Snacks for School Program
An Apple a Day
Apple-a-Day is Equity Eats’ school snack initiative that delivers fresh, locally grown apples directly to Rochester-area schools. The program launched with deliveries to select schools in August–September and continues to expand—connecting classrooms to nearby orchards and turning “food rescue” into healthy, everyday snacks for kids.
An Apple a Day Purpose
The purpose of this program is to ensure every student in Rochester, Minnesota has daily access to fresh, local produce—starting with crisp, Minnesota-grown apples—while strengthening our regional food system and supporting the farmers who grow it. This program reduces food waste, improves student nutrition, and keeps food dollars circulating locally.
Why Apples? Why Local?
They’re local and abundant in Minnesota’s fall harvest, making them ideal for consistent, cost-effective school snacks.
While, sourcing from nearby growers strengthens our regional food economy and reduces waste through smart redistribution.
Rochester Public Schools Shares to Shelves
Fresh Local Food for School Resource Rooms
Shares to Shelves expands the Apple a Day commitment beyond the classroom by bringing fresh, locally grown food directly into Rochester Public Schools resource rooms. Through local farm partnerships, families can access fresh produce where they already know and trust their school community.
11,000+ lbs of fresh local food delivered to Rochester Public Schools resource rooms
Fresh Food. Trusted Schools. Stronger Families
Fresh from local farms. Right onto school resource-room shelves. Shares to Shelves brings fresh food directly into trusted school spaces, giving staff flexibility to share it with students and families according to the needs they see each day. One delivery can support multiple households, and families can return for fresh food throughout the school year.
What Goes on the Shelves?
A seasonal rotating mix of fresh produce, farm-fresh eggs, protein, whole grains, and locally made favorites such as Firewood Baked Bread, based on season and availability.
Choose How You’d Like to Support Shares to Shelves
Sponsor fresh local food for a student and their family — one share or through the school year.
Sponsor one fresh local Farm Share for Rochester Public Schools Shares to Shelves. Your sponsorship helps place approximately 20 lbs of fresh food — including seasonal produce, eggs, protein, whole grains, and locally made favorites — into a school resource room while creating dependable purchasing for local farmers.
Your sponsorship provides 17 fresh local Farm Shares from the launch of Shares to Shelves through May 2027. Each share averages 17-20 lbs of fresh local food across the season, including seasonal produce, eggs, protein, whole grains, and locally made favorites based on availability.
School staff help direct the food where it is needed most, connecting families with fresh food through a place they already know and trust.
Fresh food for families. Dependable purchasing for local farmers.
How to Get Involved
Be Part of the Infrastructure.
Orchards and distributors can donate surplus or seconds; Equity Eats handles the logistics to keep good food out of landfills and into kids’ hands.
Take Part & Volunteer
Help us sort, pack, and deliver apples to schools. Shifts are flexible; perfect for individuals, teams, or service groups.
Sponsor a School
Underwrite apple deliveries for a classroom, a grade, or an entire school. We’ll recognize sponsors (if desired) and share impact metrics like pounds delivered and students served.
The Apple a Day Project was made possible through the dedication and collaboration of many individuals and organizations committed to food equity, community health, and local farm sustainability in Southeast Minnesota.
Special thanks to:
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Olmsted County Food Coalition, for policy guidance, partnership, and resource coordination.
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Mayor Kim Norton for her civic leadership and vision in identifying and addressing food-access gaps.
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Local Farmers & Producers whose hard work and quality harvests supplied over 17,500 apple servings and 11,000 pounds of produce.
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Volunteers & Community Partners including faith-based groups, student organizations, and civic teams who provided the time, care, and logistical support
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Rochester Public Schools administrators, educators, and staff whose commitment to student well-being made school-based distribution possible.