A national program designed to connect the agricultural community with schools is being initiated at Southern Door schools.  Local foods are purchased, promoted and served in the cafeteria or as a snack. Sara Gray, Farm to School coordinator at Southern Door School District says hopes are to incorporate more agricultural curriculum into all grade levels and eventually bring more fresh produce into the school lunch program.  She says bringing more awareness of agriculture to the students is the emphasis right now.

Southern Door schools received a planning grant this year from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and hopes to obtain an implementation grant by 2022.  The Farm to School program can also include hands-on gardening, along with student participation in education activities related to agriculture, food, health or nutrition.  Gray adds that a survey for the community will be available on the school’s website by the end of next week.