Local fruits and veggies

Rappahannock County Public Schools was recently awarded a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Farm to School Grant in the amount of $25,000. The grant will enable the school to further increase access to Virginia Grown foods served in the cafeteria while providing additional educational opportunities to connect school cafeterias, classrooms, school gardens, and the community.

Amanda Butler, RCPS School Nutrition Director, who was instrumental in the application process earlier in the Fall was quick to credit the support she received from partners in the school and community.

“I’d like to thank Dr. Grimsley, Rachel Bynum (RappFLOW), and Kirsten Dueck (PATH Foundation) for their letters of support which helped to strengthen our application.”

The grant will enable the school to purchase several new items including new salad bars, a tower garden, fruit and vegetable sectionalizers, and a mobile kitchen cart that will be used for taste testing and to teach elementary students healthy cooking skills.

In addition, the grant will allow for professional development opportunities for the cafeteria staff to further utilize seasonal produce on the school menus. Furthermore, it will directly allow for student educational opportunities such as field trips to farmers market and local food distribution center.

Butler added, “We are grateful to be recipients of a VDOE Farm to School Grant and are looking forward to increasing procurement of Virginia grown products and providing hands on learning opportunities for our students.”