Lost Sierra Food Project announces that employees Marielle Fehrenbacher and Emma Talamantes visited Indian Valley Academy in Greenville during the morning Aug. 21 and gave taste tests of local cucumbers, peppers and squash.
The produce was grown on Rugged Roots Farm in Quincy, and 80-plus high school students participated. Leftover produce was used in the school’s salad bar for lunch.
This event was just the latest in a series of farm-to-school efforts by the nonprofit. In July, LSFP reported that staff worked with Plumas Unified School District Nutrition Services to bring a taste of the farm to Quincy kids during the summer free lunch pickup program. Produce was harvested for distribution by Lost Sierra Food Project’s high school interns.
“Low-pressure taste tests of fresh, minimally processed fruits and veggies is just one way we hope to expand palates and bring more locally grown foods into Plumas County schools,” said LSFP.
During the fall semester, LSFP plans to continue to work with schools to conduct more taste tests, provide recipe kits for older kids and offer farm field trips for all grades.
The organization says this work is possible thanks to a 2025 Farm to School grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the generosity of donors, and regional partnerships.
Additional reporting by Ingrid Burke
