GN1 FILE PHOTO courtesy of Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st team.
By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Kentucky schools using locally grown food will soon be eligible for monetary awards through a new program from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
The Kentucky Farm to School Stars Recognition Program will annually recognize the three school districts purchasing the highest percentage of locally grown products. Impacts will be measured by monitoring the districts’ purchases of locally produced proteins and produce for an entire school year, according to the department’s release.
“Increasing purchases of Kentucky foods directly impacts Kentucky farm families,” Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said. “In addition, the local purchases positively impact schools by growing the availability of nutritious and fresh food to our school-aged children. It really is a win for everyone.”
Eligible districts must participate in the National School Lunch Program. Only Kentucky grown or raised products used during breakfast and lunch during the regular school year are eligible, excluding milk.
Winners for the 2024-25 school year will be announced during October, which is National Farm to School Month. Incentive levels will be $10,000, $8,000, and $6,000 for first, second, and third place. The awards will be spent on local food purchases for the 2025-26 school year.
According to the release, the department will use part of its Ag Tag funds when awarding school districts.
“Each year, KDA makes a promise to reinvest its share of the funds into our agriculture community,” Shell said. “This year we are keeping that promise by investing into our youngest generation – our children.”
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