{"id":30068,"date":"2026-09-28T12:21:48","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T16:21:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=30068"},"modified":"2026-09-28T12:21:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T16:21:48","slug":"celebrate-maryland-homegrown-school-lunch-week-from-september-28-october-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2026\/09\/28\/celebrate-maryland-homegrown-school-lunch-week-from-september-28-october-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrate Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week from September 28 – October 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 28, 2026)<\/b> \u2013 Governor Wes Moore has declared September 28 – October 2, 2026 as Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week! This annual celebration encourages school districts across Maryland to include local food in their school lunches and celebrate the farmers and watermen that help feed our state.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week is just one part of the <\/span>Maryland Farm to School Program<\/span><\/a>, which is administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). It aims to bring locally-produced foods into schools, provide hands-on experimental learning to students and integrate food-related education into curriculum while promoting the benefits of local, nutritious food.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHomegrown School Lunch Week is about more than putting local foods on our students\u2019 lunch trays. It helps them understand where that food is coming from and introduces them to the farmers and watermen that produce it,\u201d said <\/span>Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks<\/b>. \u201cWhen students taste a locally grown apple, learn how milk gets from a dairy farm into their milk carton or meet the people behind their food, we build a connection to Maryland agriculture that can last a lifetime. Those experiences help create informed consumers who understand the value of buying local and supporting the agricultural community that feeds our state.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaryland\u2019s Homegrown School Lunch Week reflects our commitment to meals that support students’ health and learning while maintaining community connections,\u201d said <\/span>Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey M. Wright<\/b>. \u201cFresh, Maryland-grown ingredients in school meals provide a deeper understanding of local farmers and producers. I am proud of the partnerships across our state that help bring local foods into our schools, and I appreciate the school nutrition teams whose dedication fuels student success.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week kicked off with a special event at Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School in Hagerstown, Maryland on September 28, 2026. Students participated in over 10 different hands-on activities, sampled local foods and enjoyed a reading of <\/span>The Dog Who Saved the Bees<\/span><\/i>, with each student receiving a copy of the book to take home. The event was held in partnership with MDA, MSDE, Washington County Public Schools Food & Nutrition Services, Washington County Public Schools Career and Technical Education, American Dairy Northeast, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation and Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFarming and agriculture is a rich part of our community’s heritage and our local economy, so Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week is especially meaningful for us across Washington County Public Schools,\u201d said <\/span>Washington County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Gary Willow<\/b>. \u201cOur Food and Nutrition Services team places great care in serving nutritious meals to students every day. This week in particular provides an opportunity to help students better understand the connection between the food on their trays and the people who grow it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo me, farm-to-table means ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, can enjoy fresh, healthy food and know where it comes from,\u201d said <\/span>Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School Principal Jamie Hade<\/b>. \u201cWe are proud to celebrate our local farmers while creating experiences that support the well-being of our students. A majority of our students rely on school meals, so it’s critical that they have nutritious options. Every fresh meal from our cafeteria contributes to their health, learning and success well beyond their time with us at Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Participating farms and activity partners included <\/span>Clear Spring Middle & High School Future Farmers of America (FFA)<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Hancock Middle & High School FFA<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Boonsboro Middle & High School FFA<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Smithsburg High School FFA<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>North Hagerstown High School<\/span><\/a> Culinary Program, <\/span>Washington County Health Department<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Washington County Business and Economic Development<\/span><\/a>, Rinehart Orchards, <\/span>Dairy Maid Dairy<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Moon Valley Farm<\/span><\/a> and Hoffman\u2019s Meats.<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout the week, Washington County Public Schools Food & Nutrition Services will feature Maryland-grown and produced foods at schools throughout the county, including all-beef hot dogs from <\/span>Hoffman Meats<\/span><\/a>, fresh apples from <\/span>Rinehart Orchards<\/span><\/a> and salad mix from <\/span>District Farms<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

School districts across the state will also participate in Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week by providing students with locally-sourced school meals and educational materials. Some activities will include:<\/span><\/p>\n

Calvert County Public Schools<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n