Levy Schools steer clear of tainted beef

Parents nationwide were alarmed and appalled when they learned that a major beef supplier to schools across the country was being accused of cattle abuse.

A recent video showed sick cows heading to the slaughterhouse at the California-based Westland/Hallmark plant.

Worries ran rampant of potentially diseased meat being fed to schoolkids across the USA.

Reportedly, a record 143 million pounds of beef was recalled –37 million which was targeted for school lunch programs.

While some schools in the north central Florida area were affected by the recall, Levy County Schools has steered in the clear.

"We've been on top of it from day one,"said county schools food cooordinator Candy Barber. "From the Superintendent down to the management."

Barber's investigation has found no beef from the beleagured plant.

"We don't have any of the beef that's being recalled,"she said. "The buying group we're in doesn't use their beef. We're part of U.S. Foods. They supply us with Tyson beef and Tyson chicken. The ones that are affected are with the Florida Buying Group. Tyson doesn't deal with them."

Barber explained that small counties band together in power buying groups.

"We piggy back to get better prices," she said.

Barber said that there were some prepackaged burritos where they were unsure of the meat's origin.

"We pulled them," Barber said.

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Last month, the Levy County School Board members joined together to write a letter to the State Board of Education, pleading that the new science standards being voted on would not include the word "evolution."

This would further isolate those who believe in "creativity" or "intelligent design," they reasoned.

There were many others across the state –elected officials, clergy and other school adminstrators and teachers – who felt the same way.

But in the vote held Tuesday, Feb. 19, in Tallahassee, the board voted to include the new science teachings including the "E word."

Previously, the state dodged the word evolution by referring to it as "change over time."

Evolution is the concept first designed by British naturalist Charles Darwin.

His findings and theories have long clashed with those who believe in creativity.