New Jersey congressman introduces Farm to School bill
Last week, Congressman Rush Holt (D-N.J.) introduced the Farm to School Improvements Act of 2010 (HR 4710). Let’s here it for the congressman from New Jersey!
The Act is an amendment the the National School Lunch Act, and it calls for $50 million in competitive matching grants and technical assistance, to eligible entities for farm to school programs that
“(1) improve access to local foods in schools and institutions participating in programs under this Act and section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) through farm to school activities, including the purchase of local food, establishment of effective relationships between school and institutional food service providers, distributors, and producers or groups of producers, school gardens, appropriate equipment, and the provision of training and education; and
“(A) improve the nutritional health and well being of children;
“(B) procure healthy local foods from small and medium-sized farms for meals at eligible schools and institutions;
“(C) support experiential nutrition education activities and curriculum planning that incorporates the participation of school children in farm and garden-based agricultural education activities;
“(D) develop a sustained commitment to farm to school programs in the community by linking schools and institutions, State and local agencies including Indian Tribal Organizations, institutions of higher education, agricultural producers, parents, community garden groups and other community stakeholders; and
“(E) increase farm income by facilitating farmers’ access to institutional markets including schools.
According to Urban Farm Hub, the bill needs additional co-sponsors. This is where you and I can help. Call, fax, write, or e-mail your representatives and let them know you support this bill and you would like them to co-sponsor it. You can go to Congress.org for easy access to your representatives’ contact information.
Image: Brennan
I think this is a fantastic program and I hope that it makes it into law. I have friends in Texas whose children go to a private school that serves organic, locally-grown food – every day. I would love to see something like this in all schools, regardless of funding source.
Something like this in every school would be great. I’d be satisfied even with starting small – have one fresh, local meal a week or one item each day. One item a day at my sons’ school would be a nice start – right now, everything is junk.
This is such a necessary bill. In the school proposals of John Dewey, circa 1899, the school garden was one of the central areas of every elementary school. Grow real food; learn responsibility and care for living things, learn botany and agriculture. Cooperate with others in preparing and serving garden fresh meals; enjoy real food tastes.
Sure beats text prep and junk food!
That’s interesting about the 1899 school proposals. Central to every elementary school. Thanks for the info.
Nicely done Jersey!