Marlboro County School District is celebrating outstanding performance following the latest round of South Carolina Department of Agriculture food safety ratings, with all schools in the county earning “A”s. During this school year, all schools have completed their first mandatory inspection.
The results from the inspections are impressive:
• Clio Elementary School – 99%
• Blenheim School of Discovery – 98%
• McColl Elementary/Middle School – 99%
• Marlboro County High School – 96%
• Wallace Elementary/Middle School – 100%
• Bennettsville Intermediate School – 100%
• Bennettsville Primary School – 95%
According to district leaders, these rankings are a result of hard work by every food service staff member in each school.
“Our staff has been working hard to meet these expectations and maintain an A grade standard because we believe in providing this service to every part of this district,” explained the Director for Food Service. High Standards, Strong Systems
To maintain and improve food safety and sanitation, the district strictly adheres to all state and federal requirements. Each cafeteria operates under a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan and maintains ServSafe certification, ensuring that food is handled, prepared, and served according to the highest safety standards. Oversight and Accountability Department of Agriculture inspections and compliance efforts are coordinated by the district’s Director of Food Service, Anna Chappell, in partnership with Field Supervisor Jamie Gould. Together, they provide ongoing support and monitoring to ensure every school cafeteria remains inspection-ready year-round, not just on inspection day.
Looking Ahead: Continued Inspections and Initiatives
The next round of Department of Agriculture inspections for Marlboro County School District cafeterias is scheduled to begin in February 2026. Each school is required to undergo two inspections annually to ensure ongoing compliance with state and federal food safety standards.
Beyond inspections, the district remains committed to strengthening food safety practices and enhancing the nutritional quality of meals served to students. Ongoing professional development, regular internal walk-throughs, and close collaboration with school administrators help maintain a culture of safety and excellence across all cafeterias.
“Our goal is not just to maintain these high scores, but to keep improving,” said Anna Chappell, Food Service Director. “At the end of the day, our students deserve safe, highquality meals they can count on every single day.”
