Celebrating National Farm to School Month, Bowling Green Independent Schools has been awarded $10,000 from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) for its commitment to serving Kentucky-grown produce and local proteins in district cafeterias.

BGISD earned the top award statewide in KDA’s Kentucky Farm to School Stars Recognition Program, which honors school districts purchasing the highest percentages of local agricultural products. Throughout the school year, BGISD cafeterias regularly featured Kentucky beef, mini peppers, peaches, strawberries, lettuce, and other local foods.

The Farm to School Stars Recognition Program is championed by Commissioner Shell to strengthen partnerships between Kentucky public schools and local producers, creating reliable, consistent markets for the Commonwealth’s farmers. BGISD received the highest grant amount out of $24,000 awarded statewide, alongside Harlan County Public Schools ($8,000) and Mayfield Independent Schools ($6,000).

"Kentucky is leading the way in connecting our farmers with school cafeterias,” Commissioner Shell noted during the announcement. “Through our Farm to School program, we're putting food raised and grown right here in Kentucky on lunch trays across the Commonwealth. These districts are showing what that partnership can accomplish.”

Funding for the awards comes from the Kentucky Ag Tag program, which collects voluntary donations from Kentuckians renewing farm license plates or Friends of Agriculture specialty plates. This year, Commonwealth drivers contributed more than $941,630 to support Kentucky 4-H, Kentucky FFA, and KDA agricultural education and school initiatives.