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Some local schools are earning high marks for the food they serve students.

Turkey, green beans and sweet potato is not just your normal Thanksgiving day meal, it's what's for lunch at Dover Elementary School.

"I think it's great because my body will be more healthy," said fifth grader Kristall Strobert.

It's part of the U.S. Agriculture Department's Healthier School challenge and Dover is one of eight Orangeburg County District Five schools that made gold status.

"It's important because it's what we're talking about in health class right now," said Strobert.

USDA's Lanna Kirk agrees starting kids eating fruits and vegetables early is key.

"That's why we've started this challenge in elementary school hoping that it will develop good eating habits, good physical activity habits that will last them throughout their life," said Kirk.

Small steps toward long lives for these young students.

Other District Five receipents:

Dover Elementary
Bethune-Bowman Elementary
Brookdale Elementary
Marshall Elementary
Mellichamp Elementary
Rivelon Elementary
Sheridan Elementary
and Whittaker Elementary