Morganton, NC – Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Burke County Public Schools is adding a new chef to the kitchen, the Pig Rig. This mobile propane grill will travel to schools serving smoked meats for lunch on Premium Days, a monthly event when BCPS cafeterias offer students a premium entree choice at regular price.
Burke County Public Schools Child Nutrition Director Daniel Wall said, “Feeding students healthy, delicious meals is our main goal, and we’ve found some cool ways to do that. We’re excited to offer students some new options for Premium Days.” For future Premium Days, students can look forward to brisket, smoked barbecue and more from the Pig Rig.
The Career and Technical Education department will also benefit from the Pig Rig. High school culinary students will learn about smoking different types of meat later this semester. Culinary teachers will be trained on safety techniques to ensure a safe environment for students.
Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan said, “The Pig Rig is a great addition to BCPS, giving our students new premium options for lunch and also broadening our culinary students’ skills.”
The Pig Rig will make its debut Tuesday, Feb. 7 at Draughn High School providing smoked chicken thighs to those students and surrounding middle schoolers and elementary schoolers for Premium Day. The full schedule for February is:
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Feb. 7: Draughn High School, Drexel Elementary, Valdese Elementary, Heritage Middle School, Hallyburton Academy
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Feb. 14: East Burke High School, East Burke Middle School, Icard Elementary, George Hildebrand Elementary, Ray Childers Elementary, Hildebran Elementary
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Feb. 21: Freedom High School, Table Rock Middle School, Walter Johnson Middle School, Oak Hill Elementary, Glen Alpine Elementary, W.A. Young Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary
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Feb. 28: Patton High School, Liberty Middle School, Forest Hill Elementary, Salem Elementary, Mull Elementary
The Pig Rig was purchased by the BCPS child nutrition department as part of the budget surplus spend-down plan. BCPS students helped choose the name through a survey where Pig Rig won over 36 percent of the votes.