In the Frankfort "Local Foods, Local Places" community conversation, people expressed a need for more school gardens and more local foods to be served in school meals. 

The Love Local Lunch idea was created for Frankfort Independent Schools by the Farm to School Coordinator through the efforts of The Farmers Market and community volunteers. The free meal to all students, staff and parents celebrated local farmers, community partners, and the work of feeding each other. The Franklin County Extension Office teamed up with FIS food service staff, KSU and the local Cattlemen's Association to grill 250lbs of local sirloin steak for over 900 students and guests. Baked potatoes, thyme roasted carrots, butternut squash and salad were all sourced locally with some ingredients grown at the schools by the students.

School systems typically have less than $2 to spend per student lunch. With funding, donations and growing their own the FIS students were able to enjoy a nutritious and local meal estimated to have cost over $7,500 total.

The community partners who helped make this meal possible include the USDA, KY Department of Agriculture, Inside Out Design, Kentucky State University, Franklin County Cooperative Extension, Yes Arts, KY Native Plant Society, Capital Area Extension Master Gardeners, BrokenFork Design, the Jane Julian Farm, and FoodChain.