Crunch Time: Local farms help Smyth schools celebrate Farm to School program
On Friday, members of Smyth County's School Board and central office staff ate lunch at Marion Senior High School for a special Farm-to-School meal. School Board members regularly eat meals at alternating schools.
Last Friday, students and staff were treated to hamburgers made with local beef as two farms helped Smyth County celebrate Farm to School Week.
The event was part of the statewide celebration of local agriculture that also featured the 10th annual Crunch Heard ‘Round the Commonwealth.
On Thursday, Smyth schools joined the Crunch during which everyone got a Virginia-grown apple to eat. That event was expected to include 320,000 participants around the Commonwealth.
Then, on Friday, the hamburger beef was provided by Stickleys and Old Rich Valley Farm, operated by the Campbell family, said Dr. Brad Haga, superintendent of schools.
A few weeks earlier, Haga, said Billy Stickley, of Sugar Grove, had also provided the schools with sweet corn.
“These are great events that highlight our agriculture community and local farm families,” said Haga. “Our kids and staff are most grateful for these relationships.”
Friday, members of the school system’s central office staff and school board ate lunch at Marion Senior High School. School board members regularly eat lunch at alternating schools.
According to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), the Commonwealth is marking historic levels of investment in local food purchases made by child nutrition programs.
According to VDOE data, school and community nutrition program operators procured local food exceeding $24.2 million during the 2025-26 school year, surpassing the Virginia Farm to School Strategic Plan goal of $24 million by 2026-27.
“Supporting local agriculture through our schools creates a win-win for Virginians,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier. “It provides reliable markets for our farmers, ensures students have access to fresh, nutritious meals, and drives growth in our regional agricultural economies. When we feed our students Virginia-grown food, we strengthen our entire Commonwealth.”
"A healthy meal at school is truly foundation to each student’s success, and our Farm to School programs show what is possible when we connect that priority with the incredible resources we have right here in the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Jeffery Smith. “Surpassing our local food purchasing goal a year early means that more Virginia students are benefiting from fresh, locally grown food while learning about the farms and communities that help feed them.”
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jenna Conway added, “These programs improve student health and engagement while teaching vital agriculture and environmental literacy. When students are well-nourished, they are ready to learn.”
VDACS Commissioner Charles Green reflected that as Virginia farms actively look for new markets, child nutrition programs may represent a growing opportunity. “We’re excited to support this momentum and continue building connections between schools and farms,” he said.
