Media Advisory: State Leaders Celebrate Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Students in hundreds of public schools across the state will get a taste of fresh, Maryland-grown and produced food in their lunches during the eighth annual Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week, Sept. 14-18. A statewide celebration with special educational activities and local lunch with students, farmers, state and local officials will take place at Preston Elementary School in Caroline County from 8:45 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Homegrown School Lunch Week is an element of the Jane Lawton Farm to School Program, signed into law in 2008. The program is designed to help educate students about the origin of their food, how it is produced, and the benefits of a healthy diet as well as to expand markets for Maryland farmers. More information: www.marylandfarmtoschool.org.

WHAT:          Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week Statewide Celebration         

WHEN:          Thursday, Sept. 10

WHERE:       Preston Elementary School (Caroline County), 225 Main Street, Preston, MD 21655

NOTE: Enter the school off of Noble Ave (not the front entrance).

Agenda for the Day

• 9:00 a.m.: Speaking program begins at the school
• 9:30-11:30 a.m.: Tour of three Caroline County farms
• 11:45 a.m. -12:30 p.m.: Tasting stations and lunch with students featuring local Maryland meat, crab and produce, 
• 1:00-1:30 p.m.: Chesapeake Culinary Center, 512 Franklin Street, Denton, MD 21629. Event concludes with grand opening tour of the new restaurant kitchen at Chesapeake Culinary Center.

WHO: Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder; Caroline County School Superintendent John D. Ewald; and Preston Elementary School Principal Dr. Lois McCoy.

NOTE:  Please confirm attendance by calling 410-841-5888 or 410-841-5889.

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