Bowling Green schools buy local foods, reap rewards from state

Bowling Green Independent Schools are working with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and nearby farms and purveyors to offer locally grown food in their cafeterias, Jenna Mink of the Bowling Green Daily News reports.

This year, the district has bought locally-grown watermelons, strawberries, peaches and apples. "They're in the process of getting three types of lettuce and tomatoes," Mink reports.

The school district is also participating in the Kentucky Restaurant Rewards Program, which allows buyers of locally grown produce to get receive cash-back rewards from the state agriculture department. Bowling Green schools reportedly received a check for $1,800 for three months of food.

Students are being exposed to local foods, as well as to fruits and vegetables in general, in other ways. Through a pilot project with the Department of Agriculture, students from Bowling Green as well as Scott County are taking field trips to local orchards.

Two area elementary schools are also part of the federally-funded Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, in which grant funds help buy fresh fruit and vegetables for the students. Teachers hand out the produce as a snack three to four times a week. (Read more)