Fayetteville Public Schools, feeding kids more food grown right here in the Natural State, after receiving the largest Farm to School grant in the nation.
The cafeteria at Root Elementary served up a special menu Thursday, including beef from grass fed cows raised in Elkins and sweet potatoes grown in Arkansas.
"This tastes like what a hamburger should taste like, not what is passed off as hamburgers at a lot of places," says Adam Simmons, the district's child nutrition director.
Simmons has a passion for local food, and since taking the reigns of the district's cafeterias he's grown a stronger bond with Northwest Arkansas Farms.
"I'm all about the farmers," he says. "I grew up in Helena, Arkansas, a farming community."
The Farm to School Program is paid for with a grant from the USDA, and Simmons is expanding Fayetteville's participation.
"We were awarded the largest USDA farm to school implementation grant in the country this year," he says.
The kids get more than a tasty meal, the non-profit Appleseeds puts on a presentation, explaining the importance of eating things grown close to home.
"We just want these kids to have happy healthy bodies, and understand that their food is an experience that can be enjoyed" says Appleseeds program coordinator Natalie Freeman. "These kids are learning that vegetables are good for you, and they can taste delicious."
"It's really making them understand it a little better," Simmons says. "(They learn) how important it is for the economy, for their health and just for the community in general."
For more information about the Farm to School Program, visit this site.
The cafeteria at Root Elementary served up a special menu Thursday, including beef from grass fed cows raised in Elkins and sweet potatoes grown in Arkansas.
"This tastes like what a hamburger should taste like, not what is passed off as hamburgers at a lot of places," says Adam Simmons, the district's child nutrition director.
Simmons has a passion for local food, and since taking the reigns of the district's cafeterias he's grown a stronger bond with Northwest Arkansas Farms.
"I'm all about the farmers," he says. "I grew up in Helena, Arkansas, a farming community."
The Farm to School Program is paid for with a grant from the USDA, and Simmons is expanding Fayetteville's participation.
"We were awarded the largest USDA farm to school implementation grant in the country this year," he says.
The kids get more than a tasty meal, the non-profit Appleseeds puts on a presentation, explaining the importance of eating things grown close to home.
"We just want these kids to have happy healthy bodies, and understand that their food is an experience that can be enjoyed" says Appleseeds program coordinator Natalie Freeman. "These kids are learning that vegetables are good for you, and they can taste delicious."
"It's really making them understand it a little better," Simmons says. "(They learn) how important it is for the economy, for their health and just for the community in general."
For more information about the Farm to School Program, visit this site.
