Our Vision

A reliable supply chain by maximizing the regional food system

More local food served and consumed in school cafeterias contributes to increased nutritional value and an elevated perception of school meals

Students connected with where their food comes from and engaged in their local food system

Alignment of local food initiatives, school gardens and food education programs

Our Board Members

Jenna Kaczmarski

President and Co-Founder

Jenna Kaczmarski is the Project Director for The Locally Grown Project and an advisory committee member of the Homegrown Hillsborough  food system coalition. Jenna works as a consultant in the areas of local regenerative food systems, food security, child nutrition, strategic planning, meeting facilitation and project implementation.

Jenna is the former School Nutrition Director for Polk County Public Schools and also held the roles of Senior Coordinator and Nutrition Analyst during her 16 year career .

Jenna is passionate about raising the bar for nutrition integrity of school meals and building an all around healthy school environment.  A desire to live in a community with a vibrant local food system and her love for feeding kids inspired Locally Grown.

Education

MSPH Maternal and Child Health, University of South Florida

BS Nutrition and Dietetics, Southern Illinois University

BS Exercise Physiology, Southern Illinois University

Credentials

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

School Nutrition Specialist (SNS)

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

Arianne Corbett

Vice-President and Co-Founder

Arianne Corbett is Nutritionist for Hillsborough County Public Schools and President of Leading Health, LLC with more than fifteen years of experience in food and nutrition programs and policy. 

Arianne’s work is focused on efforts to improve children’s access to healthy, high-quality food in schools and community settings. She is particularly interested in supporting local food systems in Hillsborough County as cofounder of Locally Grown and an advisory committee member of the Homegrown Hillsborough food system coalition.

Prior to forming her consulting company, she managed public health and nutrition advocacy efforts for the Center for Science in the Public Interest and School Nutrition Association.

Education

BS Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Florida

Credentials

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

 

Beverly Girard

Vice-President 

Beverly Girard is the owner of Leading Edge Training and Consulting, a consulting business emphasizing school nutrition. Beverly was the Director of Food and Nutrition Service in Sarasota County from 1991-2019, and prior to Sarasota, was an Area Supervisor in Palm Beach County Schools, Florida. Before she found her passion in school nutrition, Beverly worked in clinical dietetics.

Beverly is recognized as a leader and mentor in school nutrition. While in Sarasota County Schools, Beverly developed and directed the only school district based dietetic internship currently available in the nation and secured two $100,000 USDA Farm to School Implementation grants. Beverly has served as an instructor for Framingham State University, the University of Southern Mississippi, State College of Florida, and the Institute of Child Nutrition.

Education

Ph.D. Interdisciplinary program in Curriculum and Instruction: Concentration in Public Health, University of South Florida

Graduate Certificate in Social Marketing, College of Public Health, University of South Florida

Master of Business Administration, Nova University

Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition, Florida International University

Bachelors in Dietetics and Nutrition in Business, Purdue Univeristy

 

Credentials

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

School Nutrition Specialist (SNS)

 

Farm to School Facts

In response to the USDA Farm to School Census, 77% of School Districts operating the National School Lunch Program in Florida reported serving local food in schools.

Only 64% have Farm to School Programs to maximize the impact of serving local foods.

When districts implement Farm to School Programs, Kids Win, Farmers Win and Communities Win!

According to Farm to School Network F2S Programs lead to:

  • Increased fruit and vegetable consumption
  • Increased income for local farmers
  • Increased jobs and food security for communities

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