HARTFORD - Corn salad and veggie paninis--all made from local produce! No, it's not the menu at a new downtown bistro, it's the menu at a local school.

At Hartford Central Middle School lunch is a culinary event, thanks to the 'Farm to School Program.' Chef Christina Oswald especially takes pride in the corn salad.

"Today we used fresh corn, took it off the cobs yesterday," she says.

Kayla Tiedke is a fan of the grilled veggie panini. "It tastes like a grilled cheese, but with vegetables," Kayla says.

The best part--most of the ingredients are products of Wisconsin soil!

Mary Jean Reading works for the Badger Produce Co-op, which provides the fresh produce for the program. "It's making delivery into the school district, and hitting the kids' plates that day, so it's hours out of the field," Reading says.

The produce comes from 231 local farms. Kayla tastes the difference! She says, "It's like it's basically freshly picked from your garden."

And more green on the plate means more green in the bank. Local farmers aren't only getting more business...schools are saving money. "It's costing less, coming right from the farm, so we're saving money for our kids, the community," affirms Superintendent Mark Smits.

Not all of the kids are ready to go green yet, but most of the kids do know the value of a nutritious meal. Sixth grader John Michalak thinks some kids need to improve their diets. "Some of these kids aren't as active as they should be, so I think they should eat healthier," John explains.

And for dessert - how about a melon sampling station? Oswald says it's worth the extra work in the kitchen. "We're willing to put in the little extra time for the reward," she says.

Thirty two school districts in southern Wisconsin are part of the 'Farm to School Program.' Organizers hope to continue expanding across the state.