The Kentucky Department of Agriculture announced on April 7 that school districts in the state can now apply for the second annual Farm to School Stars Recognition Program, which awards schools for purchasing food directly from Kentucky farmers.
The program, in its second year, will provide monetary awards to the top three school districts that show a commitment to increasing their purchases of locally grown produce and proteins. According to Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell, “Kentucky farmers grow some of the best food in the nation, and our schools play a vital role in getting that food onto the plates of our students. When schools buy local, our students, our farmers, and our communities all benefit.”
The initiative aims to strengthen farm income and improve meal quality by encouraging districts to source more local products. The program also supports Senate Bill 5 (SB5), which gives participating school districts greater flexibility in buying Kentucky-grown agricultural products while maintaining compliance with federal requirements. In some cases, this allows local farmers to compete with larger suppliers by enabling school food purchases based on reasonable pricing from prior experience or purchase history.
To qualify for recognition, districts must participate in the USDA National School Lunch Program and will be evaluated based on their use of Kentucky-grown or raised products in breakfast and lunch meals. Awards include $10,000 for first place, $8,000 for second place, and $6,000 for third place. Districts must use these funds to purchase local foods during the following school year; previous winners are not eligible to participate again immediately. Applications are due by July 31.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture operates as a state agency within Kentucky’s executive branch and uses facilities in Frankfort for administrative functions, according to the official website. The department provides resources across all counties in Kentucky and celebrates agricultural education during designated months. It obtains funding through grants for county fairs and projects and aims to enhance the state’s agricultural economy through strategic partnerships.
More information about application materials is available at kyagr.com/consumer/documents/FD_FS_KDA_Star_Recognition_Application.pdf. Additional details can be found at the organization’s press release.
