Pius X is expanding its Farm to School Program, adding Nebraska-grown beef to its ingredients. Currently, the program features local farm fresh vegetables, melons, pumpkins and squash, eggs and bison for its students, of which about 600-800 eat the main entrée offered in the school’s breakfast and lunch menu.  

This new initiative will provide beef to students through a unique donation program with Connect Beef. For every 10-pound box of premium cuts of beef purchased monthly by parents and other Pius X supporters, Connect Beef will donate 10 pounds of ground beef to Pius X cafeteria. Depending on the menu, Pius X can use up to 120 pounds of beef per week.   

Learn more about ordering and our Farm 2 School options at https://PiusX.net/farm2school.  

Carmen Goeden, Pius X Nutrition Services director, said this beef supply helps her better educate students on the value of locally grown foods.  

“Our goal is to provide quality food choices to the students and staff at Pius X,” Goeden said. 

“It only makes sense to use locally sourced products.  In doing this the students receive fresh and less processed meals.  This is also a win for our community because we have the opportunity to support our local farmers. I want the students to know where the food they eat comes from and to learn that the food choices they make also impacts the community they live in.”  

Any farmer – from backyard garden plots with leftovers to larger farms and processors – can work with the school on food donations or sales for its meal program.  

Various state and federal rules apply, so it is best to contact Goeden at 402-488-0931 or carmen.goeden@piusx.net for more information.