TAYLOR — Loup County Public Schools is set to bring a program to its students that allows the community to donate cattle or swine for meals.
The idea is a hybrid of one done through the Nebraska Cattlemen.
Superintendent Rusty Ruppert says it’s a chance for the kids to combine home life with school life. “Over here, if you’re not in town, you’re probably on a ranch,” he says. “That’s just the way it is.”
The donated animals need to be inspected before processing to meet USDA standards. Currently, Twin Loup Quality Meats in St. Paul has agreed to help with the program.
Overall, Ruppert hopes this will create a sense of pride in the area’s ability to bring ranch to plate.
“It’s a local product and it’s used in our own schools for our own kids,” he says. “It helps a very positive attitude about the meal and the whole situation and also for people out in the community supporting the school.”
It’s a quick turnaround for this meal program. Loup County is hoping to have the first animal processed by March 17th.
