Fayette schools’ farm-to-school efforts win second award

From left, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, State School Superintendent Richard Woods, Fayette County School Nutrition Director Kokeeta Wilder, Fayette County School Nutrition Lead Manager Ginger McCann, Fayette County Master Gardener Sandy Golden, Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, and Georgia Organics Executive Director Alice Rolls at the Georgia State Capitol for the 2016 Golden Radish Award ceremony.

From left, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, State School Superintendent Richard Woods, Fayette County School Nutrition Director Kokeeta Wilder, Fayette County School Nutrition Lead Manager Ginger McCann, Fayette County Master Gardener Sandy Golden, Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, and Georgia Organics Executive Director Alice Rolls at the Georgia State Capitol for the 2016 Golden Radish Award ceremony.

The Fayette County School System has received its second consecutive Golden Radish Award for its farm-to-school achievements. The school system received the 2016 Golden Radish Award at the silver level, stepping up from last year's bronze level award. Fayette is among just 10 school systems that received the silver level award. Fifty-three Georgia school systems received the honor, which recognizes initiatives from local food procurement to taste tests and gardening with students. Fayette County's activities included 16 student taste tests, visits to farms or farmers' visits to school 15 times, and 41 hands-on student cooking and food activities. The Georgia Departments of Agriculture, Public Health, and Education, as well as Georgia Organics, sponsor the Golden Radish Award. School systems were presented with their awards during a special ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol on Oct. 24.