Bartow Schools Nutrition Program 'One Of The Best' In State

CARTERESVILLE, GA -- If you see the nutrition staff at White Elementary, Adairsville Middle and Woodland High schools walking around with a bright ribbon pinned to their shirt, know they are not celebrating a birthday, rather a glowing administrative review by the Georgia Department of Education.

In fact, according to Linda Waters, an area consultant, “The Bartow County School Nutrition Program is one of the best that I have reviewed.”

Administrative reviews are required by the United States Department of Agriculture every five years, as spelled out by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (later amended as the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010).

“It provides a unified accountability system designed to ensure that participating school systems comply with the federal requirements,” said Waters.

The Bartow County School System’s lengthy review wrapped up this month with several commendations. Team members from the Georgia Department of Education noted exemplary health inspection scores throughout the school system. A bi-annual review shows seventeen schools scored 100 points on their health inspection report this year, one school scored 99 points, and another received 95 points.

All cafeteria managers in our schools are food safety certified by the National Restaurant Association. In addition to annual food safety training, district leaders developed their own tool, not mandated by the state, to ensure meals continue making the grade. That specialized tool or review includes supplementary food safety, menu compliance, and general operational inspections.

“I am particularly impressed with the additional on-site assessments conducted yearly at each school," Waters said. "They developed an extensive reporting tool that exceeds the requirements by USDA."

The review also addressed resource management. The Georgia Department of Education found that the Nutrition Services Department managed their federal funds well. Money was properly allocated to the National School Lunch, Breakfast, and After School Snack Programs.

In addition to those recent achievements, The Bartow County School System received its third Golden Radish Award from Georgia’s Departments of Agriculture, Education and Public Health, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, and Georgia Organics. School leaders were recognized at the gold level for outstanding farm to school programs during the 2016-2017 school year.

Images via Bartow County School System