ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore has declared that September 30 – October 4 is Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week. This week is dedicated to promoting local food in schools and introducing students to the importance of healthy and fresh foods.

The Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week is part of the Maryland Farm to School Program, which is run by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Maryland State Department of Education. The program aims to get local food into schools, introduce students to the importance of healthy eating, and promote farm-to-school activities.

The weeklong event celebrates the state’s local food system and the importance of accessible, healthy food for students. Farm to School and Homegrown School Lunch Week are key components to teaching today’s students about Maryland’s number one industry — and helping them understand nutrition.

Many schools across Maryland will be participating in the Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week by serving local food to students. This includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meats. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about the importance of local food and how it is produced.

This year’s Homegrown School Lunch Week celebration will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at Waverley Elementary School in Frederick County. An estimated 175 third grade students will attend an assembly featuring Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks, Frederick County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson, and apple producer Katelyn Robertson of Catoctin Mountain Orchards. Students also sampled apples during lunch with help from University of Maryland Extension SNAP-Ed.

“Most kids today are unaware of how their favorite cheese stick was made or where their apples come from. Farm to School and Homegrown School Lunch Week are key components to teaching today’s students about Maryland’s number one industry – and helping them understand nutrition,” said Atticks. “It is critical we teach our future leaders about the importance of farming and sourcing local foods.”

According to the 2019 U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm to School Census, Maryland schools spent more than $19 million on local foods in School Year 2018-2019. More than 95 percent of Maryland schools serve local foods, and nearly 97 percent of Maryland schools participate in farm-to-school activities such as nutrition education, taste testing, gardening and collaborating with local farmers. Maryland was also the first state in the nation to have every public school system participate in the Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week.

More details about Maryland’s school meals programs can be found on the Maryland State Department of Education’s website. More information on Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week can be found on MDA’s website.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.