As part of Farm to School Month, the Mancos Early Learning Center hosted a Crunch-Off event at the beginning of October, engaging families and emphasizing local food.
Participants enjoyed fresh, local product at the event that ended in a potluck with Mancos Early Learning Center families, “sharing food and community.”
“The children eagerly crunched on carrots from Banga Farms, apples from Humblee Farms, and delicious apple chips,” Tyra Hughes, director of Mancos Early Learning Center told The Journal. “One of the day's highlights was an apple peeler and corer, generously shared by one of our families. The tool created long, curly ribbons of apple peel that the children absolutely loved, carrying them around and munching on them with delight. It was so fun, it might have been the inspiration behind Fruit by the Foot.”
The Crunch-Off takes part throughout the Mountain Plains, including Colorado, Montana, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North and South Dakota and Wyoming.
“To celebrate Farm to School Month, states throughout the Mountain Plains Region hold a friendly competition to see which state can get the most ‘crunches’ into local produce and other foods, per capita,” Hughes said.
Those who participate in a Crunch-Off, whether students, teachers, farmers, parents, community members or local food enthusiasts virtually or in-person, celebrate and support the fruits and vegetables grown in their region, while learning more about healthy eating.
“Crunch-Off events encourage healthy eating and support local agriculture while celebrating Farm to School Month and highlighting the strength a community gains from farmer-school food service partnerships,” Hughes said.
