Bringing Local Apples to Schools

Kim Lapacek, Proprietor of Lapacek’s Orchard

Outline• Who am I and why am I here?• How did I get involved with Farm to School?• How does my orchard benefit from the Farm to School

Program?• What do we send to the schools?• What “government” resources have helped us in our

Farm to School Journey• Barriers to overcome in Farm to School• What do we need/want from schools to make Farm to

School Sustainable

Who am I and why am I here?• Kim Lapacek of Lapacek’s Orchard• City girl transplanted on the farm• Officially became part of the business in 2005• ~3,000 trees• Sell apples from our ‘roadside’ stand and at farmer’s markets• Started to sell apples to schools in 2007• Member of the Farm to School Advisory Council

How did we get involved with Farm to School?

• Doug Wubben Farm to School Outreach Specialist UW-CIAS

• Our first school was the Waunakee School District in 2007

• Doug connected us with other schools – Middleton, Portage, DeForest

• I contact schools in our area – Poynette, Rio• Watertown School District put out a request via the

WAGA.org for a local apple vendor

How does my orchard benefit from the Farm to School Program?

Monetarily• 2007 – $1,600 sales (1

school)• 2008 – just over $8,000 (4

schools)• 2009 – ~$19,000 (7 schools)• 2010 - ~$19,000* (6 schools)• 2011 - $24,000 (8 schools)

Personally• Lunch menu’s promote our

orchard• Children at Farmer’s

Markets ask for ‘those delicious apples they had at lunch’

What kind of apples do we send to the schools?

• We decide on the variety– Ripening times– Availability– Compatibility (most schools don’t like the yellow

apples – show bruises more)• $26/bushel with delivery regardless of apple

variety with 120 to 140 apples/bushel• Weekly or bi-weekly deliveries

2009 Kitchen Director Survey• Kids are enjoying the

apples and they have noticed an INCREASE in the quantity of apples they are consuming

• Noticed less full apples or apples with just one bite in the trash after lunchtime

• What variety did the students like best – ALL of them

What “government” resources have helped us in our Farm to School Journey?

• UW - CIAS – Initial start up and continued support

• REAP – Madison School District Snack Program

• Farm to School Advisory Council – provide guidance as to how farm to school gets expanded and promoted in this state

• Savor & Sample – Columbia County Extension

• Technical Assistance

Barriers to overcome in Farm to School

• Cooperation between Farmers, Schools, Community and Government

• Packaging• Delivery• Crop Failure

What do we need/want from schools to make Farm to School Sustainable

• Continued support• Flexibility

• Overall we’re really happy with how our experience working with the schools has gone.

Questions?

Thank you for supporting local!

608-635-4780N1959 Kroncke RoadPoynette, WI 53955

www.LapaceksOrchard.comwww.lapaceksorchard.blogspot.com

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