By Blake Jackson
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) has launched a new program to incentivize schools to purchase locally grown food.
The Kentucky Farm to School Stars Recognition Program will annually award three school districts that demonstrate the highest percentage of locally sourced produce and protein in their school meals.
“Increasing purchases of Kentucky foods directly impacts Kentucky farm families,” Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said. “In addition, the local purchases positively impact schools by growing the availability of nutritious and fresh food to our school-aged children. It really is a win for everyone.”
Eligible districts must participate in the National School Lunch Program. Only Kentucky-grown or raised products used during breakfast and lunch will be considered, excluding milk.
A panel of KDA staff will review applications from eligible districts to select the top three. Winners for the 2024-2025 school year will be announced during National Farm to School Month in October.
The awards, funded by voluntary donations from Kentuckians through the "Ag Tag" farm license plate program, will be $10,000, $8,000, and $6,000 for first, second, and third place, respectively.
“Each year, KDA makes a promise to reinvest its share of the funds into our agriculture community,” Commissioner Shell said. “This year we are keeping that promise by investing into our youngest generation - our children.”
More information about the program and the application process, which has a July 31, 2025, deadline, will soon be available on the KDA website.
Photo Credit: kentucky-agricultural-board
Categories: Kentucky, Education, Government & Policy