Dalton Public Schools receives Golden Radish Award for farm to school accomplishments

Published 12:06 am Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Dalton Public Schools is among 53 school districts to receive a Golden Radish Award, which celebrate gains made in the farm to school movement, from Georgia’s Departments of Agriculture, Public Health, Education and Georgia Organics.

The Golden Radish Award recognizes school districts for all aspects of farm to school, from local food procurement to hosting taste tests to gardening with students, and is awarded at Gold, Silver, Bronze and Honorary levels. Districts were evaluated on their work in 10 activities of farm to school.

Dalton Public Schools was recognized for these accomplishments during the 2015-2016 school year:

• Food grown in school gardens was incorporated into lunch more than 30 times including cabbage, cilantro, broccoli, pumpkin, pepper, lettuce and berries.

• School nutrition staff worked directly with students for input on menu items. Students studying the nutritional aspects of cauliflower voted to have the cafeteria prepare and serve cauliflower crust pizza.

Nearly one-third of all public school districts in Georgia with a reach of more than 1 million students participate in farm to school programs and recognized through the Golden Radish Awards.

“It is incredible to see the growth of farm to school programs in the last few years,” said Alice Rolls, Georgia Organics executive director. “Every day, children across our state are getting the opportunity to grow and taste Georgia food in school. I’m excited to see Georgia’s schools invest in Georgia farmers and in our children at the same time.”