The Mother Nature Network – Tom Oder
“That’s because actions on state and federal levels in three areas will have a profound effect on what Deborah Kane, national director of the USDA Farm to School program, thinks could become one of the most important classrooms for every child in every school in America, the cafeteria. In February, bipartisan supporters in the House and Senate introduced the Farm to School Act of 2015 into Congress. The act seeks to build on the success of the USDA Farm to School Program in several key ways: by increasing annual mandatory grant funding from $5 million to $15 million and by expanding the program’s scope to include meals served during the summer when school is out and to children aged 0-5 in preschool settings. The act also includes an emphasis on serving traditional foods in tribal schools. Grants under the existing program have been distributed since 2011. In March, the USDA began conducting its second Farm to School Census. The census will provide updates on how many school districts purchase locally produced food for school meal programs and conduct Farm to School activities. Look for the results in October as part of Farm to School Month.”(more)