New York Apple Farmer Brings Apples to C.V. Starr for Students To Taste Test

CV Starr students met New York farmer Jinny St. Goar during lunchtime on Monday. Jinny runs Once Munsee Orchard, an apple orchard in Wallkill, about an hour’s drive from Brewster. The orchard grows eight different varieties of apples, and Jinny brought three of them with her–EverCrisp, PinkLady and Aztec Fujis–for students to taste and compare.

The opportunity for BCSD students to eat apples from a local farm comes by way of a grant: Rooted in Learning: Growing Healthy Futures with Farm to School Education. The goal of the grant is to cultivate deeper, more intentional connections between the Cafeteria, Classroom, and Community in support of farm-to-school initiatives.

This grant is a partnership with Harvest NY and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County. Cornell Cooperative Extension assists schools with implementing and expanding farm-to-school programming, incorporating lessons on food systems and local agriculture.

“I like the idea of sending apples to schools. It’s good for students to know where their food comes from,” said Jinny.

Speaking to students over six lunch waves in the cafeteria, Jinny explained the genealogy of apples and how apples and roses are like cousins; what insects are critical for pollinating apples: bees; the parts, root stocks and scion, of the apple tree; and why NYC is called the Big Apple: because NY produces the best quality apples and is the second biggest apple-growing state in the country. 

As she spoke, students were given samples of sliced apples on the cafeteria tables. Many hands grabbed many slices, and students discussed taste, texture and snap.

“Yum! I like the EverCrisp because of the crunch,” said Lilian Mazzadre.

“It’s hard to decide, " said Stephanie Recinos-Gregario, "I like them all! No, if I had to pick, it would be the Pink Lady.”

As students sampled and discussed, they voted for their favorites by placing an apple sticker onto a board.

A cheer went up from a table of “Pink Ladies,” who had all voted for the Pink Lady, when it was determined that the variety had won the most votes by a landslide.

“Helping young learners to become more connected to their food builds a deep awareness, not only of what they are eating but also the where, who, and why of it all,” said Brandy Keenan, 4-H educator. “Knowing where their food comes from and who grows it connects students to their community. Knowing how it grows connects students to possible careers. Knowing why they are eating it connects students to nutrition and culture. This holistic education piece supports the whole student through an enrichment program that hopefully will take “root” in their mind and hearts, driving them to be curious and connected to the world they live in and lifelong learners.”

In addition to the “Harvest of the Month,” where a local farmer meets students in the cafeteria, other proposed activities supported by the grant include: NY Thursday Meals, a locally-sourced meal initiative that brings farm-fresh New York State foods to schools; education through a monthly newsletter; working with school clubs; nutrition education programming in classrooms; and participation in Agricultural Literacy Week in March.

“I'm excited to share with Brewster Students the opportunity to connect the food they eat with local farms,” said Cathy Hancock, Director of Food Services for BCSD. “We are grateful to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County and Harvest NY, who procured the grant and made this possible. Hancock is also grateful to Jinny and Once Muncee Orchards–because of the visit, she was able to purchase 24 cases of apples from the farm and will be serving them to students in the coming weeks.