MO Beef for MO Kids comes to Ash Grove; ‘win-win’ for district, kids

Ash Grove students will soon taste the flavor of locally grown beef thanks to the MO Beef for MO Kids program. Announced at the Nov. 26 Ash Grove Board of Education meeting, the MO Beef for MO Kids program is on its way to the R-4 district.
In cooperation with the Missouri Beef Industry Council, local cattle raisers will donate beef to the school district to be used in the daily meals at the school cafeterias. An average of four cows would be needed per semester.
“It doesn’t change the school menu, it just gives it better quality,” said Ash Grove Superintendent Aaron Gerla during the meeting.
The MO Beef for MO Kids program is already in action at other districts in the area, including Mt. Vernon, where Superintendent Scott Cook raves about the new beef initiative.
The cattle are donated by local cattlemen, however, the cost of processing is covered by the school district.
“Basically the Missouri Beef Industry Council is trying to get more beef in school lunches. They would like to have better school lunches,” Gerla said.
“In the big scheme of things not only do we save money in the process with the beef being donated, but in the overall picture we’re probably going to get about twice as much beef in our lunches as what we have now. Overall it’s a win-win for everybody.”