From Ranch to Lunch Tray: Students Thank Ranchers for Beef Donation
KOTA Territory News came out to do a great story on the luncheon our team at Custer School District helped cook up to thank area ranchers for donating beef to the district over the past several years. Check it out below!
Published: Feb. 13, 2025 at 6:59 PM CST
CUSTER, S.D. (KOTA) – For years, local Custer County ranchers have donated South Dakota-raised beef to the Custer School District for students to enjoy at lunch. The school said thank you with a luncheon on Thursday.
Erica Layton is the food service director for Lunchtime Solutions, she said she wanted to hold the thank-you luncheon, so the ranchers could see how happy the students are to eat their lunch every day.
Ranchers came to the Hermosa School where they were served their choice of meatloaf or sloppy joes to enjoy with the students.
Thank you cards were made by the students and hung on the wall for the donors to admire, and students even had the opportunity to pie teachers in the face.
All of the beef served as lunch entrées is 100% donated, grass-fed, local beef and is delivered twice a year to the school. Layton said serving local beef is a healthier option than commercial beef and its additives. She said it tastes better too.
Heath Reindl was one of the first ranchers to donate to the program and said he was excited for children to enjoy local beef at school.
“I think it’s a great opportunity, not just to showcase the local beef, we think everybody is very proud of what they’re raising; getting it into our children’s lives,” Reindl said. “Some of the kids that don’t get to see local beef, local meat, very nutritious and South Dakota-raised is some of the best meat around.”
He added his children, who attend school in Custer, enjoy pointing out their name on the school’s wall.
“A lot of the time they’re eating the same things they’d be eating at home and that makes you feel real good,” Reindl explained.
Both Reindl and Layton agreed the program has been a success.
“It’s really important to keep the program going, so if they see the great use their beef is being put to and keeping the children happy and healthy, we’re really going to grow the program,” Layton said.
Reindl added to Layton’s thoughts.
“I’d like to see this move on to other places and more town in Custer and even out of the state,” Reindl said. “I think there are a lot of people willing to help donate to make sure our kids are getting good nutritional beef.”
Reindl added he looks forward to donating beef to the district for years to come.