Students at Booker T. Washington Magnet High School and other Montgomery County schools were treated to a special lunch event highlighting locally grown products through the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries' (ADAI) Farm to School Program.

In collaboration with Sweet Grown Alabama, the program hosted "Sweet Grown Alabama Plate Day," offering students fresh ingredients sourced directly from Alabama farmers including those in Baldwin County according to a news release.

All Montgomery County Public Schools participated in the event, where nearly 18,000 pounds of locally grown produce and meat were distributed throughout school cafeterias. Students had the option to enjoy a salad featuring Alabama-grown lettuce, grape tomatoes and cucumbers or a burger made from locally raised beef, paired with sweet potato fries. Both meal options included satsumas, a popular Alabama citrus fruit.

Local farms played a crucial role in supplying the ingredients, including beef from Mason Hills Farms in Grand Bay, tomatoes from Boatwright Farms in Steele, lettuce and cucumbers from Extreme Green Farms in Auburn, satsumas from GCC&P Cooperative in Fairhope and sweet potatoes from Sirmon Farms in Daphne. The sweet potatoes were processed into fries by Glyen Holmes in Webb.

"This event was a great opportunity to demonstrate to schools how they can incorporate multiple Alabama grown products in their meal services," said Ag Promotions Director Don Wambles in the release. "I'm incredibly proud of this program and the dedicated farmers and Child Nutrition Program directors who help make it possible."

The Alabama Farm to School Program aims to promote healthy eating habits among students while bolstering the state's agricultural economy. By connecting local farmers with schools, the program provides fresh fruits, vegetables and other locally grown items for school meals. In addition to nutritious food, students often participate in educational activities such as garden-based learning and farm visits, offering them a deeper understanding of where their food comes from and the significance of local agriculture.

For more information about the Alabama Farm to School Program, visit https://agi.alabama.gov/fts.