The Fulton County School Nutrition Program has participated in the National Farm to School Initiative since 2011, offering all students access to locally and regionally grown fresh produce!
Each month, the School Nutrition Program works closely with a contracted produce distributor to find local or regional farmers to supply farm fresh fruits or vegetables to all school cafeterias! Since the beginning of the initiative, students have had access to farm fresh collard greens, cabbage, celery, kale, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash, apples, oranges, watermelon, strawberries, and more!
Because the local and regionally grown produce is cultivated close to home it helps support our local farming economy, and takes less fuel to get to our cafeterias! Not only is the farm fresh produce good for the environment, but also great for our bodies! Check out your school cafeteria today to find out what is being served farm fresh!
The 2020 Vision for School Nutrition is a joint, collaborative initiative between the Georgia Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Public Health. The 2020 Vision was launched in late 2015 with this initiative aim: By the start of the 2020 school year, at least 20% of the required menu components for the student meal will be comprised of Georgia grown products. In addition, at least 20% of the schools in Georgia will be challenged to have at least 50% of the required menu components for the student meal comprised of Georgia grown products.
Fulton County Schools was recognized with the Golden Radish Award, a prestigious state-wide farm to school distinction which acknowledges the outstanding leadership of school representatives building comprehensive farm to school programs.