FARM TO TRAY: Incentive program brings Tallapoosa strawberries to Tallapoosa lunchrooms
Buy Now

Submitted / The Outlook

Tallapoosa County Schools' child nutrition program ordered 120 gallons of strawberries from Lone Oak Farm for partial reimbursement through Alabama's Farm to School program. Photo courtesy of Lone Oak Farm.

Tallapoosa County students enjoyed a collective 120 gallons of Alabama strawberries with their school meals this month, hand-delivered by the very Notasulga farmer that grew them.

What's more, the rare treat cost Tallapoosa County Schools pennies on the dollar thanks to a state reimbursement program incentivizing school systems to buy locally. Of the $480 the school system paid Lone Oak Farm for the first 40 gallons of strawberries delivered to Reeltown, $360 was reimbursed by Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, child nutrition program director Jenny Knox said. Tallapoosa County Schools followed up with two more 40-gallon orders for the students of Dadeville and Horseshoe Bend.