Knox County R1 School District is “Beefing Up” School Lunches

Submitted by Kisha Goodwin, Opaa Manager

Knox County R1 has joined the Mo Beef Mo Kids program. The Knox County R1 School District is the latest school to “beef up school lunches” through the Mo Beef Mo.

Kids Mo Fit (MoBKF) program of the Missouri Beef Industry Council. The program connects schools and

their food service professionals to Missouri cattle farmers and ranchers to provide more beef, more often on school lunch menus. Knox County R1 has worked with their food service provider Opaa! to implement the program.

MoBKF began in the 2017-2018 school year with one pilot school and has since expanded to over 30 schools across Missouri. In each participating school district, officials work with Missouri cattle producers, who agree to donate livestock to the program. Students enjoy and appreciate an increase in beef meals, through menu items like meatball subs and roast beef sandwiches.

“Beef producers, through the efforts of the Missouri Beef Checkoff, are excited to be working with schools across the state to expand the program,” said MBIC Executive Director Mark Russell. “Educating youth about the importance of our industry, not only to the state but also to the health and well-being of school-aged Missourians, is important to all Missouri producers.”

The school district currently serves 411 meals each day.

“This is a great way to support our local farmers by promoting what they do,” said Knox County R1

Superintendent Andy Turgeon. “Bringing local beef into our school meals also provides a great educational component for students and teachers.”

Participating cattle donors are proud to support the effort.

“Beef is a great source of protein for young, growing children, and I am excited to see beef raised in the

county be consumed by our students in the county,” said Eric Greenly, cattle producer in Knox County.

Greenly and his family donated the first beef to be served on Knox County R1 lunch trays.