Local school and community leaders are coming together to cook up ideas on how to bring local produce into schools.

From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal Community Center in Blyn, event coordinators for the first Farm-to-Cafeteria conference anticipate 150 registered decision-makers for schools, health care organizations and farms.

Speakers and small group discussions will review current information on these programs and how to begin and sustain local produce in peninsula schools and community centers.

"The school districts have a responsibility to serve those foods and set

an example to promote

eating right," said Beth Loveridge, co-coordinator for the program.

"We should have salad bars overflowing with seasonal fruits and vegetables with as much of that local as possible."

School superintendents, teachers, board members, teachers, principals; county, hospital and port commissioners are signed on to attend from Clallam and Jefferson counties.

Loveridge said school districts that have changed their food programs, by eliminating sweets and processed foods and offering whole fruits and vegetables and nutritional education, see better behavior, grades and attendance from students.

"There is a whole army of people like me who want to see this happen," Loveridge said.

For more information on the Farm-to-Cafeteria program, visit www.

clallamgrown.org.