The Golden Radish Awards Growing and Celebrating Georgia’s Farm to School Programs The Golden Radish Award honors Local Educational Agencies in Georgia who are doing extraordinary work in farm to school. The Award is presented by the Georgia Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Public Health, UGA Cooperative Extension, and Georgia Organics. This report summarizes the 2014-2017 evaluation of the Award program.
BeneďŹ ts of the Golden Radish Awards
Encourages and sustains district participation in farm to school
Serves as a guide for planning, expanding, and evaluating farm to school
This report summarizes the evaluation of the Golden Radish Awards from 2014-2017 conducted by Jennifer Jo Thompson, Ph.D. and Melanie Narciso Department of Crop & Soil Sciences University of Georgia.
Provides positive recognition
Connects districts to resources and technical assistance opportunities
Growth of Golden Radish Awardees
Over 40% of Georgia school districts now participate
Encourages Resilient Communities In 2017, 63% of Golden Radish Awardees were high free and reduced price districts. out of 97 million locally grown meals were served in high free and reduced price eligible districts
Encourages Institutionalization of Farm to School Farm to school language included in district-wide policies
40 districts!
13 districts
Community Partners 83% of repeat Golden Radish Awardees report involving community members every year
4 201
7 201
Why Golden Radish Awardees do Farm to School
68.6%
60%
54.3%
To educate students about agriculture and food systems
To keep school nutrition dollars in the community
Because of the high quality of local food
School Nutrition Directors Say: “The kids. When you see the smiles on their faces it’s all worth it.”
“The appeal is first and foremost the quality of the food, introducing the students to fresh foods... Putting money back into our local economy, supporting those farmers... And just the educational component... some of our children don't have fresh fruits and vegetables prepared for them at home.”
“Children with challenges, they may be special needs... getting those kids out there in the garden is just phenomenal... You're so proud of the things they grow and getting to play in the dirt and having a purpose."
Sustaining Farm to School Programs Challenges
time
labor
Opportunities
money
unique staffing success
garden volunteers
farmer connections
awareness of farm to school
Looking Forward
Support efforts to advocate for local and state policies and financial support for farm to school efforts
Focus on areas not currently participating www.georgiaorganics.org
Expand racial equity lens by addressing social justice issues and increasing access