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ATLANTA — Georgia Organics cohosted the 2019 Golden Radish Awards on Sept. 17 at the Mercedes Benz Stadium. Ninety Georgia school systems received recognition for their involvement in farm to school programming. Among those recognized is Sumter County Schools.

The Golden Radish Awards recognizes school districts incorporating farm to school principals into their school curriculums. The ceremony is hosted by Georgia Organics, UGA Cooperative Extension, and the Georgia Departments of Education, Agriculture, Public Health, and the Department of Early Care and Learning.

Districts were recognized at five levels — Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Honorary recognition. Awards are determined by a selection committee and levels are awarded based upon a point system, with schools with high involvement in farm to school receiving the highest levels of recognition. Honorary Radishes are awarded to programs that are just getting started and satisfy at least 1 criterion within the Bronze level or higher. School districts that satisfy the Gold level for all ten criteria are awarded a Platinum Radish. An additional award, the Outstanding Award, is given to the district with the outstanding farm to school program.

Additionally, each Golden Radish Award partner organization presented a Farm to School Innovation Best Practice Award.

Sumter County Schools received a Platinum Award.