After featuring local food 10 times in school meals, and helping to promote farm-to-school programs, the Newton County School System (NCSS) was recognized with the Golden Radish Award.

The prestigious state-wide farm to school distinction acknowledges the outstanding leadership of school representatives building comprehensive farm to school programs.

NCSS was one of 30 systems honored at the state capitol by State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge, Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald and Georgia Organics Board Chair Mandy Mahoney.

NCSS was recognized at the Honorary level for its accomplishments during the 2013-14 school year including: featuring local food 10 times in school meals; and promoting local food by displaying colorful nutrition flyers during the week when locally grown produce is served.

“The Newton County School Nutrition Program is dedicated to serving local produce and participating in the Farm to School program,” Director of Operations for Newton County Schools Jan Loomans said. “By participating in Farm to School, we are educating students about the source of their food while strengthening the local economy.”

School districts across Georgia are using farm to school programs to teach core curriculum, support their local economies, fight obesity and other preventable, food-related diseases, and increase the amount of local food they serve to their students.

The 2014 Golden Radish Award recognizes school districts for all aspects of farm to school during the 2013-2014 school year—from local food procurement to hosting taste tests to gardening with students—and is awarded at Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Honorary Levels to districts with varying levels of farm to school programs.

“When children are offered fresh, locally sourced foods, they are more prepared for learning today, and more likely to continue healthy habits tomorrow,” said Dr. Barge. “At the same time, their school is supporting local agriculture, which has been and will continue to be an anchor of Georgia’s economy. It’s a positive thing from so many angles.”