ST. MARY’S COUNTY TO CELEBRATE FRESH, HEALTHY, AND LOCAL FOODS - Farm to School Month Celebrations Encourages Families to Choose Local Foods

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 25, 2026

Dr. J. Scott Smith, Superintendent of Schools, 301-475-5511, ext. 32178
Mrs. Tammy McCourt, Deputy Superintendent of Fiscal and Supporting 
Services, 301-475-4256, ext. 7

 

LEONARDTOWN, MD – St. Mary’s County Public Schools will celebrate Farm to School Month at several celebrations throughout the month of October. Celebrations will take place on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Ridge Elementary School, Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at Lexington Park Elementary School, and Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary School. Additionally, students throughout St. Mary’s County Public Schools will see fresh, local produce served on the lunch line during October, which is designated as National Farm to School Month. 

Students at the three schools will participate in our outdoor Farm to School Day events, which include moving through stations and learning about different aspects of farming. Students will learn about farm animals, see large farm equipment, and learn about how their food grows. Curriculum and books for the week have been provided by the University of Maryland Extension Office and offer students an opportunity to “Thank a Farmer”. These hand-written notes from students will be distributed to farmers who have contributed to this year’s lunches. 

St. Mary’s County Public Schools Department of Food & Nutrition Services will be purchasing produce from local farms. Purchasing local products help to grow our local economy and provide fresh fruits and vegetables grown just down the road from where our students live. All students at Ridge, Lexington Park, and Duke elementary schools will be offered a free slice of watermelon during their lunches, grown by local farmers from Oakville, Maryland. Additionally, ground beef from Part Green Hill Farms and Trossbach Meats will be used to make hamburgers and cheeseburgers for lunches during events. 

Nutritional programs teach children about the importance of an active, healthy lifestyle to combat childhood obesity and enhance the role farms play in healthy eating and exercise. Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week aims to bring more Maryland-grown products to school lunches and to help educate students about where their food comes from, how it is produced and the benefits of a healthy diet.

All schools will be serving local foods during this celebration week. We encourage students to participate and eat school lunch this week!  Send your video or pictures to foodservice@smcps.org. 

Follow more about Maryland’s Farm to School initiative: @MSDEnutrition on X and Instagram. Tag @MSDEnutrition and @MDfarm2school and use the hashtags #MHGSLW, #MDKidsEatLocal.