Local Beef
Feeds Fayette County Students By Kaelin Lockhart he Fayette County School System T (FCSS) is beefing up local flavor on lunch trays thanks to a new partnership
with Vista Farms and the Farm-to-School Program.
The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries program encourages schools to purchase products from local farms, such as Vista Farms and its managers, Sarah Die-McElfresh and husband Scott. Vista Farms supplies beef for cafeteria
From left are Fayette Elementary School (FES) Assistant Principal Brandi Davis, Fayette County School System Child Nutrition Program Director Jenna Mayfield, FES Principal Matthew Lindsey, Vista Farms Manager Sarah Die-McElfresh and Fayette County Board of Education Deputy Superintendent Mary Raines. 18
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NEIGHBORS
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February 2022
classics, including sloppy Joes, chili and nachos. The Fayette County partnership grew out of recent supply chain shortages. “When we saw meat counters empty in 2020, Scott and I had to do something,” Die-McElfresh said. “We decided to do a drive-thru at our community farmers market, where people drove up, gave us $20 and received a 5-pound bag of ground beef.” Within the first hour, they sold more than 800 pounds. Through the drive-thru market, Die-McElfresh sparked a friendship with Jenna Mayfield, FCSS Child Nutrition Program director. Since her start as director, Mayfield has focused on promoting healthy, well-balanced meals while emphasizing food education. FCSS implemented the Farm-toSchool Program in 2019 with local strawberries. Mayfield’s next goal was to branch out from produce to protein for her six county schools. “We’re wanting to get more locally grown products into schools…and alfafarmers.org
