Knox's Dining Services Director Wins Local Food Award

Helmut Mayer, Knox College director of dining services, has won an award for his efforts to incorporate Galesburg area-produced food into the meals served to Knox students, faculty, and staff.

The Illinois Stewardship Alliance created the awards to recognize what it calls "the creative, innovative and pioneering local food activities in Illinois."

The ISA selected Mayer as one of 18 recipients of the 2011 Golden Beet Award. He was selected in the category of "Farm to School."

Mayer's nomination for the Golden Beet stated: "For several years, Helmut has made a special effort to purchase locally produced food for dining services at Knox College. He beats the drum for local food and educates staff & students about it. He was also interviewed for the ‘Wa$ted' show on the Planet Green Network."

Mayer buys potatoes, onions, zucchini, melons, peppers, apples, and other produce from the Local Growers' Network, a group of growers in Knox and Peoria counties. He said the Golden Beet Award came as a pleasant surprise.

"The local food movement has gotten progressively stronger," Mayer added. "It's a growing trend."

Photo above: Helmut Mayer, left, talks with Holter Graham of the Planet Green television show, "Wa$ted."