News and Events

School Nutrition Department Hosts District I Meeting

Dare County Schools School Nutrition Department is thrilled to share the highlights of the District I meeting held on Saturday, April 20th, at Manteo Middle School in Manteo, NC. With over 160 enthusiastic attendees and guests. There was a tremendous show of support from School Nutrition Association (SNA) members, with members from Elizabeth City-Pasquotank, Perquimans, Bertie, Washington, Hertford, Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort, Pitt, and Dare counties, gathering together to make this event truly special.

A warm welcome was extended by Mr. Steve Basnight, Superintendent of Dare County Schools. Manteo Middle School's band students played the National Anthem, setting a heartfelt tone for the day. Donna Hala delivered a thoughtful "Thought of the Day," and Dr. Harvey's powerful message on the “Four Agreements” left us inspired and motivated.

Walter Beal from NCDA & CS Food Distribution shared valuable updates from the NCDA, while Cami Lewis from The Daily Alliance invigorated us with her "Wellness by the Glass" presentation and delicious Moo Brew Coffee. Janet Johnson, SNA-NC President, brought an abundance of fun, laughter, and energy to the event. Attendees also enjoyed creating personalized "Tell Your Story" recipe scrapbooks.

A special thank you to Jeff Dodge from Proview Foods and Richard Jenkins from Acxion for  preparing an amazing lunch. Our breakfast, food, beverage, and snack offerings were generously provided by International Foods, Frito-Lay, National Food Group, Atlantic Dominion, SuperBakery, Lindy’s and Kellenova. Additionally, our vendors, industry representatives, and Dare School Nutrition staff contributed over 100 door prizes and gift cards, with goodie bags fromCami Lewis, Dairy Alliance, and Monin adding an extra touch of excitement. The lovely balloon decorations were created by Marquita Govan. The awesome table decorations were made by Dare School Nutrition staff.

A day filled with fun and excitement, making it an unforgettable experience for everyone. A BIG thank you to the vendors, distributors, local businesses, SNA members, guest speakers, and everyone who supported the District I meeting—it was a success because of your contributions and enthusiasm! I am especially grateful to the Dare SNA members and staff, whose dedication and hard work helped in making the event a success.Mark your calendars for the next District I meeting on November 23, 2024. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dare County School Nutrition Visits Tidewater Grain Company: A Flavorful Journey into Local Agriculture

Dare County School Nutrition team recently took an exciting field trip to Tidewater Grain Company in Oriental, NC. Tidewater Grain Company is committed to sustainable farming and high-quality grain production. Their educational insights, offered a unique opportunity to explore the local agriculture that supports our food systems.

We were welcomed by the Tidewater team and spent the day touring the plant and walking through the rice fields. While exploring the rice fields, we observed firsthand the growth of Carolina Gold Heirloom Rice and learned about the innovative farming techniques employed to ensure top-notch quality and sustainability.

We also experienced a detailed look at the milling process, where the rice was transformed into the products used in our daily meals. Our school nutrition team was fascinated by the intricate machinery and the meticulous care that goes into each step of grain processing. This behind-the-scenes glimpse into the journey from field to table was both eye-opening and inspiring.

North Carolina schools can now incorporate Carolina Gold Rice into their menus thanks to the NC Farm-to-School program. Dare County Schools, in particular, is excited to feature this local rice, as it provides an opportunity to enhance offerings with a nutritious product that supports local agriculture.We were each given goodies to take home. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Tidewater Grain Company for their generosity and hospitality.