Winners Announced for 2025 Cream of the Crop Awards
Recognizing farm to school and early care leaders across Minnesota
St. Paul, MN: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Minnesota Grown Cream of the Crop Awards for Farm to School and Early Care. This new contest recognizes K-12 school districts, early care centers, and family day cares that go above and beyond to promote and serve foods grown and raised by Minnesota farmers and producers.
This year’s winners have earned the title of Cream of the Crop in their respective categories:
Minneapolis Public Schools
Little Skeeters Daycare
(Bagley, MN)
“Minnesota continues to lead the way in farm to school, creating stronger connections between local farms, classrooms, and communities.” says MDA Commissioner, Thom Petersen. “We’re proud to recognize the schools and early care providers that are making local food a vital part of how we nourish students and invest in resilient local economies that support small family farms.”
In addition to the top awards, several schools and daycare providers were honored with Outstanding in the Field recognition at three levels:
Golden Drumstick Honors
• ISD 196 – Rosemount-Eagan-Apple Valley
• Mesabi East School District (Aurora, MN)
• Northwestern Minnesota Juvenile Center (Bemidji, MN)
• Roseville Area Schools
• Love and Laughter Family Child Care (Anoka, MN)
Silver Squash Honors
• Foley Area Schools
• Holy Rosary School (Detroit Lakes, MN)
• Cannon Falls Area Schools
Bronze Berry Honors
• White Bear Lake Area Schools
• Winona Area Public Schools
• Holdingford Public Schools
Read the full press release for more information.
Do your kids and students love local?
The Minnesota Grown Cream of the Crop Contest for Farm to School and Early Care recognizes school districts, early care centers, and family day cares that go above and beyond to promote foods grown and raised by Minnesota farmers and producers. Whether it’s through locally sourced meals served in your cafeteria, community events to connect families and farmers, or food focused classroom lessons, we want to celebrate all the creative ways you connect your students and kids to Minnesota Grown food!
Information regarding the 2026 contest will be available in the fall of 2025.
Questions? Email Kate Seybold, MDA Farm to Institution Coordinator, at kate.seybold@state.mn.us.
Resources
To learn more about Farm to School month in Minnesota and how to celebrate, visit farmtoschoolmn.org/f2smonth.
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