Deputy Under Secretary Cindy Long Celebrates National School Lunch Week & Farm-to-School Month with us!
Northwest Elementary School was visited by the USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary Cindy Long during National School Lunch Week and National Farm to School Month! The visit highlighted the healthy and nutritious meals that are provided to students, while utilizing local produce, PA-Preferred products and exploring innovative ways to further farm-to-table education!
During the event, the Deputy Under Secretary and guests toured the Northwest Elementary School kitchen and cafeteria facilities, sat down to speak with students during lunch, and joined our Northwest students in a local produce taste-test hosted by our Fresh Fruit & Vegetable grant partner. At the conclusion of the visit, Deputy Under Secretary Long praised our commitment to providing nutritious and delicious school breakfast and lunch to students, while also teaching students about nutrition and championing home-grown and locally grown foods!
The Lebanon School District’s food service provider, The Nutrition Group, has worked tirelessly to ensure that students receive delicious and healthy foods, and has recently received commendations from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Mayor Sherry Capello. In 2024, Lebanon High School became one of 37 schools to complete the Governor’s School Breakfast Challenge. Additionally, the food service program has been recognized as a Healthy Meals Incentive Innovation Award winner by Action for Healthy Kids, and recipient of a Farm-to-School Institute grant.