Middle school grows its own basil for National School Lunch Week

For National School Lunch Week, Colonial Middle School (CMS) celebrated PA Preferred Day by offering regionally produced foods and ingredients. But nothing could beat how local the fresh basil was on the Margherita pizza; it was grown in the school’s aquaponics system in the main lobby by the auditorium.

“I think the pizza’s pretty good,” said CMS eighth grader Jade Zhang Wong.

While CMS has had an aquaponics system for more than a decade, the newest (and significantly larger) system is heading into its second year. It features a 250-gallon tank and has made many new connections within the school.

The science teachers planted their own crop of purple zebrina, a plant they use each year to study the cells that let the gases and water out of plants. Eighth grade social studies students grow their own plants for a lesson about Jamestown, and the family and consumer science department has planted a variety of lettuce. The food services department also uses the system to grow herbs to use in the cafeteria.

“The basil is fresh and organic, and we’re getting it right away, so it’s not being processed,” said Sophie Morgounova, a CMS eighth grader. “It was refreshing.”

For PA Preferred Day, the lunch menu also included drumsticks from chickens raised in New Holland, items made with flour milled in Hatfield, locally grown produce, and milk from Lancaster.