BCSD Nutrition Department Recognized for Farm to School Program

Congratulations to the Baldwin County School District School Nutrition Department for being recognized for the Farm to School program. To qualify for this award, the school district must meet the following criteria:

Criteria 1: Locally Grown Items in School Meals 

Criteria 2:  Farm to School Promotions/Marketing Are Done Throughout the School Environment 

Criteria 3: Schools Have Edible Gardens 

Criteria 4: Farm to School Language is Adopted into Policy or Procedure 

"Our Nutrition Department continues to seek new ways to provide nutritious and delicious meals to our students so that they can reach their potential in the classroom. Teaching students about the food on their plate and where it comes from is just a piece of this puzzle," stated Dr. Noris Price, Superintendent of Schools.

What is Farm to School?

Farm to School is a movement that connects all parts of the food system with all aspects of the school day. It creates an educational opportunity for students to identify where food comes from, learn why it is important, and apply knowledge from all subject areas in an engaging way. It is experienced through eating local foods in the school cafeteria, working with school gardens, and by participating in food-based learning activities that meet established curriculum criteria.

Some examples of Farm to School implementation in Georgia Schools include:

• Serving locally grown foods in school meal programs

• Curriculum connections through incorporating food, agriculture, and nutrition into the curriculum

• Taste Tests

• Hands-on learning through school gardening

• Farm field trips

• Visits to schools by farmers and related professionals including small business owners, registered dietitians, and culinary professionals

• Partnerships with Culinary Programs