School Districts To Serve NY-Sourced Lunches

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Five school districts in the Southern Tier have launched a new program to bring more locally sourced foods to students who get school lunches.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the initiative Thursday. The Democrat says the "New York Thursdays" lunch program is intended to increase the use of local foods in schools as well as connect the state's farmers to new markets.

On the second Thursday of every month, participating schools serve fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meats sourced from New York farms and processors.

At Tioga Central School District, the first New York Thursday lunch included chicken spiedies processed at Lupo's in Broome County, a Friehofer's roll, apples from Lone Maple Farms, milk from Byrne Dairy, corn from Our Green Acres Farm, and potatoes grown on the school campus.