Main Line school embraces farm-to-table lunches

HAVERFORD, Pa. (WPVI) -- A local school is embracing the farm-to-table concept in a big way.

Action News was at Friends School Haverford on the Main Line, where Chef Allie Hauptman has designed a program that brings fresh, local grown food to the lunchroom.

Little Isabella is a big fan of Chef Allie's menu, which is not only nutritious, but fresh. And it's all grown right here in the area

"What we have going is a lunch program where everything made from scratch and everything is sourced locally when possible," said Hauptman.

The meat, produce and dairy are all brought in from the Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative. The goal is to take away the packaging and the preservatives.

"We use whole foods to make real simple meals that are full of good stuff and none of chemicals and preservatives," said Hauptman. "It's not mystery meat or anything."

Everything is low in salt and sugar, so parents can feel good about what their kids are eating - even down to the homemade oatmeal cookies.

Two days a week Hauptman cooks up a free community lunch for the whole school.

"It's a big hot lunch," she said, "and students eat family-style in the classrooms. We will do things like soups and rolls and biscuits and vegetables."

The kids even raise hens, and share the eggs!

The school says the mission is to get the little ones to embrace healthy choices at a young age and also to expand their palates, introducing new foods in a fun way.