Ten counties getting $5,400 each for farm-to-school programs

More than $50,000 in grants were awarded to Kentucky school districts this week to start or expand farm-to-school programs, an effort meant to support local farmers and get healthier meals in school cafeterias. Funding was given to Calloway, Carlisle, Daviess, Fayette, Madison, Marshall, Mercer, Owsley, Perry and Woodford counties. Each county got $5,400.

County health departments will form teams of school food-service directors, teachers, farmers and community advocates. "These teams will implement activities in local schools that include three program areas — cafeteria, classroom and community — as a way of educating children about what they eat; what they learn about food; and what they observe in their communities," said a press release from the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

Funding was awarded by the department's Obesity Prevention Program. For more information about farm-to-school programs in Kentucky, click here.