The Alabama School Nutrition Association has awarded Alabama Agricultural Commissioner Rick Pate with their Friend of the Year Award during their annual meeting. Commissioner Pate said, “I am truly honored to receive the Friend of the Year Award. The work that school nutrition directors and staff put in every single day to serve Alabama’s students does not go unnoticed. I am especially grateful for their partnership in embracing Alabama’s Farm to School Incentive Program. Because of their willingness to connect with local farmers, we are able to put fresher, Alabama-grown products on cafeteria trays. This program is a win for agriculture, a win for our schools and most importantly, a win for Alabama’s students. I want to thank Alabama State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey for his support of this program. His support has been vital to the program’s success.”
According to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, “Commissioner Pate has been instrumental in creating Alabama’s Farm to School Incentive Program, helping create stronger connections between local farmers and school nutrition programs. This initiative increases access to fresh, locally grown products for students while opening new markets for Alabama producers, benefiting both agriculture and child nutrition statewide.“
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.