Back to School Lunches: Fresh, Local Food for Maryland Students; Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week is September 13-17

New YouTube Video Contest on Local Food for Students

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 1, 2010) – For the third year, many Maryland schools will offer locally-grown products in school lunches for Homegrown School Lunch Week, Sept. 13-17.  In some cases schools will continue to incorporate local foods in school meals throughout the year.  Maryland farmers grow and produce a wide variety of food including fruits, vegetables, bread, cheeses and meats for lunches and snacks that are available from farmers’ markets, grocery stores, and community supported agriculture farms (CSAs). This year all 24 public school systems are participating in the Farm to School Program and Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week.

“Providing students with local food for lunches and snacks as well as associated lessons helps to educate them about where their food comes, how it is produced, and the benefits of a healthy diet,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “At the same time, when you buy local products, you are helping to keep farmers in business and the land open and green. Buying locally-grown food is good for you, and good for Maryland.”

Governor Martin O’Malley has declared Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week as September 13-17.  The following are ways to ensure students can eat local all year long:

•    Find out what your children’s schools are doing to educate students about healthy, local eating.

•    Frequent the Farmer’s Markets to purchase fresh, local products (try apples, peaches, pears, vegetables, meats and cheeses).

•    Incorporate locally grown and produced foods into family meals.

New this year is a YouTube video contest asking students what buying local means to them. In a video lasting no longer than three minutes, students must thoughtfully and creatively answer the question, “What does ‘local food’ mean to you?” The first place winner(s) will receive an Apple iPod Touch, a Maryland State Park Pass, and a school lunchtime visit from MDA Secretary Buddy Hance.  The deadline to submit the video is September 20. Visit www.marylandfarmtoschool.org for details.

Linking to the old custom of bringing an apple to the teacher, Maryland’s Best is promoting apples in September.  Apples are in season and tasting great so it is the perfect time of year to take a trip to an orchard or a farmers’ market to try all of the delicious varieties our state has to offer and to savor fresh cider, pies, and other treats.  Crisp, juicy Maryland apples can also be found in many local grocery stores.  For a fun, family activity, visit a pick-your-own orchard and spend an afternoon gathering apples to make your favorite dishes. According to the Maryland Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the state’s apple production in 2008 totaled 33 million pounds with a value of $8 million. Almost every county in Maryland has at least one active commercial orchard.

For additional information about Homegrown School Lunch Week and Farm-to-School efforts in Maryland, log onto www.marylandfarmtoschool.org.

To find Maryland apples, pick-your-own orchards and other ag-tourism activities, visit www.marylandsbest.net.  Video profiles of apple farmers are also available at www.marylandsbest.net/soundbooks.php.

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