This summer, the ACUSD Nutrition Services Farm has enjoyed an incredibly successful growing season, harvesting more than 8,400 pounds of fresh produce to date. With school out for the summer, we wanted to ensure that none of this beautiful harvest went to waste. The weekly farm stand, held every Thursday throughout July and into early August, gave community members the opportunity to purchase and enjoy fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables while supporting our school farm.

The same fresh produce grown at the farm will be featured in school meals throughout the 2026–2027 school year, giving students the opportunity to enjoy nutritious, farm-fresh ingredients in their cafeterias. This season's harvest includes cucumbers, green beans, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, Brandywine tomatoes, and a variety of squash—including the beautiful Patty Pan squash featured in the photo above.

Not everything harvested is served fresh. Some of our produce has been transformed into delicious, scratch-made items such as pizza sauce, salsa, and other recipes that will be enjoyed by students throughout the school year. From the field to the cafeteria, Nutrition Services staff along with FFA students and Scott Oneto, Farm Advisor for Amador County, are working hard to ensure the farm continues to provide fresh, local ingredients while creating meaningful learning opportunities and strengthening the connection between agriculture and nutrition.

This summer, Dylan and Taylor, members of the FFA program at Argonaut High School, joined the farm team as paid student employees. Their hard work has already made a meaningful impact, helping harvest hundreds of pounds of fresh produce.

Beginning this school year, they will have the opportunity to participate in a new agricultural class held entirely at the farm. Open to students from both Amador High School and Argonaut High School, this hands-on program will provide real-world experience in food cultivation, allowing students to develop practical agricultural skills while learning in a working farm environment.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pickles are cucumbers! The cucumber is an annual plant of the gourd family. The cucumber species is divided into two categories: slicing and pickling. Slicing cucumbers are usually served raw and in salads or other various snacks. Pickling cucumbers are developed specifically for pickling and are generally smaller than slicing cucumbers with a thick, bumpy skin.

Director of Food and Nutrition Michael Pingree was invited to present a cooking demonstration at the California State Fair on July 18, showcasing fresh, locally grown ingredients. His menu featured homemade pesto pasta with fresh basil and three varieties of squash, along with a colorful salad made with yellow and black cherry tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers.

Even more impressive, all of the produce used in the demonstration was grown at the Amador County School Farm, highlighting the value of fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

We are proud to have Michael leading our Nutrition Services Department. His passion for preparing delicious, nutritious meals and supporting local agriculture reflects our commitment to providing students with the highest quality food.

Every day, our incredible Nutrition Services team works behind the scenes to ensure that every student has access to fresh, nutritious, and delicious meals. From preparing food to serving meals with a smile and maintaining the highest standards of food safety, their dedication and hard work make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. Their commitment goes far beyond the cafeteria—they help fuel learning, support student well-being, and create a welcoming dining experience for everyone they serve. We are grateful for each member of our Nutrition Services team and thank them for their passion, teamwork, and unwavering commitment to nourishing our students every single day.