USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Audrey Rowe will celebrate National School Lunch Week during a visit to Middle Georgia this week. Ms. Rowe will visit Alexander II Magnet School from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, October 15. During her visit, Ms. Rowe will tour the school’s garden, enjoy lunch with students, and participate in a roundtable discussion with local, state and federal partners about the successes and challenges of nutrition programs. Upon her departure, she will travel to Houston County to visit Westside Elementary School. Alexander II Magnet School is located at 1156 College Street in Macon. The media are invited to attend.

"Participation in school meal programs is increasing in many areas of the country thanks in part to efforts like Farm to School and Community Eligibility,” Ms. Rowe said. “We’re seeing a positive response to healthier offerings and increased access to nutritious food by school districts like Bibb and Houston counties and are excited about the progress they’re making in school meal participation.”

The Bibb County School District’s schools have been part of the Community Eligibility Program since the 2014-2015 school year. This means all students attending Bibb schools are eligible to eat breakfast and lunch at no cost to the student.

Additionally, the Bibb County School Nutrition Program was recognized last week with the Golden Radish Award, a prestigious state-wide farm to school distinction that acknowledges the outstanding leadership of school representatives building comprehensive farm to school programs. The school district was recognized for its efforts to educate students on nutrition and agriculture by State School Superintendent Richard Woods, Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, and Georgia Organics Board Chair Mandy Mahoney.