This October, join the Cooperative Extension offices across North Carolina by celebrating National Farm to School Month and National Apple Month by crunching into locally grown produce. The 2022 NC Crunch Day will take place on Wednesday, October 19th. This day promotes healthy eating and supports farm to school and other local food purchasing initiatives throughout the state. In 2010, Congress declared October National Farm to School Month, recognizing the important role farm to school plays in promoting well-being among children and strong local economies. From school gardens and farm field trips to local food on cafeteria trays, farm to school practices help children learn about where food comes from and make healthier choices while also creating new markets for local and regional farmers. “Farm to school is an important tool in the fight against childhood obesity and food insecurity,” said Helen Dombalis, Executive Director of the National Farm to School Network. “There are important economic benefits, as well. In the most recent USDA Farm to School Census, schools reported purchasing nearly $800 million in local food from farmers, ranchers, fishermen and food processors in their communities.” Learn more about the farm to school movement at farmtoschool.org.
Try the following recipe courtesy of the Colorado State University Extension website or for more information, follow us on a variety of social media sites: Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @persongranvillefcs
Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookies – makes 16 cookies
2 over ripe bananas
½ cup peanut butter
2 tsps vanilla extract
3 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
2 cups oat (quick cooking or old-fashioned)
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp cardamom (optional)
½ large carrot, grated
¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Mix in the peanut butter and vanilla extract. Add all the other ingredients to the bowl, except the carrots and nuts. Mix well; it will be a thick batter. Mix in the carrots and chopped nuts, using your hands if necessary. Shape the batter into balls and place on a baking sheet, spacing evenly. Flatten the balls to form a cookie shape. Bake for 10-13 minutes. Cookies are done when the outside turns slightly golden-brown.
“NC State University and N.C. A&T State University are collectively committed to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status. NC State, N.C. A&T, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.”
