Schools buy locally grown food for lunch programs
BOWLING GREEN Ky.-Schools across the nation are celebrating School Lunch Week, and local Bowling Green businesses are also celebrating the business they receive from school lunch programs. The Bowling Green City School District is partnered with local farms like Need More Acres and Jackson’s Orchard to provide food for students.
“It’s locally grown, they’re getting the nourishment from our region, we’re also supporting that local business, so it’s a win-win for everyone. The kids get a fresh product. Our local farmers get the business from our school which is a lot of business. It just works,” said Bowling Green Independent School District director of Food Service Dalla Emerson.
Jackson’s Orchard is a popular stop in Bowling Green, and when it comes to apples, potatoes, or squash, the schools know they won’t be in a jam when it comes to fresh food.
“Local produce is here. It’s picked today or yesterday. It doesn’t have to go through shipping channels. It can be picked tree ripe or vine ripe. With that, you’ve got much better flavor, quality, and in the end, just a better product,” said Jackson’s Orchard field manager Jonathan Price.
Price said the core value of shopping local is a golden opportunity for both the schools and the businesses.
“That’s one of the great things about Bowling Green. It’s something we take pride in, just being a part of the community,” Price said.
With more variety and more of a focus on locally grown fruits and veggies, Emerson said adding local products to the mix makes the community feel like a family.
“I just love that our community is so focused on helping each other out. Every community has an opportunity to grow and benefit from different things that we’re learning from, and this community definitely does that. We’re very proud to be here. I’m glad to be working for a district that encourages that behavior,” Emerson said.
