Celebrating a Champion for School Meals

At the Alabama School Nutrition Association’s annual meeting, Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate received the organization’s Friend of the Year Award, recognizing his support for school nutrition programs and the people who make them possible.

“I am truly honored to receive the Friend of the Year Award. The work that school nutrition directors and staff put in every single day to serve Alabama’s students does not go unnoticed,” said Commissioner Pate. He also highlighted the strong partnership between schools and agriculture through Alabama’s Farm to School Incentive Program, which helps bring more locally grown food to cafeteria trays across the state.

Since its launch, the program has strengthened connections between local farmers and school nutrition teams while expanding markets for Alabama producers. From 2020 to 2024, the Alabama Legislature funded the initiative, allowing schools to receive an incentive of 20 cents per meal per student for purchasing Alabama fruits, vegetables and proteins. Last school year alone, more than 2.1 million meals featuring local products were served in 49 school systems.

The recognition reflects a shared effort to support farmers, strengthen schools and ensure Alabama students have access to fresh, local food.