Madison County schools recognized for participating in ‘5 Million Meals’ ...

Madison County School District was recognized this week at the state capitol for its participation in the “5 Million Meals” campaign, a statewide effort to get more local food in schools.

Madison County nutrition director Misty Friedman pledged to support her local economy and local farmers by increasing the amount of local food served to her students through farm to school programs, and for this Madison was one of 25 school districts awarded the “Golden Radish” award.

State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge, Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, and Georgia Organics Board President Rashid Nuri honored these Georgia school districts for taking the “5 Million Meals Challenge” and pledging to serve more local food in their cafeterias.

In 2011, thanks to the hard work of dozens of “Farm to School” advocates, three million meals featuring locally produced food were served in more than 650 Georgia schools as part of a program to teach children where their food comes from and why that matters, and inspire them to eat more fruits and vegetables.

In October 2012, Georgia Organics and its partners launched the “5 Million Meals Challenge,” a statewide effort to get five million meals made with locally grown food served in K-12 cafeterias across Georgia.

At this week’s ceremony at the capitol, Dr. Barge and Commissioner Black presented the schools and school systems that have taken the 5 Million Meals pledge with “The Golden Radish Award.” The school districts were also honored with resolutions in the state Senate and House of Representatives.

“Children learn better when their bodies and minds are fueled by nutritional meals. This program helps create a better school environment so that students can reach new heights academically,” said Barge. “It also helps us expose children to science through agriculture. We must teach our children about an industry that is so critical to Georgia’s economy in order to inspire the next generation of farmers and agricultural scientists.”

“With great programs such as the Five Million Meals Challenge and Feed My School week, students will discover the importance of agriculture through learning about the process that brings local produce and goods from an area farm to the cafeteria table, while at the same time receiving a healthy, delicious meal,” said Commissioner Gary W. Black. “These programs not only allow children more healthy alternatives and promote local producers, but also bring communities together for a great cause.”