Media Advisory: State, Local Leaders Kick Off Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week

Denton Elementary School Event Slated for September 26

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Students in public schools across the state will get a taste of fresh, Maryland-grown and produced food in their lunches during the 12^th annual Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week, September 30–October 4. A statewide celebration with a speaking program, a local food tasting room, reading “Right This Very Minute” activities, and lunch featuring local products with students, local food suppliers, and state/local officials will take place at Denton Elementary School in Caroline County on Thursday, September 26 from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Denton Elementary School students from kindergarten through fifth grade will also have the opportunity to experience the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation’s “Food, Fiber and You” mobile science lab.

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 students learn about the origin of their food, how it is produced, the benefits of a healthy diet, and to expand markets for Maryland farmers. For more information, visit: www.marylandfarmtoschool.org.

WHAT: Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week Statewide Kick-Off Event                                                  

WHEN: Thursday, September 26
10:30 a.m. – Speaking program begins at Denton Elementary
11:00 a.m. – Lunch with students featuring local agricultural products AND a Tasting Room of local products
12:00 p.m. – Reading to students

WHERE: Denton Elementary School 303 Sharp Road, Denton, MD 21629 (Caroline County)

WHO: Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder; Maryland State Department of Education State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon; Caroline County Public Schools Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Mr. Milton Nagel; Caroline County Public Schools Supervisor of Food Services Beth Brewster; and Denton Elementary School Principal Susan McCandless.

RSVP: Please confirm attendance by contacting Megan Guilfoyle at megan.guilfoyle@maryland.gov or 410-841-5889.

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