Imagine the roar of the crowd at Wrigley Field, but this time it’s not for a home run. It’s the collective crunch of hundreds of students biting into crisp apples for the Great Apple Crunch!
On Wednesday, September 18th, Seven Generations Ahead (SGA) spent the day at Wrigley Field, along with representatives from the USDA, approximately 900 K-5 students from around Chicagoland and a local apple farmer. This group was there to celebrate orchard season and kick off the Illinois Great Apple Crunch. The event was part of the Cubs’ Education Day program, and the SGA team had a blast crunching with participants in the stands before the afternoon game.
Making “Core” Memories
The excitement was palpable as kids gathered their apples, crayons, and Cubs coloring books at the entrance to the ballpark. They couldn’t wait to get to the field and start crunching! The kids got to hear from Vern Stade of Stade’s Farm and Market, who provided Gala apples for the festivities. Farmer Vern taught the kids about the apples and vegetables he grows on his farm, inspiring the crowd with his 50 years of farming wisdom and getting big laughs with apple-themed jokes. Many of the kids thought their apples were so good they asked for a second.
Crunching for a Cause
The Great Apple Crunch isn’t just about enjoying a tasty snack; it’s about connecting kids with their food and teaching them about the importance of healthy eating and sustainability.
“The Great Apple Crunch allows child feeding and education sites to reconnect their kids to the foods they eat,” said Diane Chapeta, SGA’s Farm to School Program Manager. “Teaching a child about where that crisp, delicious apple comes from and how it grows encourages them to make healthy food choices throughout their lives, and connects them to the community that grows it. It truly takes a village to educate and feed a child.”
While the kids enjoyed their apples, Chapeta shared a presentation about farm to school and the work of the Illinois Farm to School Network on the big screens around Wrigley Field, demonstrating the impact and scale of this program. The mission of the Illinois Farm to School Network, a program of SGA, is to empower children and their families to make informed, healthy food choices while strengthening the local farming economy. The Illinois Farm to School Network exposes students to the benefits and joys of eating fresh, local food, teaching them where their food comes from, and explaining the role food plays in our environment. The partnering farmers are the program’s greatest asset, and they benefit from having a dedicated school market. This work extends across the state, from rural to urban communities, and everywhere in between.
Cindy Long, Deputy Under Secretary, USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, was also at the event. After she gave a few remarks and joined in the crunch, she headed to the field to throw out the first pitch for the afternoon Cubs game. The USDA is also committed to the farm to school movement, which it supports through The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program.
In the spirit of sustainability, the event also emphasized zero waste, with kids enthusiastically composting their apple cores, taking the initiative to reduce waste and contribute to a healthier planet.
A Home Run for Health
“The Apple Crunch event at Wrigley Field was a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn about the importance of healthy eating and sustainability,” said Caroline French, SGA’s Sustainability Program Associate. “It was a fun and educational event that everyone enjoyed.”
The Great Apple Crunch at Wrigley Field was more than just an event; it was a celebration of community, healthy eating, and the joy of fresh, local food. It was a reminder that even in the heart of a bustling city, we can connect with the land and appreciate the simple pleasures of a crisp apple.
There’s still time to register for the Great Apple Crunch, which officially takes place on Thursday, October 10th! To get more information and register, visit illinoisfarmtoschool.org/great-apple-crunch.