Community Corner
Eating Local: Maryland Schools Rank No. 5 in Nation
Maryland's Farm to School Program is highlighted.
School lunches in Maryland are fresher than ever with menu items that include local apples, peaches, tomatoes, corn and milk, according to a recent report.
Maryland is one of eight states where more than 75 percent of its school districts participate in programs to offer locally grown products and teach students food-related lesson, according to the USDA’s recently released Farm to School Census. In addition, the census ranks Maryland fifth in the nation for the amount of local food served in schools.
“Maryland’s Farm to School Program provides students with nourishing foods necessary for academic success, while strengthening their understanding of health, agriculture, and local economies,” said State Superintendent of Schools Lillian Lowery in a prepared statement.
The USDA Farm to School Census reportedly covered the 2011-2012 school year and showed that Maryland schools participated by:
- Buying local products and building school gardens
- Promoting locally produced foods at school in general
- Celebrating Farm to School Month
- Holding taste tests/demos of locally produced foods
Anne Arundel: 5 percent
Baltimore City: 29 percent
Carroll: 4 percent
Harford: 20 percent
Howard: 30 percent
Montgomery: 5 percent
Prince George's: N/A
For more information about the USDA Farm to School program, visit www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool.
See more about Maryland's programs at www.marylandfarmtoschool.org or www.eatsmartmaryland.org.
TELL US: What is your child's experience with school lunches? Leave a comment to let us know.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.