went to the center and introduced himself to the cook. He brought her flowers, popcorn, onions, and a big bowl of cherry tomatoes. She was so impressed and this morning, she was still smiling. "Tim is awesome" she said. Tim is going to bring the cook a price and product list on Friday. And if everything goes well, all the children at the center may have a few farm fresh, organic, foods to try in their lunch next week.

Caroline's Lunchbox Menu, September 19: Breakfast - oatmeal, red raspberries; Lunch - tofu, zucchini, Costoluto Genovese tomato, 100% whole grain toast, apples; Snacks - cantaloupe, graham crackers

Childcare Center Menu, September 19: Breakfast - oatmeal, bananas; Lunch - turkey sandwich, pears, cucumber; Snacks - pumpkin pie