Food shortages come to Gilmer Schools nutrition department
News May 17, 2022
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – “I’ve never been asked ‘Do we need a refrigerated truck,'” said Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley, “We might need one.” These comments were in response to a growing issue in food and nutrition for the school system.
US Foods did not renew a food bid even after Gilmer revised the bid requests in April according to School Nutrition Director Patricia Partin who spoke on the issue during the Board of Education’s May work session this week. She said that many issues are facing Georgia schools and Gilmer is not alone in this issue. In fact, she noted over a dozen other counties are also without the bid.
Challenges of distribution centers, transportation, shortage of labor, and other issues are causing the problems that the board is facing. Partin responded to the issue saying, “No matter, guys, we will feed our students.”
Partin asserted that if she had to go out herself to find places for the schools to purchase food, she would. Partin said that she has even met with Senator Raphael Warnock’s office to discuss the issue and have further meetings with the state officials. She also noted that she has been working alongside Fannin and Pickens to share information and find a solution.
Clarifying further, Dr. Ridley said that the base of the issue is that the school system is having trouble finding a distributor to sell to them as most find it easier and more profitable to sell to businesses like restaurants. School systems closer to distribution hubs are having less issue, but for counties at a further distance, the problem becomes more severe.
One of the possible solutions involves larger orders that are ordered less often. Superintendent Ridley stated, “We’re going to be probably storing more food than we ever have.”
Another possible solution would see Gilmer purchasing a refrigerated truck and hiring a driver. As quoted, Dr. Ridley said any possible solution is being investigated at this point. He said, “For us, this is an all-hands=on=deck problem and it’s something we’re having to address.”
Solution discussions are going from simple answers like purchasing a truck to incorporating the Highway 515 counties as a single group order. The issue is not only affecting the bid renewal, but orders are coming in short as well. An issue that the nutrition department has handled and worked around as it hasn’t been a crippling issue until now.
Gilmer celebrates Vision 2020 with state reps
News November 25, 2020
Celebrating what they have already accomplished while also looking ahead, Gilmer High School played host to State Representatives and local administrators with a Thanksgiving Meal in honor of “Vision 2020.”
Georgia Speaker of the House and GHS Alumnus David Ralston, left, shares a moment with Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, right, in celebrating “Vision 2020.”
Georgia’s own Speaker of the House and Gilmer High Alumn David Ralston was present along with Georgia’s Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and State Nutrition Director Dr. Linette Dodson. All shared in the Thanksgiving Meal provided by the High School and served by the GHS Culinary Pathway Students.
Additionally, Representatives from Kelly Loeffler’s Office were present to offer their support as well.
Part of the major celebration was noted as Gilmer Nutrition Director Linda Waters spoke about “Georgia Grown,” an effort to localize sourcing for school meals. Part of Vision 2020 was to achieve 20 percent for that goal. That means that schools in Georgia would have, at minimum, 20 percent of the food the serve to students be grown locally in our state.
Its a focus on the importance of Georgia’s Agriculture, but also its history. Black stated that agriculture has always been a major part of Georgia’s industry.
Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs prepares to sit down with State Representatives to share a Thanksgiving meal at Gilmer High School.
He also stated that in the last five years, “186 school systems in the state of Georgia… have responded with the economic impact information we’ve been seeking.” With those 186 systems, $59 million of Georgia food was purchased for these school systems in 2019.
Black also noted how the state has been supporting agriculture and business during the economic downs in order to make sure the Georgia is supporting and supplying itself for these reasons. Through these efforts, Black said, “Georgia grown produce is available to every school, every day. Today and moving into the future.”
Yet, Black was not the only state representative touting the importance of Georgia’s agriculture. Speaker of the House David Ralston added that he was happy with the great job that both local schools like Gilmer and the Department of Agriculture are doing in supporting each other through projects like this. Ralston stated, “It has diversified so much. Who would have ever thought that now we’re making Olive Oil in Georgia? Georgia has become a Wine destination.”
He praised the continued growth and change in the agriculture business and it “remains number one.” He gave credit to Black’s leadership in continuing support of the growth.
Hosting the steps forward and continuing “Vision 2020” alongside Georgia Grown foods, the State Representatives gave Gilmer County Schools the first of many signs indicating these Vision 2020 schools that have achieved and are continuing towards the 20 percent and beyond as they move towards the next steps.
Seamless Summer officially begins in Gilmer
News May 28, 2020
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – Bringing and official end to the Seamless Feeding Program with Memorial Day, Gilmer Schools have officially transferred this week into their Seamless Summer Program.
But this is more than just a name change on what the schools have already done, the Seamless Summer has many differences as the school system transitions into the normal summer cycle. The first and biggest difference will be delivery. Adapting to the needs of the county, the school system has run bus routes normally through the county during school to deliver work packets, food, and a second meal each day during the school year. Now, according to Gilmer Schools, the big purple bus (seen above) will be visiting site the way previous summer programs have held.
“The big purple bus will depart Mountain View Elementary to begin delivering meals… at approximately 11:00 A.M. Monday-Thursday each week this summer,” said the system’s social media post. The locations include:
-Gilmer County Health Department
-Boys and Girls Club
-Mulberry Street Apartments
-Ellijay 1st United Methodist Church
-Tower Road
-Carolyn Drive
Additionally, One change from Seamless Summer’s normal operation has lifted restrictions for on site consumption, meals do not have to be consumed onsite. This is also allowing Thursdays will be different as Lunch and Breakfast for the next day will be served. This means children will receive double meals to save for Friday. As per their usual program, any child 18 and under may receive meals.
This week saw Memorial Day as a holiday, but through Tuesday and Wednesday, Nutrition Director Linda Waters said the department has delivered 270 breakfasts and lunches to their sites and are now preparing for next week to bring on the Boys and Girls Club listed in their locations. Today, they are looking at double to cover Friday, meaning a delivery of 540 meals for lunch time.
The Nutrition Department goes through their numbers daily as they look to respond and adjust on a weekly basis to the county’s needs. For example, adjusting to incorporate the Boys and Girls Club next week, or adding in athletics summer programs beginning in early June when the add another 20 breakfasts for athletes and then 60 lunches as small groups practice with coaches throughout the day.
Waters said, “We will make it work.” She said she has had a great staff and has proven that as they adjusted to the needs during the COVID-19 outbreak and quarantines and they will adjust and adapt again to the developing needs.
In fact, the only thing holding the program back at this moment, said Waters, is a rising need for volunteers. Some sites are still very undermanned. But more than that, Waters said that right now, restrictions and regulations are setting boundaries for now, but what the program can grow into is all dependent upon the community. Normally, the Seamless Summer Program has daily events, reading with the children, playing, and other activities. Whether the program can return to that by summer’s end depends a little on state guidelines, but more on community volunteers who step up to lead and help with those activities. To reach that goal later, they still need those to answer the call now to receive and handout food at the current locations.
While the Nutrition Department is already preparing and planning for school in the fall and waiting to hear from State and County Boards of Education on how to proceed, they are continuing to juggle in the Seamless Summer Program and working towards making it a success in the eyes of the community.
UPDATED: Community response to needs in Coronavirus shutdown
Community, News March 13, 2020
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – Despite threats, concerns, and stories about everything closing and shutting down for the Coronavirus, Gilmer County is rebounding in Community response for those in need of help or guidance during this time.
UPDATED – March 23, 2020 – Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Adds Mobile Unit to Expand Emergency Department If Needed Amid COVID-19 Response
Mobile Unit for patients without respiratory symptoms; it is not a testing center
Jasper, Ga. (March 23, 2020) –Piedmont Mountainside Hospital has installed a mobile unit that can expand its emergency department if needed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mobile unit, which is located outside of the Emergency Department, is not a COVID-19 testing center. It will be reserved for patients who are seeking emergency care, but who do not have respiratory symptoms.
“In addition to increasing capacity, the mobile unit will allow us to care for patients who don’t have respiratory symptoms in a different location from patients who do have respiratory symptoms,” said Denise Ray, CEO of Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. “Most importantly, this offers a way to make sure we’re able to offer high-quality care to people in our community in the most efficient way possible.”
The addition of the mobile unit is the latest of a number of efforts at Piedmont Mountainside aimed at protecting patients, visitors and staff from exposure to coronavirus.
From the beginning of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, Piedmont has worked closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other agencies, including the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), to stay up-to-date with the latest information.
It’s important to understand that the situation is evolving every day, and as the CDC changes its guidelines, we, in turn, are updating our practices to follow the latest best practices and protocols.
UPDATED – March 18, 2020 – Chamber highlights for restaurants serving curbside and delivery
The Gilmer Chamber is again passing on information for those attempting to limits contact amid concerns for the Coronavirus, this time offering alternatives for restaurant food.
(The following information is accurate as of 10 AM on 3/18/2020. Lists will be updated once daily. Please stay tuned for updates and more info.) The following restaurants are operating curbside, drive-thru, and delivery services. Please contact the individual businesses for specific ordering procedures and information:
Abby’s Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
A Little Baked Bakery
The Appalachia
Back Porch Bistro
Cantaberry Restaurant
Cartecay River Pizza Company
Cartecay Vineyards
Charlie’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
Chateau Meichtry
Chick-fil-A Ellijay
The Chili Dog
Country Corner Kitchen
Dairy Queen
Double L Restaurant
Dunkin’
Ellijay Deli
Emily’s Bar & Restaurant
Engelheim Vineyards
IHOP
Krystal
La Catrina Tacos & Margaritas
Mike’s Ellijay Restaurant
Moe’s Southwest Grill – Ellijay, GA
Mr. P’s Takeout Food
The Pink Pig
R and A Orchards
River Street Tavern
Shane’s Rib Shack
SmokeHouse Country Grill
Starbucks
The Shack of Ellijay
Zaxby’s
Additionally, they also added a list of business operating AS USUAL during the virus.
The following retail locations are operating business as usual as of 3/17/2020. We have spoken with each of these business owners and representatives at length and we have been assured that these locations are operating with utmost safety standards. Please contact these businesses individually if you have any questions about how they can accommodate your needs at this time.
Ace Hardware of Ellijay, Inc.
Antiques on North Main in Ellijay, GA
Appalachian Beverage
Beds Etc Ellijay Ga
Black Bear Antiques
Circuit-World Ellijay
Hometown Florist & Yesterday’s Decor Furniture
Looch&Quigley
Lowe’s Home Improvement
R and A Orchards
MOUNTAIN LIFE Health Food Store
Mountain Treasures
Nancyfangles “Whimsical Creations”
North Georgia Gun Range
South Paw Natural Pets, LLC
Lavish Ellijay
TJ & Company Antiques
UPDATE – March 16, 2020
Despite Government offices and schools closing, Members from the Gilmer Food Pantry are trying to let people know that they are still open and serving the community for those in need.
If your church, community, gathering, non-profit, or any organization is also providing something to help over the next week, let us know at [email protected] so it can also be added here to our list as the community response continues.
ORIGINAL POST – March 13, 2020
GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – More and more reports are coming in of counties, schools, courts, and governments shutting down over the next week in the face of the Coronavirus but we also are seeing a rising community response to the news as well.
Despite the disparaging news and rising concerns, community members and government entities are stepping up to answer needs in this time. FYN’s current understanding of two major developments for students staying home from school involve internet access and food for the time away.
Gilmer Schools already made announcements earlier this week about attempting to continue to serve lunches in a similar fashion to Seamless Summer.
Today, several posts are appearing on social media from parents and information pages. And Gilmer Schools have also posted confirmation stating:
Gilmer school buses will distribute meals Monday-Friday, including lunch and a snack in bags, that will be simply handed out to students to be consumed off-site at the following locations from 11:30 AM-1:00 PM:
-Tower Road
-Mulberry Apts
-Civic Center
-Penlands Apple House on Hwy 282, Tails Creek
-First United Methodist
-Lakeside Trailer Park
-Cherry Log Baptist Church
-Salem Church on Boardtown
– R & A Orchards
-Orchard Church
-Gilmer Schools Agriculture Education Center
-Carolyn Drive
Additionally, free WI-FI is being offered at locations around the county for students who may need access. According to Gilmer Schools, parents can park next to the facilities so students can connect to download work and check email.
Each of these sites are made available to help students as teachers and the schools attempt to mitigate any lapse in education as a part of the community response. As previously reported, Gilmer County Schools stated, “We will use Digital Learning Days during this closure for 6th-12th grade and paper learning packets for Kindergarten-5th grade to continue teaching and learning.”
If your church, community, gathering, non-profit, or any organization is also providing something to help over the next week, let us know at [email protected] so it can also be added here to our list as the community response continues.
“I Heart Ga Milk” day at EES
Bobcat's Corner February 17, 2020
Misty Friedman, Farm to School Nutrition Coordination for the Georgia Department of Agriculture, plays with Georgie’s, Georgia Grown’s mascot, ear at the I Heart Ga Milk Day at EES on February 14, 2020.
ELLIJAY, Ga. – Gilmer Schools saw a special Friday as they celebrated the I Heart Ga Milk Day at Ellijay Elementary School with guests from the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
The event was hosted in Gilmer County as part of the state’s Georgia Grown “Feed My School” program from the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Gilmer Schools’ Nutrition Director Linda Waters helped make the program possible along with staff and faculty of Ellijay Elementary and also hosted Misty Friedman, Farm to School/Nutrition Coordination for the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Friedman commented on the event saying, “My job is to bring more Georgia foods to our Georgia students. And events like this just puts us on the front lines of all the great work that’s being done to support our Georgia Farmers and to really teach our kids where their food comes from.”
The celebration lasted through breakfast, serving hot chocolate milk with marshmallows early that morning and saw the staff wearing their I Heart Ga Milk t-shirts while Georgie the Georgia Grown mascot and the Chick-fil-A Cow mascot hung out with the kids. Staff handed out pencils and educational materials about “the benefits of milk.”
Friedman went on to say, “I love coming out and visiting with the schools and seeing the kids enjoy, literally, the fruits of the labor of our Georgia Farmers.”
See more photos at FYN’s Facebook Page.
