‘Berry’ good N.C. Farm to School year

The numbers don’t lie.

It was a record-setting year for strawberry sales through the N.C. Farm to School program. Child nutrition directors from across the state ordered 20,068 flats of strawberries for the 2014-2015 school year. The flats equaled 12 tractor-trailer loads of berries, with sales totaling $290,986.

“The Farm to School program is a winner on every level,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Our students get the freshest produce available and the money from the sales of these commodities stays in the state, supporting local farmers. I am so grateful that child nutrition directors choose to shop locally."

This year’s strawberry orders edged past the previous record of 19,473 flats sold during the 2012-2013 school year.