Mississippi Media Coverage

Emerson Family School Pioneers Fresh Food Program by Colleen McCarthy. Starkville Daily News. Published 09/14/2011.
A profile of a successful Farm to Preschool program in Starkville, Mississippi. Read the entire article.

Spell is the enforcer of food laws by Michael A. Bell. Sun Herald. Published 10/12/2007.
BILOXI --State Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Lester Spell said protecting residents from tainted catfish imported from China, along with initiating a program to help obese students eat farm-fresh vegetables, are reasons voters should re-elect him Nov. 6. Spell identified the state as being the worst in the nation for obesity. His Farm to School program is not only helping school children eat healthier, but also benefitting local growers who sell produce directly to school systems. Read the entire article.

New Program Brings Fresh Fruit to School by Melissa M. Scallan. The Sun Herald. Published 10/08/2003.
Students at Pass Road Elementary enjoyed fresh cantaloupe, grapes, apples and pears at lunch Thursday, which wasn't possible until this year. The state departments of agriculture and commerce and education have teamed up to provide all school districts in the state with fresh fruits and vegetables grown by Mississippi farmers. "It's absolutely phenomenal," said Debbie Chatagnier, child nutrition administrator for the Gulfport... Read the entire article.

Cafeterias feature fresh produce by Robert Malone. The Clarion-Ledger. Published 04/13/2003.
Mississippi farmers can look forward to a wealthier future " and the state's children, a healthier future " through a new program that puts fresh produce in public school cafeterias. The Farm to School program is allowing schools to put a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables in their lunchrooms, said Guy Feltenstein, director of fruits and vegetables for the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce in Jackson. The program, he said, is the result of the combined efforts of the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, the state Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Defense's nutrition program. The state's purchase from local farmers will provide more nutritious meals for children and develop a new market for farmers. That will boost Mississippi's economy, said Patrick Sullivan, policy and communications coordinator in the Department of Agriculture and Commerce. Read the entire article.