M-DCPS’ FOOD & NUTRITION PROGRAM TO CELEBRATE
NATIONAL FARM-TO-SCHOOL WEEK, OCTOBER 24-29

MIAMI – Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Food and Nutrition Department will be celebrating National Farm-to-School Week from October 24 to 29, kicking off with a special presentation of the program at the State capital in Tallahassee, and at three Homestead schools during the week.

The event will provide tastings of Florida-grown fresh produce, educational presentations, and a farmers’ market for schools. Farm-to-School connects schools and local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias while improving student nutrition, providing agriculture, health and nutrition education opportunities, and supporting local and regional farmers. 

The school district has been incorporating locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables into the school lunch program since 2008. The Food and Nutrition Department received a grant through the Center for Disease Control to expand this program in 2010. Currently, the program is being piloted in 40 schools in the south end of the county with a focus of bringing produce from Homestead farms to the table.  Florida-grown, fresh produce is served through the district-wide school lunch and snack menus weekly. Items featured for this week include: star fruit and squash from Homestead and green beans and corn from Pahokee.

This year, events will be held on the following days and schools:

•  Monday, Oct. 24, from 9:20 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., at Campbell Drive Middle, 900 N.E. 23rd Ave.
•  Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 7 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., at Homestead Senior High, 2351 S.E. 12th Ave.
•  Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Campbell Drive K-8, 15790 S.W. 307th St.

Farm-to-School items also will be distributed to all 370 schools for lunch meals and as snacks for 50 schools participating in the USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program.

For more information, contact Carol Chong, Director of Food and Menu Management, Department of Food & Nutrition, at 786-275-0446 or via email cchong2@dadeschools.net.

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11-JS/201/HD

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