By Amanda Pevey
Elmore/Autauga News
Top Photo: Local farmers from our area gathered at SEHS with school and government officials recently.
Last week the local farmers in Alabama, state leaders, leaders from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, and USDA Under Secretary, Jenny Lester Moffitt, for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, gathered for a meeting at Stanhope Elmore High School to discuss the new Cooperative Agreement.
The Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) signed an agreement with Alabama of more than $3.1 million to increase the purchase of nutritious, local foods for the school meal programs.
“This cooperative agreement supporting Alabama schools is another example of how USDA is working to build a more resilient food system rooted in local and regional production,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program provides an opportunity for states to strengthen ties between local farmers, ranchers, food businesses and schools, and gives students access to nutritious foods unique to the area they live in, building stronger connections across local communities. When children are fed, they can thrive and succeed. When farmers have access to local markets, particularly school markets, they are able to succeed as well.”
According to officials, the LFS funds, ADAI will purchase food directly from farmers and have them distributed to aggregation and storage facilities. In addition, the agency will work with the Alabama State Department of Education to coordinate the distribution of the purchased foods to schools that are in most need.
Dan Wambles, Director for State of Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries spoke to EAN. “It’s exciting whenever farmers see the fruits of their labor and a cafeteria where their kids or grandkids go, too. It’s farmers feeding kids and it’s a win, win situation.”
The Local Food for Schools cooperative program is one of many ways USDA is supporting school meal programs for this school year and transforming our food system for years to come.
According to Rick Pate, Alabama Agriculture Commissioner, the first priority is to purchase produce from a variety of farmers and serve fresh, local foods to Alabama school children. “We will then target almost 60 school systems in Alabama who have a 50 percent or higher of students who qualify for free and reduced meals.”
According to officials, The LFS cooperative agreement will allow organizations the flexibility to design food purchasing programs and establish partnerships with farmers and ranchers that best suit their local needs, accommodate environmental and climate conditions, account for seasonal harvests, improve supply chain residency and meet the needs of schools within their service area.
Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program is authorized by the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, according to officials.
“This was an exciting day, because we announced the formal agreement for the Local Food to School program,” said Hassey Brooks, Deputy Commissioner. “We hope this will build upon what we have done with the current farm to school program and we cannot be thankful enough for the cooperation and dedication of the Elmore County leaders have given to us to make this day possible.”
“It was exciting to have the Undersecretary of the US Department of Agriculture, Jennifer Moffitt visiting our system and doing the presentation on the Farm to School program she held at Stanhope Elmore,” said Richard Dennis, Superintendent of Elmore County Public Schools. “The opportunity to continue to grow the participation of local farmers and their produce in our school child nutrition programs is a win-win situation for everyone involved. Elmore County is excited to be participating and leading the program in the state of Alabama. Elmore County‘s CNP Director, Cacyce Davis, is the person instrumental in making this program succeed in our system.”
“This program has been a blessing to our students, and to our district,” said Cacyce Davis. “The availability of Alabama grown produce that it brings access to, is just phenomenal. Our students enjoy it, it’s a win for us, and for our farmers too. Just hope that our funding will continue and hope to build upon in the future.”
As the students were coming in to have their Thanksgiving lunch, they were welcomed with smoked Turkey from Smoking S Barbeque, gravy, cranberry sauce, Alabama grown southern field peas, mashed potatoes, garden salad, sweet potato souffle, roll, Alabama grown satsumas fruit, and a caramel apple tart for dessert.
“Meeting with the Under Secretary Moffitt, gave a display of the right people involved, and it’s a win-win situation, said Ewell Fuller, Principal or Stanhope Elmore High School. “The farmers to school program here at Stanhope Elmore High School has a huge impact, not only on the health and nutrition of our local staff and students here, but also supports our local businesses. One of the missions that Mr. Dennis task me with when I first became Principal was build relationships. This is another form of building relationships, supporting the community and local business owners. At the same time, it is changing the face of the child nutrition program, meaning the kids are getting fresh grown stuff, not canned items. It’s one of those things, it’s a win-win, and benefits everybody. I’m very proud and I want to continue to see it grow and proud to be a big part of it.” SEE GALLERY BELOW FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT.
