South Carolina is rolling out an exciting program aimed at providing schoolchildren with fresh, locally sourced foods. This initiative, called Certified SC Cafeteria, encourages schools to buy fruits, vegetables, grains, and honey produced right in the state. The goal is to help students eat healthier while also supporting local farmers.
So far, 67 school districts and schools have joined in, affecting around 538,000 K-12 students across South Carolina. The program operates with an annual budget of $1 million from the South Carolina General Assembly and is facilitated by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) along with the Department of Education.
Agricultural Commissioner Hugh Weathers shared that this program is not just about food; it’s about investing in the future of children and boosting the local economy. Schools that source the most local food will receive extra incentives, which helps motivate them to make healthier choices.
A useful addition to this program is the SC Local Food Connector, an online tool that helps farmers list what they have for sale. This makes it easier for schools to connect with local producers.
Programs like Certified SC Cafeteria aren’t new, but they’re coming back into focus. In the 1980s, similar initiatives aimed to connect schools with local providers. Recent studies show that children who eat fresh, locally sourced meals tend to have better health outcomes and learn more about nutrition, making this program timely and significant for today’s students.
As more schools participate, we can expect to see not just healthier meals but a stronger connection between students and their local communities. For more details about the Certified SC Cafeteria program, check out the South Carolina Farm to School website.
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