USDA Officials Help Kick-off Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week with Educational Activities and Local Produce at Edgewood Elementary School

Governor O’Malley Declares Sept. 13-17 as Homegrown School Lunch Week

EDGEWOOD, MD (September 10, 2010) – U.S. Department of Agriculture representative Dr. Janey Thornton joined farmers, and state, local, and school officials to kick off the 3rd annual Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week today with special classroom educational activities and locally-grown lunch with elementary school students. To draw attention to the connection between healthy food and the local farms that grow it, Governor Martin O’Malley officially designated September 13-17, 2010, as Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week.

“School lunches continue to evolve this fall with the addition of more locally-produced foods.  Many students today do not know where their food comes from and many residents aren’t aware how important a part of Maryland’s environment, economy and quality of life that farms are,” said Governor O’Malley.  “Our goals are to see more local, fresh food in school lunches, to improve childhood health and the opportunity for them to learn as well as to strengthen our family farms and keep Maryland smart, green and growing. We are thrilled that all 24 of our public school systems and many private schools are participating in this valuable program.”

Today, students at Edgewood Elementary School in Harford County enjoyed lunch with fresh green beans, corn on the cob, grape tomatoes, and a variety of fresh fruit including apples, peaches and nectarines, all from local farms.  The chef also prepared a special green bean recipe for students to sample.  The fresh fruits and vegetables were purchased from Jones Family Farm in Edgewood, Wilson Mill Orchards in Darlington and Susquehanna Orchards in Delta, Penn.

Prior to lunch, farmers and government officials visited student classrooms to make the connection between farms and food to enhance student understanding of where their food comes from, how it is produced, and the benefits of a healthy diet.  Throughout the day students also explored the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation’s Showcase vehicle showing the many ways agriculture affects our lives.

“We are honored to host the statewide kick-off event for the Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week.  Agriculture is a mainstay of the economy of Harford County and we take great pride in the partnerships we have formed with our local farmers,” said Dr. Robert M. Tomback, superintendent of schools.  “The kick-off event is a one-day celebration, however, it is always our mission to encourage our students to eat healthy foods and lead an active lifestyle.”

Maryland’s efforts support USDA’s ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ initiative to help develop local and regional food systems and spur economic opportunity. “‘Know Your Farmer’ will expand a national conversation about the importance of where food comes from and how it gets to your plate,” said USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Dr. Janey Thornton. “All these initiatives create links between local farmers and school cafeterias, and provide students first-hand lessons in healthy eating and offer local producers new income opportunities.”

The Homegrown School Lunch Week, an element of the Jane Lawton Farm to School Program, was created during the 2008 Session of the Maryland General Assembly when SB 158 Farm-to-School Program – Activities and Promotional Events, sponsored by state Senator Jamie Raskin and state Delegate Sheila Hixson of Montgomery County, was signed into law by Governor Martin O’Malley in May, 2008.

More information about Maryland’s Farm to School program, including educational materials, menus, places to find local products, brief video soundbook with photos and interviews, plus much more for parents, teachers, and food service staff, visit: www.marylandfarmtoschool.org.  For information on the school meals programs, visit: www.eatsmartmaryland.org.

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