Lunchtime at Ocoee High School has gotten some upgrades.
Orange County School Board leaders and 4 Rivers President John Rivers on Tuesday, Nov. 6, unveiled a new greenhouse and redesigned cafeteria at Ocoee High School. The greenhouse will be used as part of a new “farm-to-school” menu program that has been introduced to the school’s lunchtime offerings.
“It’s absolutely vital and important that we reinvest back into agriculture,” Rivers said. “And if we’re going to change the agriculture scene in the state of Florida, it starts here with education and getting people not only educated about different ways of growing but (also) excited about it.”
In addition to growing produce at the new greenhouse, the school also is serving Fresh from Florida produce during lunch and receives fresh produce from local farmers, such as Long and Scott Farms in nearby Zellwood. Lora Gilbert, senior director of the food and nutrition program at Orange County Public Schools, said by sourcing the produce locally, students are given an opportunity to add fresh fruits and vegetables into their diets through school lunches.
Read more at the West Orange Times & Observer (Eric Gutierrez)