Sandra Renner, Farm and Community director, sandrar@cfra.org, 402.320.3444; or Rhea Landholm, brand marketing and communications manager, rheal@cfra.org, 402.687.2100 ext 1025
Hebron, Nebraska - Thayer Central Community Schools has joined Nebraska Department of Education Nutrition Services and Center for Rural Affairs as a 2017 pilot school to roll out Nebraska Thursdays. This statewide campaign celebrates farm to school by serving a Nebraska-sourced meal in the cafeteria on the first Thursday of each month.
The school will kick off its Nebraska Thursdays season on Oct. 5, 2017, during National Farm to School month. On the menu are cheeseburgers made from local beef from the Titan Beef Boosters program, a local beef donation program that supports the school. Other local foods on the menu are Hiland Dairy’s milk, tomatoes and watermelon from Hintz Produce, and dinner rolls from Bimbo Bakery.
“Participating in Nebraska Thursdays provides students and school staff with an opportunity to celebrate our local farmers and seasonal Nebraska foods,” said Jenn Waldmeier, food service manager at Thayer Central Community Schools.
Nebraska Thursdays expands farm to school activities in Nebraska’s schools to better connect school cafeterias and students with local foods, gardens, farmers, ranchers, agriculture, and nutrition. The school district is one of five Nebraska school districts selected to participate in the pilot program.
“Our school wanted to bring local foods to our school lunches,” said Waldmeier. “This program helps us highlight Nebraska foods on our lunch menu and support our community by purchasing local food from Nebraska farms and food businesses.”
Other pilot schools are Litchfield Public Schools, Omaha Public Schools, Overton Public Schools, and Wayne Community Schools.
Nebraska Thursdays is sponsored by Nebraska Department of Education with partner organization Center for Rural Affairs, and supported by Omaha Public Schools Nutrition Services. Additional support is provided by Nebraska Dry Bean Commission, Midwest Dairy Council, and Nebraska Beef Council.
For more information about Nebraska Thursdays at Thayer Central, contact the school at 402.768.6117, or visit cfra.org/f2s.
