Cobb Reporter

In Cobb County, schools are offering students fresh produce sourced from local farms, including green beans and Georgia peaches. The Cobb Schools Food and Nutrition Services Department has been recognized for its farm-to-table efforts with the Georgia Farm to Table Award. This marks the second consecutive year that Cobb has received this honor.

The award is presented by several organizations, including the Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition Division, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, University of Georgia Extension, and the Georgia Department of Public Health. It highlights Cobb's commitment to incorporating locally grown and produced items into school menus.

Cobb sources its cafeteria products from nearby states such as Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. These include fruits, vegetables, poultry products, and fresh milk. Emily Hanlin, executive director of Food and Nutrition Services for Cobb Schools, explained their approach: “Through our Harvest of the Month program, we promote locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, allowing students to try new items while also providing student favorites such as north Georgia apples. This program allows us to encourage students to try new foods through taste testing and cooking demonstrations of these products, which are then offered as an option at lunch.”

This school year has seen various Georgia Grown items on lunch trays in Cobb schools. Among them are green beans from Pero Family Farms, peaches from Pearson Farms, muscadines and scuppernongs from Paulk Farm, and corn on the cobb from L&M Farms. Last year alone saw $4.5 million spent on local food in Cobb cafeterias with $2.1 million specifically from Georgia farms.