The Mayfield Independent School District Nutrition and Food Services Program has placed third in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Farm to School Stars Recognition Program, earning a $6,000 award to put toward local food purchases in the 2026-2027 school year.
Funded through Ag Tag dollars, the Farm to School Stars program recognizes three Kentucky school districts each year for their commitment to buying directly from Kentucky farmers. Districts are ranked by the total dollars spent on Kentucky-grown and Kentucky-raised products divided by the number of meals served, with only breakfast and lunch meals counted. Winners are announced each October in recognition of Farm to School Month.
During the 2025-2026 school year, Mayfield Independent spent nearly $21,000 on Kentucky products across 414,635 meals served, purchasing from two local farmers. Buying locally is not new for the district. The Mayfield Independent’s Food and Nutrition Services has been purchasing from local producers for more than 10 years. Mayfield Independent is also affiliated with the Kentucky Proud program and the KY Farm 2 School Network.
Along with purchase documentation, School Nutrition Director Leah Feagin submitted examples of school menus, recipes using local produce, and photos of the meals served to students.
Purchasing from Kentucky farmers increases on-farm income while bringing fresh, locally grown food to students’ trays. Under program guidelines, Mayfield Independent’s $6,000 award must be spent on local food purchases during the following school year, extending that investment in both students and area agriculture.