MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) The Department of Agriculture has a farm to school program to encourage school meal programs to use locally sourced foods, produce and meats, in their school meals program. October is “National Farm to School Month” and October 7-11 is “National School Lunch Week”.
The USDA has distributed $2 million in funds to South Dakota schools to assist them in putting local ag producers’ products on school lunch tables. Individual schools may take advantage of the program by applying to the USDA.
The goal of the program is twofold; to help local producers market their products profitably and to improve the quality, variety and nutritional value of school meals.