CULPEPER STAR-EXPONENT, ALLISON BROPHY CHAMPION

Farm to School at the Carver Center kitchen just got a $92,084 infusion.

Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, announced the USDA funding Thursday to the youth healthy eating program of Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission.

The innovative program will use the Carver Food Enterprise Center commercial kitchen along James Madison Highway in Culpeper County for a monthly delivery of a local, healthy entree or side dish to Rappahannock County Public School students, according to a release from Spanberger’s office.

RRRC will use the grant to implement Rappahannock-Rapidan Farm to School Gap Analysis and Pilot Program to tackle barriers to local food access in regional schools.

Farm to School provides opportunities for children to learn about nutrition and agriculture through hands-on experiences, such as planting, watering, and harvesting fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

The program provides a pathway for more children to achieve nutrition security by supporting equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food, according to the release.

“This initiative bridges the gap between local farmers and school cafeterias, facilitating access to fresh, nutritious food for students.”

The only Virginian on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, Spanberger said in a statement she is glad to see the federal funding coming home to Virginia’s Seventh District to help bridge the gap between local farmers and school cafeterias.

The local congresswoman previously announced $200,000 to fix the roof on the CFEC kitchen, housed in 75-year-old George Washington Carver Regional High School that served Black students during segregation from Culpeper, Orange, Madison and Rappahannock.

“I’m pleased that this facility will now be used to prepare healthy meals for students.” said Spanberger. “I applaud RRRC’s work with agricultural and local food system partners, and I look forward to seeing how the Carver Center can bring this program to life.”

Mallory Grady, Farm to School Associate with Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission said they are so excited for the opportunity to collaborate with community partners on such an impactful project.

“By providing students with learning experiences about farming, nutrition, and sustainability and by serving delicious meals with locally sourced ingredients, we can encourage healthy food choices and strengthen our region’s connection to local agriculture,” she said.