Gilmer Schools improves lunches with local foods

The complexity of modern supply chains may connect us to the entire world, but there’s something special about local food.

Gilmer County Schools (GCS) is making efforts to give kids more local produce in school lunches, and so far, students love it.

“It tastes great,” GCS School Nutrition Director Patricia Partin said. “It’s a lot fresher.”

Starting last year, a local food grant and some state money has let GCS bring in local poultry, beef and produce.

GCS has also been cooking meals “from scratch” more often, she said. The district plans to increase its number of home-cooked meals in the future.

In GCS, “local” means the food has been sourced from within about a 200-mile radius.

Partin estimates that under 10 percent of school lunch food comes from local sources. The district plans to keep local food options in the future. 

‘Our goal is just to continue to use local foods and move in that direction,” Partin said.

But even at this small percentage, local food provides several advantages.

According to the American Board of Physician Specialties, it’s healthier because it is less processed. 

With no need to travel, food doesn’t need as much processing. Scientists have found that highly processed food is linked to diabetes, heart problems, cancer and other harmful conditions.

GCS Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley said local food helps make the school system more resilient in times of crisis. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, supply issues strained the year-long contracts that school districts sign with food companies, Ridley said. Sometimes, prices changed so much that food companies risked losing money on contracts. 

In response to this pressure, “several companies have gotten out of the school business,” he said.

In contrast, local food can be delivered quickly and easily. It doesn’t require a complicated supply chain to get from farm to table.

“We’re more diversified now. We get things from multiple different sources,” he said. “We continually want to improve the quality and the flavor of our meals.”