Gazette Staff

STEVENS POINT — Over $16,660 was raised in Central Wisconsin Farmshed’s “Local Food Tastes Great!” Fundraiser.

Local students at seven schools and six clubs sold local food products in an effort to support local farms and businesses while raising money for their organizations. They would go onto raise more than $16,600 and over $27,600 in products were purchased from the local farms and food businesses.

This year, buyers were able to choose from winter veggie samplers and squash mixes, certified organic fresh cranberries, roasted coffee, honey, maple syrup, maple sugar, dried cranberries, beef sticks, cheese, summer sausage, apples, certified organic potatoes, onions, jam, popcorn, organic sunflower oil, whole grain rolled oats, a football party tray, Farmshed aprons and gift certificates to local food businesses.

A variety of products from throughout Central Wisconsin are included in the Local Food Tastes Great Fundraiser.
(Photo credit Star B Imaging)

“As a parent, I’m thrilled to have the PJ Music Department participating in Farmshed’s Local Food Fundraiser. Our neighbors and friends enjoy ordering from this fundraiser,” said parent and volunteer Lynn Markham. “This is my favorite fundraiser ever. Healthy food from local farmers — doesn’t get much better than that!”

Participating students:

Amherst Spanish Club, Bannach School, Ben Franklin FCCLA, Frame Memorial Church Youth Group, PJ Jacobs Music Department, Port Edwards School District, Roosevelt School, SPASH Gymnastics, SPASH Rugby, St. Paul Lutheran School, Tomorrow River Community Charter School, Washington School, and the University Child Learning Care Center participated this year.

Local farms and businesses who sold their products through the fundraiser include Angel Grandma’s Preserves (Plainfield), Bice’s Quality Critter Ranch (Vesper), Central Rivers Farmshed (Stevens Point), Century Sun Oil (Pulaski), Earthcrust Bakery (Stevens Point) and Emy J’s (Stevens Point), Family Natural Foods (Wisconsin Rapids), Father Fats (Stevens Point), Grandview Orchard (Antigo), Gravel Road Farm (Waupaca), Igl’s Farm (Antigo), Jay’s Hilltop Sugarhouse (Nelsonville), Liberation Farmers (Almond), Meuer Farm (Chilton), Mullins Cheese (Mosinee), Rubi Reds (Wisconsin Rapids), Ruesch Century Farm (Vesper), Slack’s (Lodi), Stevens Point Area Co-op, The Main Grain Bakery (Stevens Point), The Market on Strongs (Stevens Point), and V’s Bees (Wautoma).

This year’s fundraiser was a success through efforts from students, parents, teachers, principals, volunteers, businesses and the non-profit organization Central Rivers Farmshed. View the brochure online, find retail locations for these vendors and learn more by visiting farmshed.org.