Holmen School District: Integrating Hydroponics into Farm-to-School Program

The Challenge

Holmen School District aimed to enhance their existing Farm-to-School program by increasing access to fresh produce in school cafeterias. They also sought to provide hands-on agricultural education to students and engage the broader community in healthy eating practices.

The Solution

Holmen School District decided to integrate Fork Farms’ Flex Farms into their established Farm-to-School ecosystem, which includes an apple orchard, outdoor garden, and indoor greenhouse. With the addition of the Flex Farms, managed by high-school agriculture students, they are able to maintain a reliable supply of fresh, year-round salad greens. Kristen Slade, Nutrition Team Leader at Holmen School District, highlighted the importance of the program by stating, 'It is all about exposing students at a young age to their food and where it comes from. It’s a wonderful thing for not only students but parents to see their kids are eating fresh grown foods. It doesn’t get any more wholesome than that.'

The Results

After implementing the Flex Farms, Holmen School District saw fresh, school-grown greens integrated into school lunches. Student engagement increased significantly, with more students willing to try new foods they had helped grow and prepare. The hands-on learning experiences led by high-school agriculture programs were authentic and impactful. Metrics reported by the district showed that six Flex Farms were in operation, 1,230 lbs of food waste were saved, and the equivalent cropland capacity utilized was 2,907 sq. ft., demonstrating the operational gains and sustainability achieved through this initiative.