The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries’ (ADAI) Farm to School Program, in partnership with Sweet Grown Alabama, hosted a “Sweet Grown Alabama Plate Day” at Booker T. Washington Magnet High School in Montgomery. The students enjoyed a lunch featuring products sourced directly from Alabama farmers.
All Montgomery County Public Schools participated in “Sweet Grown Alabama Plate Day.” Almost 18,000 pounds of Alabama-grown and produced products were distributed throughout the cafeterias of the schools.
Students had the option to choose between a salad including Alabama-grown lettuce, grape tomatoes, and cucumbers or a burger made from Alabama beef served with sweet potato fries. Both options offered satsumas.
Items served were:
- Beef from Mason Hills Farms in Grand Bay
- Grape and slicer tomatoes from Boatwright Farms in Steele
- Lettuce and cucumbers from Extreme Green Farms in Auburn
- Satsumas from GCC&P Cooperative in Fairhope
- Sweet potatoes from Sirmon Farms in Daphne, processed into fries by Glyen Holmes in Webb
“This event was a great opportunity to demonstrate to schools how they can incorporate multiple Alabama-grown products in their meal services,” said Ag Promotions Director Don Wambles. “I’m incredibly proud of this program and the dedicated farmers and Child Nutrition Program directors who help make it possible.”
The Alabama Farm to School Program connects local farmers with schools to provide fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products for school meals.
The program aims to promote healthy eating habits among students while supporting Alabama’s agricultural economy by sourcing food directly from local farms. In addition to providing nutritious meals, the program often incorporates agricultural and nutrition education activities, such as garden-based learning and farm visits, to help students understand where their food comes from and the importance of agriculture.
To learn more or get involved with the Alabama Farm to School Program, visit https://agi.alabama.gov/fts/.
For more fun photos from this event, visit https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBNCjB
