DeKalb County Farm-to-School Program Scores a Win

The DeKalb County Farm to School Movement scored a big win recently when the DeKalb County School Nutrition Program announced that this year, all schools will be featuring at least one Georgia-grown produce item each month. 

The department will be working together with Dexter’s Farm of Buford, Ga, to bring a different, seasonal fruit or vegetable into cafeterias each month, along with nutrition education materials about the foods and their origins. 

According to a statement issued by Connie R. Walker, Assistant Director of School Nutrition for DeKalb County, “this program supports the department’s mission to promote lifetime wellness to DeKalb County students and staff by serving meals that are high quality, nutritious, enjoyable, and economical.”

Farm to School is a national initiative that provides students with fresh fruits and vegetables through the connection of in-state farmers. DeKalb County’s program began last year with the support of Georgia Organics and other companies and individuals, including Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, DeKalb County School Board member Nancy Jester, CDC members, representatives from the DeKalb County Board of Health, House Representative Stephanie Benfield (District 85), and many others. 

Fernbank Elementary has led the way for the county, launching their own farm to school program and spearheading that of the county, inviting representatives from other schools to attend meetings, view their program, and look at their school gardens. 

Last year, they hosted three “produce of the month” days in line with items on the school lunch menu, asking students to try broccoli, carrots, and apples on their designated days. Students were encouraged to buy lunch that day and choose the produce of the month, or if bringing a lunch from home, to bring that month’s featured produce or consider buying a side dish from the cafeteria. Participating students received a special hand stamp and had their picture taken for a bulletin board display. In addition, Fernbank has a school garden, and they held several “tasting days” during PE classes last year. Fernbank invites other schools to use their program as a model or to use their own creative methods of promoting the Farm to School produce.

First on the calendar is Georgia watermelon day this Friday, August 26, followed by Gala apples in September and Granny Smith apples in October. The produce will follow the Georgia growing season, including items such as sweet potatoes in the fall and then strawberries next spring.