2024 Massachusetts Farm to School Kale Blazers

Office of Food and Nutrition Recognized as Leaders in Farm-to-School Efforts

Farm to School recently recognized BPS's Office of Food and Nutrition Services as “Kale Blazers,” leaders in the farm-to-school movement who demonstrate excellence in bringing healthy, locally grown foods and food education to students.

STATEWIDE (Massachusetts) – February 3, 2025

Each year, Massachusetts Farm to School recognizes “Kale Blazers”, leaders driving significant change in farm to school efforts across the Commonwealth. This award honors individuals who demonstrate excellence and innovation in bringing healthy, locally grown foods and food education to students. Since naming the first Kale Blazers at the 2016, this award has celebrated those at the forefront of the farm to school movement.

This year’s Kale Blazers include two individuals from the Boston Public Schools Office of Food and Nutrition Services - Heidi Rivera and Anneliese Tanner. They are joined by additional honorees Kerrita Mayfield of the Amherst Regional Public Schools, and former Massachusetts State Representative Paul Schmid.

Anneliese Tanner, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, Boston Public Schools
Since taking on her role in 2023, Tanner has been instrumental in advancing Boston Public Schools’ focus on sourcing local food. Boston Public Schools serves 45,000 students across 125 schools. She has significantly increased local and values-based food purchasing, making strides in implementing the Good Food Purchasing Program, a collaborative citywide initiative led by the City of Boston’s Office of Food Justice to harness the power of municipal institutional food purchasing to achieve social, environmental, and economic goals. Tanner is on track to reach Boston Public Schools’ goal of sourcing 30% local food, and her initiatives emphasize culturally affirming meals, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students. "Anneliese's work leading BPS Food & Nutrition Services has provided a steady and strategic vision to ensure students have a nutritious taste of home at school and that we are buying food that helps support regional farmers, values workers and protects our climate and farmland. Her expertise, creativity and dedication have already made significant strides for BPS students in less than two years,” said Aliza Wasserman, Director, City of Boston Office of Food Justice.

Heidi Rivera, Cafeteria Manager, Henderson Inclusion Upper School, Boston Public Schools
Rivera exemplifies how individual dedication in school kitchens can drive the farm to school movement. Known for creating a warm and inclusive cafeteria environment, Riverai’s efforts encourage students to explore healthy, locally sourced foods. A colleague shares, “She is an amazing asset to our inclusion school community, ensuring every day that students feel welcome and supported in the cafeteria.” This positive school cafeteria culture encourages students to try the new healthy, local foods being served and thrive throughout the school day.

These honorees are making an impact across school food and nutrition, education, and policy. They represent the best of Massachusetts’ commitment to creating a more inclusive and sustainable food system.

“Through the Kale Blazer award, we are honored to recognize the local heroes who are strengthening the food system in Massachusetts. From educating the next generation of climate leaders, to championing public investment in farm to school programs, and changing the ways schools source and prepare meals, the 2025 Farm to School Kale Blazers are an inspiration to us all,” said Mass. Farm to School Co-Director, Simca Horwitz.

About Massachusetts Farm to School
Founded in 2004, Massachusetts Farm to School strengthens local farms and fisheries while promoting healthy communities by increasing local food purchasing and education at schools. The organization provides training, technical assistance, and advocacy to support farm to school initiatives statewide, fostering sustainable relationships between local institutions and food producers.

For more information, visit www.massfarmtoschool.org.

Rights and Responsibilities

Students have rights that entitle you to a free public education -- and students and parents have responsibilities as a partner! Below is a list of some of your rights as a BPS student. If you have ideas about how to make your school a better place to learn, Speak up! Talk to other students, talk to your teachers and principal. Go to your school site council meeting and let your voice be heard.

PUNCTUALITY
You have the right to enter the school building even if you arrive late.

MILITARY RECRUITMENT
When you complete the Parent & Student Agreement/Release of Information to Military and Higher Education Recruiters section of the Guide to Boston Public Schools for Families and Students and return it to the school, military recruiters cannot access your personal information.

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION
If for disciplinary reasons you are excluded for more than 10 consecutive school days, you have the right to alternative educational services.

HOMEWORK
Homework should be relevant to the day's lesson and provide preparation for the next day and should be reviewed in class every day.

SCHOOL RULES
You have the right to participate in decision-making at your school—contact your headmaster about your School Site Council, which must contain two students elected by their peers. School Site Councils make decisions on staffing, budgeting, and school rules.

METAL DETECTOR
You have the right to be treated with respect while walking through metal detectors at school.

CELL PHONE
Cell phones must remain off and hidden during school. You may use cell phones before or after school hours, outside, or inside.

TEACHER EVALUATIONS
BPS collects student feedback to be used as evidence in educator evaluations.

ALTERNATIVE DISCIPLINE
Suspension and expulsion should be your administrator’s last resort. You have the right to disciplinary interventions before exclusion from school.

STUDENTS TO TEACHERS
All high school students have the right to fill out a Student-to-Teacher Constructive Feedback Form for every teacher as a way to give feedback on classroom management and instruction.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Students have the right to elect a government of their peers by secret ballot, and you have the right to seek and hold office at your school. Each year, elections must be held by October 15.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
90 hours of PE must be given at each school for each grade.

If you are familiar with your school-based rules and believe any of these rights have been violated, please report the incident by filing a grievance online. All reports will go to the BSAC and the Chief Operating Officer of the Boston Public Schools. Students are also encouraged to report violations to trusted teachers or school leadership.

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Rights and Responsibilities