School spotlight
Food service director: Tamara Yarmon
Regional location: Eastern Nebraska
Number of students: 52,000
Number of feeding sites: 93
Meal participation rate: 77%
Number of food service staff: 500
“Local” defined as: Produced within a 240 mile radius from its district office
How we got started
“We have a strong belief in providing foods which are produced by local farmers. The food is fresh, colorful, and supports the local economy.” -Tamara Yarmon
Successes and goals for next year
“A success this year was increasing local meat purchases. My goal for next year is to continue to bring more local products to the menus.” -Tamara Yarmon
Community partnerships
“The most important community partners are the farm and food businesses we purchase from most often. They are helping us to make it all happen.” -Tamara Yarmon
Additional time needed?
“Additional prep time depends on the time of the year. We have been doing this for awhile – it becomes automatic and doesn’t require as much time.” -Tamara Yarmon
Where we purchase
- Smart Chicken (Tecumseh, Nebraska),
- Rotella’s Bakery (La Vista, Nebraska),
- Farm Fresh (O’Neill, Nebraska),
- Pekarak’s Produce (Dwight, Nebraska),
- A&T Farms (Yutan, Nebraska),
- Daniel’s Produce (Columbus, Nebraska),
- Heldt Farms (Ashland, Nebraska),
- International Spices (Fremont, Nebraska),
- Small’s Fruit Farms (Mondamin, Iowa),
- Union Orchard (Union, Nebraska), and
- Various school food distributors.
Favorite local food to use on the menus
“I don’t have a ‘favorite’ – I love them ALL!” -Tamara Yarmon
Did you do anything unique to promote Nebraska Thursdays?
“Everyone wore red Nebraska shirts on Nebraska Thursday lunch day.” -Tamara Yarmon
Favorite local meal
“The favorite is chicken drummies in ranch, spicy, and barbeque.” -Tamara Yarmon
