By Scout Nelson
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Minnesota Grown Program has made a groundbreaking move by naming three school districts as the 2023 Minnesota Grown Farm to School District of the Year. This inaugural contest celebrates the districts' dedication to serving and promoting state-grown foods to their students.
The top honorees of this year include Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools as District of the Year, Glacial Hills Elementary in Starbuck as the Rising Star, and Hutchinson Public Schools winning the People’s Choice award.
MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen lauds these districts for their innovative and leadership-driven approach to incorporating local foods into school menus, benefiting students, farmers, and the community alike.
The judging criteria for these awards focused on the diversity of local foods in school meals, the number of local producers involved, and the promotion and educational activities related to local foods. Special emphasis was given to how these districts highlighted Minnesota Grown foods during National Farm to School Month in October.
Each category holds unique significance. The District of the Year award celebrates extensive efforts in serving and promoting local agriculture, while the Rising Star acknowledges a district that has shown remarkable progress in its Farm to School program. The People’s Choice, determined through social media votes, recognizes popular choice.
Krissy McIntyre of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools shares insights into their year-round local food purchasing strategies, involving local food items from 12 Minnesota farms, and the department's commitment to fostering these partnerships.
In recognition of their accomplishments, MDA staff will visit the winning districts to present awards this winter. Each district will receive a commemorative plaque, exclusive logo rights, and public acknowledgment of their efforts. The District of the Year will be granted on-site culinary training for its food service staff.
This contest, supported by a USDA Farm to School Grant, reflects a collaborative effort between the MDA and the Minnesota Farm to School Leadership Team, aiming to continue annually.
The Minnesota Grown Program, established over 35 years ago, is a partnership between the MDA and local producers, focusing on promoting specialty crops and livestock from Minnesota.
Photo Credit: minnesota-corn-growers-association
Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Education, Livestock