Magnificent menus and leafy lessons led to some special guests visiting Weaverville Primary School Friday.
United States Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Stacy Dean, joined by her field officers, came to see the edible learning opportunities. When she arrived, she found kids participating in “Dress Like a Farmer Day”, eating lunches made from local ingredients, and talking with local farmers offering samples of an appetizer made from locally-grown produce.
“I’m blown away by the joy in the cafeteria,” Dean shared, as she participated in school lunch activities. “What we see on the plate is this incredible array of local produce- strawberries and broccoli and melon and more. We are just so impressed. Introducing kids to where food comes from, trying new things, and appreciating all that food can be.”
BCS Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson and Madam Chair Ann Franklin, North Buncombe District Representative for the Buncombe County Board of Education, also participated in the special lunch activities, which included a taste test. Local growers from ASAP, the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project. Farmers regularly visit the school. On this day, students had the opportunity to sample locally-sourced chilled cucumber soup. 
“I can taste so many flavors,” said Aidin, a first grader who seems well on his way to being a food critic. “The cucumbers taste fresh, I know there’s garlic in it, and all the flavors work well together. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever tasted.”
Aidin’s classmate, Brinley, earned a sticker for trying something new.
“I’m glad I tasted it,” she shared. “I’d call it a ‘maybe’, but maybe not something I’d want every day.”
Dr. Lynn Harvey, Director of School Nutrition with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, also joined the lunch party, leading a giant apple mascot around the cafeteria to high-five students.
“Our mission is nourishing bodies, minds and souls,” said Dr. Harvey. “Buncombe County Schools has a wonderful reputation for delivering on that everyday. This is a special place, and I’m so glad Dr. Dean and the other USDA officials can see everything happening here.”
The tour continued in the school garden, where Principal Stephanie Stroupe and teacher Heather Gast asked students to show off their lettuce harvest.
“I’m so grateful for our community partnership with ASAP and the work of our teachers and school nutrition staff for hands-on activities. This is how a love for learning starts,” said Ms. Stroupe. “We even have a student who wore his ‘mud is my bud’ shirt, excited that he’d be working in the garden today. It’s really inspiring.”
The USDA team gathered information during their visit to help share what’s happening at Weaverville Primary with schools across the country.
“It’s so exciting to showcase the work of our school and community,” said Buncombe County Schools Nutrition Director Lisa Payne. “We love seeing our children enjoying locally-grown foods and hearing their laughter. We’re responsible for the most important school supply - food. I’m so proud to showcase what we do here in Buncombe County, and the special relationship our nutrition staff has with the students here at Weaverville Primary School.”
