Fayette County’s public schools was recognized with the Golden Radish Award, a prestigious statewide farm-to-school distinction which acknowledges the outstanding leadership of school representatives building comprehensive farm-to-school programs.
The school district was recognized for its efforts to educate students on nutrition and agriculture by State School Superintendent Richard Woods, Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, and Georgia Organics Board Chair Mandy Mahoney.
Fayette County was recognized at the Bronze level for their accomplishments during the last school year, which include:
* Local food items were featured on the lunch menu 59 times last year, including grape tomatoes, cucumbers, apples, ranges, collard greens, turnip greens, carrot sticks, broccoli, and cabbage.
* Local farmers visited Fayette County schools at least six times last year, including fruit and vegetable farmers, dairy farmers and a local beekeeper.
* Students learn math, science and nutrition during lessons in the six edible gardens throughout the school district.
School districts across Georgia are using farm-to-school programs to teach core curriculum, support their local economies, fight obesity and other preventable, food-related diseases, and increase the amount of local food they serve to their students.
The 2015 Golden Radish Award recognizes school districts for all aspects of farm to school during the 2014-2015 school year—from local food procurement to hosting taste tests to gardening with students—and is awarded at Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Honorary Levels to districts with varying levels of farm to school programs.
“Eating fresh, locally sourced food at school is great for our students,” said Woods. “When kids are healthy and energized, they’re ready to tackle their academic tasks. Farm to School also provides an opportunity for students to learn more about the role and impact of agriculture – Georgia’s largest industry – in our state.”
Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black couldn’t agree more. “Our programs, like Feed My School for a Week and the Georgia Grown Test Kitchen, inspire students to expand their taste buds and connect with the farmers who support the state of Georgia. We are thrilled to participate in the Golden Radish Awards and to assist in creating markets for farmers that also benefit our children’s health and education.”
“Having access to locally grown fruits and vegetables is so important for teaching children healthy eating habits now,” said Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “Poor nutrition can cause health problems, overweight and obesity, and inhibit healthy brain development, including the ability to acquire language and literacy. The habits children pick up at this age will lead to healthy physical, emotional and intellectual outcomes that they will carry into adolescence and adulthood.”
“It is incredible to see the growth of farm to school programs in the last few years,” stated Mandy Mahoney, Georgia Organics Board Chair. “Every day, children across our state are getting the opportunity to grow and taste Georgia food in school. I’m excited to see Georgia’s school and agricultural leaders invest in these programs and in our children.”
