Lynn Burch remembered for effort
The Fannin County School System’s Nutrition Department was awarded the Garden of the Season Award from the Georgia Department of Education Thursday, April 17.
“The Garden of the Season Award is a culmination of many years’ efforts in Fannin County Schools’ Farm-to-School initiative,” Martha Williams, director of nutrition and wellness, said.
For years, Williams has partnered with Georgia Organics for their Farm to School Mini Grant. Those funds were invested at the high school’s Legacy Garden, she said.
Former teacher Lynn Burch was credited for spearheading the program.
Williams also credits teachers Kristen Stone, Amy Adams, Seth Davis, Ryan Chastain and Terry Flowers for their help “in the preparation and refreshing of the garden including.”
The garden has produced vegetable and herbs including tomatoes that were used by cafeteria staff to prepare marinara sauce for students’ lunches.
“In cooperation with Fannin High’s cafeteria manager Heather Cobb and her staff, Janice Brown, Ginger Hewatt, Dana Martin, Kim Payne, Donna Rivera and GiGi Thomas, students harvested the tomatoes, and then, helped cafeteria staff to prepare homemade marinara sauce,” Williams said.
The award is given based on the following criteria: locally grown items are served in school meals, farm-to-school promotions or marketing are done throughout the school environment, schools have edible gardens and farm-to-school language is adopted into policy or procedure.
Williams added, “Teaching our students where their food comes from, allowing students to participate in gardening while at school, and preparing nutritious meals helps Fannin’s students succeed for life.”