The Massachusetts Farm to School Project has awarded JP resident Kim Szeto, farm to school coordinator for the Boston Public Schools, with its 2011 Blue Ribbon Award.  The Award is an annual prize given by the Mass. Farm to School Project to an individual who demonstrates exemplary leadership and support for the farm to school movement in Massachusetts.

Kelly Erwin, Director of the Massachusetts Farm to School Project, said, “We chose Kim Szeto to receive this year’s Blue Ribbon Award because she’s done a wonderful job working with BPS to bring healthy local foods into the cafeterias. Thanks to Kim’s coordination, 44 Boston Public Schools’ cafeterias now offer, ‘Local Lunch Thursdays.’"  She added, “The Boston Public School District is the only one in the state that employs a full-time Farm-to-School Coordinator,” stated Erwin.  “Farm-to-school purchasing relationships benefit everyone, from the children to the farmers to the economy, but overcoming the logistical challenges requires leadership, creativity, and a can-do attitude.”