Wamego Unified School District 320 earned gold in the Turnip the Beet Award, hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

The Turnip the Beet Award recognizes outstanding summer meal program sponsors across the nation who work hard to offer high quality meals to children that are appetizing, appealing and nutritious during the summer months.

Laura Fails, Wamego USD 320 Food Service Director submitted the nomination on behalf of the district. Her nomination described how the district used the theme “Building Healthy Eaters” with KSDE’s Farm Fresh Friday resources to highlight a different fruit, vegetable or grain each week.

In conjunction with Farm Fresh Friday, Fails’ meal site offered a mini-farmer’s market every Friday. Participants received a token each day they ate a summer meal and could spend their tokens at the farmer’s market.

Fails worked with two local farms, such as Britt’s Garden Acres, to procure the produce and served it as part of the menu each week.

USDA FNS recognized 140 summer meal sponsors with Turnip the Beet awards for excellence in program year 2023. Fifty-five sponsors qualified for a gold award, 67 qualified for a silver award and 18 qualified for a bronze award.

Congratulations Wamego USD 320 Food Service!