St. Mary’s County To Celebrate Fresh, Healthy, And Local Foods - Farm to School Month Celebrations Encourage Families to Choose Local Foods - September 27, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 27, 2024

Dr. J. Scott Smith, Superintendent of Schools, 301-475-5511, ext. 32178
Ms. 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 and Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Leonardtown Elementary and on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at Dynard 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 these two 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 helps to grow our local economy and provides fresh fruits and vegetables grown just down the road from where our students live. All students at Leonardtown and Dynard elementary schools will be offered a free slice of watermelon during their lunches, grown by local farmers from Oakville, Maryland. Additionally, ground beef from Hole In The Woods Farm And Meats and Part Green Hill Farm will be used to make hamburgers and cheeseburgers for lunch on those days.

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! 

Follow more about Maryland’s Farm to School initiative: @MSDEnutrition on Twitter and Instagram. Tag @MSDEnutrition and @Mdfarm2school and use the hashtags #MHGSLW, #MDKidsEatLocal.