Comer encourages Kentucky schools to serve fresh local foods on ‘Farm Fresh Fridays’

State Agriculture Commissioner James Comer wants Kentucky schools to offer fresh, local foods for students on Farm Fresh Fridays. The program will launch with Farm to School Month in October, according to a Department of Agriculture press release.

School food-service directors have been asked to provide at least one Kentucky Proud fruit or vegetable each month. Students will be encouraged to talk about their Farm Fresh Fridays activities through social media, and hopefully will learn about local food through the program.

“Serving fresh local foods to our school children will provide them the nourishment they need to grow up strong and healthy,” Comer said. “It also will provide educators a way to teach them about where their foods comes from. At the same time, buying farm-fresh foods helps local farmers make a living.”

During the 2011-2012 school year, the Farm to School Program distributed local foods in about 702 schools to approximately 364,000 children. To read more about the program, go to www.kyagr.com or contact Tina Garland at 502-382-7505.