District recognized by USDA for meal innovations; grant covers staff summit travel and summer-meal service doubles year over year

Food-service staff told the board the U.S. Department of Agriculture has recognized Greenfield-Central as a small and rural School Food Authority (SFA) "lunch trailblazer" for efforts that included increasing fresh produce, reducing sodium and preparing new scratch recipes. The award includes approximately $5,000 in travel value for three staff to attend a Healthy Meals Summit this fall.

The district's submitted recipes cited in the award included a chicken-broccoli flatbread, a ramen-noodle bowl and a pizza-soup with grilled cheese. Food-service director Amanda Stout (referenced in the meeting) told the board the recognition also brings practical value: the USDA award will fund travel and participation for staff.

Summer meals: Stout told the board the district was on pace to double its summer-meal servings compared with the prior year and that final numbers would be available after the program ends next week. The USDA recognition and operational changes were tied together in staff comments as examples of the district's innovation in meal preparation and efforts to increase participation.

Board action: The board approved acceptance of the grant/donation as presented and recorded the amount as approximately $5,000 in value for travel and participation costs.