Isle of Wight County Schools made some noise on Oct. 10 for local farm-to-school programs by participating in the eighth annual “crunch heard ‘round the commonwealth.”

The event raises awareness of Virginia farm-to-school programs by having participants across the state take a bite out of a Virginia-grown apple.

The program launched in 2017 and has grown exponentially over the years. This year’s event was held at the IWCS Agricultural Land Lab, a student-run farm behind Windsor Elementary. Guests included Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons, Virginia Department of Education School Nutrition Program Regional Specialist Brandy Shaffer, IWCS School Board Chairman Jason Maresh and Vice Chairman Mark Wooster, Del. Otto Wachsmann, R-Sussex, Del. Nadarius Clark, D-Suffolk, Jennifer Bivins from the office of state Sen. Emily Jordan, R-Isle of Wight, County Administrator Randy Keaton, Windsor Mayor George Stubbs and Smithfield Vice Mayor Valerie Butler, as well as representatives from several community partners, including the United Way of South Hampton Roads, the Peanut Soil and Water Conservation District, and Isle of Wight County Extension 4-H. Students and teachers from Windsor Elementary, IWCS employees and agriculture students rounded out the attendees. Refreshments featuring items prepared with Virginia apples were provided by the IWCS culinary arts program.