Throughout Georgia, early care and education centers, and elementary, middle, and high schools utilized our pepper-themed resource packet to engage students in hands-on learning activities. Participants were encouraged to share their Pepper Palooza activities via a social media contest using #pepperpalooza. The grand prize winner of this contest was the Feagin Mill Middle School chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). The chapter shared multiple posts each week showcasing students singing pepper songs and raps, cooking a Palooza-worthy array of pepper themed dishes including chili and candied jalapenos, and taste-testing all things pepper.
The entire month of October was peppered with competitions: 17 FCCLA Chapters competed for the best local Pepper Palooza campaign. Mossy Creek Middle FCCLA’s Palooza activities and antics involved the entire school; they even “peppered” the principal’s office! Georgia Organics was happy to sponsor FCCLA to recognize their advisors’ and members’ participation in the campaign.
Every great party has food, and School Nutrition stepped up to bring the party to school lunches. School Nutrition directors sourced peppers from Georgia farmers and served peppers in school cafeterias. Bartow and Cobb School Nutrition departments received recognition from Georgia Organics for incorporating peppers at least once a week throughout the month of October. From pepper topped tacos to sliced bell pepper and carrot “dippers,” they took time to spice up the menu for Farm to School month.
