On Tuesday, elementary school students at Nathan T. Hall Elementary School were treated to a taste test courtesy of Rock On Cafe and Farm to School. But what were the students tasting? Blueberry banana smoothies featuring blueberries grown from right here in New York State!

Usually, these fruits and other produce grown for taste tests are from other parts of New York State, but for these smoothies, the blueberries came from right here in the Newark Valley School District. High school art teacher Chris Negus grew these blueberries at his farm in Richford, and then brought them to the school to blend the berries up for the smoothies.

Out of all the students who tried the smoothies, 92% had a positive review, saying they either “liked it” or “loved it.”

Farm to School prioritizes healthy, local eating for schools all over the state of New York, and this was a fun way for the students to get involved in the tasting process, while also promoting our local community’s farmers!