2020 EDUCATION MAGAZINE

2020 Education Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS FEBRUARY 20, 2020 Page 13 One cook expressed the purpose for which they all work, “[I feel] overwhelmed at times but I feel it’s good for the children in being able to provide good quality food.” Along with adopting new kitchen practices to cook from scratch, the kitchen staff weigh food daily to reduce waste. The savings from reduced waste allows the school to purchase higher quality ingredients from local farmers. LESD spent 20% of their budget on local food in the program’s first three-and-a-half months. In the course of a school year 20% of the budget will result in approximately $90,000 going directly to local farmers. The goal is 30%, which will be achieved next year with more time for farmers to prepare for the new demand, and with the more skilled to cooks with local food the entire year. When LESD reaches their local food goal of 30%, $135,000 will stay in the community annually. Taking these numbers statewide, if other schools would follow suit with this leading program in Lincoln, the state would generate $150 million by spending 20% on local food purchases and $225 million by spending 30% on local food purchases. The program measures criteria for nine goals. With more than two dozen data points the program staff are able to monitor real results in real time and make the needed adjustments. LESD reached 60% scratch-cooked meals in the first semester and will be at 100% by the end of the school year. However, more than scratch cooking simply happening, data informs whether students are eating the food and liking the food; whether attitudes and behaviors about food are changing not only with students but parents as well; whether a correlation exists between healthy eating and absenteeism; and more. “We have third-party evaluation on this program for a total of three years,” says Lincoln Elementary School District Superintendent Kent Froebe. “We are committed to playing our part in supporting Logan County to become the healthiest county in the country. Lincoln 27 and Beyond is a long-game with far-reaching benefits for the whole community.” [ALMH Community Health Collaborative, Lincoln Elementary School District #27, and Beyond Green Sustainable Food Partners]