On March 1^st, I had the pleasure of attending a luncheon for the folks who prepare food for the students who attend Marietta City schools. Actually, Mayfield Dairy Farms hosted the affair as a "reward and thank you" to these people who provide nutritious meals for students. Under the direction of Sandy Laffan, Nutrition Director, they entered a national contest.

The contest was sponsored by Dairy Field Magazine and the dairy farmers who fund the American Dairy Council. Since milk is such an important part of the nutritious meals prepared and served to the students, the contest was centered around increasing participation in the meal program.

Marietta City schools, particularly Marietta Middle School, did so well they were one of the national winners of the contest. They created some great signage which featured the change from the traditional paper package to our new plastic half-pint school package. Their milk consumption changes were incredible, with 43,840 additional units of milk being served to a student body of 1,091, and that was only in the first three months of school.

They were able to accomplish this by promoting their food service opportunities, especially breakfast.  I think breakfast experienced the biggest increase.  Their participation in lunch was up 6%.  That is really great considering their participation in lunch was already good.

There is more information on the school web site – www.marietta-city.k12.ga.us and the person who helped to create their signage has a web site – cath@brazealconsulting.net.  Her signage is great.

We wanted to have a luncheon for the folks who prepare all the food for our children because we know the pride they take in providing nutritious meals for “their” students.  This is true at Marietta City and every other school system I have ever visited.  My hat is off to the folks at Marietta City and to all the folks in every school food service system.  Thanks to them for doing a great job feeding our youth!