CCSD School Nutrition Wins Top State Award for Farm-Fresh Meals

CCSD School Nutrition and Procurement Services Executive Director Tina Farmer, center right, and Culinary Specialist Jessica Emmett, center left, are congratulated on earning the Georgia Farm to School Award by state leaders including State Superintendent of Schools Richard Woods and State School Nutrition State Director Dr. Linette Dodson.

The Cherokee County School District has again earned a top state honor for serving farm-fresh meals to students!

CCSD’s School Nutrition program, which serves 5 million meals annually, won the Georgia Farm to School Award from the Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition Division.  CCSD School Nutrition has earned the award, previously known as the Golden Radish Award, every year since the program was established in 2014.  Only 42 of Georgia’s 159 school districts received the award this fall.

The award honors school nutrition programs that excel in providing fresh, locally grown produce and ingredients in meals; promoting the importance of farm to school food sourcing; and participating in school garden projects.  Award criteria was developed by the Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition Division, Georgia Department of Agriculture, University of Georgia Extension and Georgia Department of Public Health.  

“Congratulations to our School Nutrition program team for their exceptional professionalism and dedication to providing our students and staff with fresh, nutritious and delicious meals each day,” Chief Financial Officer Kenneth Owen, whose division includes School Nutrition, said.  “We’re so proud of their work to every year further increase locally grown fresh ingredients -- last year’s additions included the introduction of both Georgia grown, grass-fed and grass-finished beef and fresh apples from Ellijay’s orchards.  Executive Director Tina Farmer and her team truly elevate the excellence in everything they do.”

Ms. Farmer and CCSD Culinary Specialist Jessica Emmett, who oversees the school district’s farm to school initiative, recently were honored by Georgia Superintendent of Schools Richard Woods and other state leaders.  The Cherokee County School Board and Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis will recognize CCSD School Nutrition for this honor at the School Board’s December meeting.  

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