Wash High to host farm-to-table event
Food distribution part of open house
Washington School District leaders are excited about a new partnership with a trio of local nonprofits that will improve nutrition and food access throughout the region.
The district has joined the Highmark Foundation, the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank and the Westmoreland Food Bank to host a first of its kind farm-to-table food distribution event next week.
The event will run from 5:30 p.m. till 7:30 p.m. outside Washington High School on Oct. 8, the same night as the junior/senior high open house.
The building has also recently undergone a round of extensive cosmetic and functional renovations, and district staff are looking forward to debuting the fruits of their work.
“It’ll be a great night to showcase our building renovations, to meet our staff and see their educational programs, all while meeting the nutritional needs in the community,” said district Superintendent Alisa King.
The nonprofit coalition has guaranteed at least 8,000 pounds of fresh produce will be available during the event, much of which will be sourced from local farms across western Pennsylvania, King said.
All produce from the event will be free of charge, King said, adding that there will be no age, income or residency requirements to secure a portion.
Every attendee is guaranteed at least 10 produce items, which could include potatoes, tomatoes, corn and onions, among many other options.
Highmark is holding 36 similar events across the region in an ongoing philanthropic effort to combat food insecurity.
These events are targeted at school districts, churches and communities with the greatest food insecurity, she said.
King said the district is looking to make the farm-to-table event an annual occurrence, with the potential for further collaboration with Highmark if the event sees strong public support.