VDACS Honors Piney Branch PTO at Farmers Market

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Piney Branch Elementary School's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and Prince William Schools were honored with an award from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) for the partnership between Piney Branch and Smart Markets.

Leeanne DuBois of VDACS presented the award to the Piney Branch PTO and PWCS during a Farm to School Week celebratory farmers market on Sunday on behalf of Virginia’s Commissioner of Agriculture Matt Lohr.

In the Commissioner’s letter to Prince William Schools, he extended his, “heartfelt thanks and admiration,” and called the partnership between Piney Branch and Smart Markets “the core of the Farm to School program.”

DuBois said schools all over Virginia are participating in Farm to School Week initiatives meant to bring awareness to Virginia farmers and healthy eating. Many schools serve Virginia fresh apples or have teachers escort the children on field trips to local farms. However, Piney Branch’s arrangement with Smart Markets is unique in the Commonwealth. Besides being the only public school in Virginia to host a weekly market, the elementary school also benefits from the educational opportunities and sponsorship money the market provides.

Prince William School Board Chairman-At-Large Milt Johns thanked the Virginia farmers for lending assistance to the children of Piney Branch, saying the sponsorship helped Piney Branch build its collection of library books.

Johns said the school board intends to continue to create opportunities for Prince William County students to enjoy farm fresh foods, and Prince William Schools have already begun organic foods and fresh picked hydroponic lettuce.

“We’ve already started a pretty ambitious program with our food service department to bring healthy farm-grown food in year-round. We’ve really increased our efforts in recent years,” said Johns.

School Board Member of the Brentsville District, Gil Trenum thanked the PTO, telling the crowd at the market: “this is one of those stories that I like to tell about parent involvement with our schools. It would not have happened without the PTO getting involved.”

Trenum thanked the PTO parents for their “incentive, drive and hard work,” saying the partnership taught students about how food was grown and brought to market.

Wally Covington, Board of County Supervisor of the Brentsville District praised the school’s relationship with Smart Markets for assisting local farmers and vendors.

PTO President Cathy Rivera said that Smart Market makes a monthly donation to the school. In addition Smart Markets arranges for guest speakers and will help the school create a learning garden, or “green garden”, on the school property.

After the presentation, local and state officials walked around the market, shopping, eating lunch and enjoying a musical performance from West on 66, starring guest pop-country singer, 13-year-old Eleni from Brownstown, Virginia.

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