N.J. win-win solution: Fighting childhood obesity and supporting local farmers

[FarCenter]

Friday, 05 March 2010 16:10

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12-) has introduced legislation that would create a Farm to School grant program to fight childhood obesity and support local farmers. The Child Nutrition Act is up for reauthorization this year, and Holt — a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor — is working to improve how food is sourced for the 31 million children that eat at school five days a week, 180 days a year.

"Farm to school programs exemplify the best use of federal school lunch dollars," Holt said. "This is a rare opportunity for a win-win solution - a program to ensure our children get the best quality food at school, help foster local farm job growth, and create local economic growth."

The Farm to School Improvements Act (H.R. 4710) would establish a competitive grant and technical assistance program to increase the use of local foods from small and medium sized farms in schools. The grant funds also would improve the relationships between schools and local food providers. The legislation would provide $10 million in mandatory funding each year for the duration of the program and require that grant recipients provide a local match to ensure serious commitment to the project.

Farm to School programs have shown that locally and regionally produced food can be provided efficiently from nearby producers if there is a good distribution system. The grants authorized by this legislation would provide communities the seed money they need to develop robust, economically-sustainable programs linking agricultural producers with schools.

"This seed funding could not come at a better time as the interest and need for Farm to School programs is at an all time high," said Marion Kalb, co-Director of the National Farm to School Network. "HR 4710 will create competitive, one-time grants that can be used to develop vendor relationships with nearby farmers, plan seasonal menus and promotional materials, start a school garden, or develop hands-on nutrition education."

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http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/healthquest/nj-win-win-solution-fighting-childhood-obesity-and-supporting-local-farmers

[CTyankee]

1. A sensible, good program. So why do I get the feeling that somebody here

is gonna flame this thread? :shrug:

[Tippy]

2. Our local Salvation Army aquired some property

They call it the FARM...They will grow their own food. currently they are building wooden lawn chairs and bird houses and selling these to buy what is needed for their gardens..I believe the property may have been donated. I think the plan is to raise/buy some livestock. The folks who stay at the shelter are doing the work.

I hope this bill is passed quickly. I think the First Lady's Garden may have started a new trend.

[CTyankee]

3. Oh, that is nice! Also, the folks in the shelter, if they are not already working

(which many homeless people DO), will have a sense of self worth through working to produce food.

[MissB]

4. Our public school district opts to not take federal funding for lunches.

Instead, we contract with a catering company who uses local organic ingredients to make lunches. The menus are seasonal and healthy. The drawback? Lunches aren't cheap.

[tabbycat31]

5. great article

I actually spoke to Rush Holt today, and will be meeting him again in a few weeks (though he is not my rep).

I love this idea but I bet Monsanto and big Agra is waiting to stop it.