What’s on the menu? In Cobb schools, students can count on fresh fruits and vegetables, including crisp green beans and fresh Georgia peaches, plus fresh milk delivered all from local farms.
The Cobb Schools Food and Nutrition Services Department recently earned accolades for the District’s outstanding farm-to-table success. This is the second year the Georgia Farm to Table Award has recognized standout school districts in the state, and Cobb has won both years. The award is presented by the Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition Division (GaDOE SND) with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, University of Georgia Extension, and the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Cobb earned the Georgia Farm to School Award for the District’s focus on providing locally grown and produced items on school menus. Local products in Cobb cafeterias come from Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida, including fresh fruits and vegetables, poultry products, fresh milk, and more.
“Through our Harvest of the Month program, we promote locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, allowing students to try new items while also providing student favorites such as north Georgia apples. This program allows us to encourage students to try new foods through taste testing and cooking demonstrations of these products, which are then offered as an option at lunch,” shared Emily Hanlin, Cobb Schools executive director of Food and Nutrition Services.
So far this school year, Cobb lunch trays have included some of the following Georgia Grown items: fresh green beans from Pero Family Farms, peaches from Pearson Farms, muscadines and scuppernongs from Paulk Farm, and corn on the cobb from L&M Farms. Last school year, Cobb cafeterias featured $4.5 million in local food and $2.1 million specifically from Georgia farms and producers.
