The Eureka School Lunch program is looking to use local beef for our lunch program. We approximate that we will need 2-3 head of beef for the lunch program for the entire year. Currently, the school uses beef from USDA commodities food distributors. Some of the commodity beef is shipped into the US is from other countries.

The Beef to School program is designed to introduce school aged children to local producers by offering locally raised beef at lunch. The school also provides educational opportunities on the importance of agriculture, nutrition, and "knowing where their food comes from." The goal is to increase participation in school meal programs, to reduce food budgets, and to create markets for local farmers and ranchers.

The Eureka School District is asking for rancher to donate locally raised beef for this program. By participating, local producers will provide higher quality meat to our students and help to reduce district food costs.

Types of beef that can be donated:

• Market Steers (1000 to 1500 lbs.)

• Open Heifers (under two years of age)

• Cull Cows and Cull Bulls - processed into pure ground beef

Beef to School Information

• Producers may donate beef to the school district or make a monetary donation to defray the cost of processing

• There will be no cost to the producer for their donation

• The donation is tax deductible

• The producer will arrange with the district on drop off for processing

• All donations will be recognized by the district.

According to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and the Farm to School USDA Office of Community Food Systems guidelines, the meat processing facility must be approved to process locally raised beef for the Eureka School Lunch Program. Cattle producers are asked to notify the school of their donation intention. The district will then schedule their cattle for meat processing.