Beef... It is what's for lunch at
Bridgeport Public Schools.
Bridgeport, Nebraska is a proud agriculturally
based community. Recently, Bridgeport Public
Schools approved a program that would demonstrate this pride by serving locally
raised, USDA approved beef. The concept is for beef to be donated by
local producers, processed by one of our local meat processors, KDK Meats, and served
in school lunches. As of today
Bridgeport School has received 4 head of cattle for this program.
This is a statement released by the Bridgeport School:
“At Bridgeport Schools we are very proud of being in an
agricultural based community and realize that without all of the agricultural
property in our district, our school could not operate. One idea that has come
up that would show this pride; is if we were able to serve beef that was raised
locally and USDA approved.
One way we believe we can do this, is by having locally
raised beef donated to be processed at KDK Meats. Many will say that area
cattle producers already give enough to the school district through property
tax. Which is very true, but we have had several area producers say they
would be interested in donating a cow/fat steer if that meant locally raised
beef would be served at Bridgeport Public Schools.”
“The program would work this way. If a cow/fat steer
was donated to be processed, the donor would have their name put in our monthly
newsletter as the “Beef Provider of the Month” and this would also be on a sign
in the cafeteria. Starting this fall our monthly newsletter will be bulk
mailed and every mailbox in our district will receive one.”
“We realize timing can be very important in donating an
animal so we would be very open to working with the producer’s production
schedule. We believe we will need about 12 cows/fat steers a year to make
this work. The school will pay for the processing and will look for a
grant that might help cover that fee. However, if you are thinking “I
don’t raise cattle, but I would love to donate for the processing of an animal”
then just let us know and we can make that happen. Also some have mentioned
buying one at the fair and donating it.”
“If you have interest in being part of this program please
contact Jeff Pohl (279-0409) or Superintendent Chuck Lambert (262 1470) for
more details or questions.”
I couldn't be more proud of the
school’s decision to serve locally grown and processed beef as part of their
lunch program. I am also a relieved
mother, knowing that I can send my kids to school and they are going to have a
healthy, nutritious meal.