Governor Kay Ivey has recently proclaimed October as Farm to School Month in Alabama. According to a press release from the Alabama Department of Agriculture, since October of 2020, the Alabama Farm to School Program has been awarded $2.195 million from the state legislator for the Farm to School Incentive Program.
Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate said, “Farm to School is about more than putting Alabama-grown food on the lunch tray. It gives students a better understanding of where their food comes from, while creating another market for the Alabama farmers who grow it. During Farm to School Month, we are proud to recognize the farmers, educators, and school nutrition staff who are helping agriculture become a meaningful part of students’ everyday lives.”
According to the press release, the goal of the Alabama Farm to School Program is to connect local farmers with schools to bring fresh Alabama-grown products into cafeterias.
Audio Reporting by Elizabeth Sanders for Southeast AgNet.