In recent years schools across the state have been taking part in Georgia Grown’s farm to school initiatives, including ‘Feed My School for a Week’ and the ’20/20 Vision for School Nutrition’ — which aims to have at least 20 percent of every meal in the state’s public schools be comprised of Georgia products by the start of the 2020 school year.
These types of programs could continue to grow under the Farm to School Act of 2019 introduced recently by U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT). The Farm to School Act would expand partnerships between farmers and school districts and encourage schools to use more locally-grown produce in students’ meals.
The legislation builds upon the existing Farm to School program and would provide grant-based funding to procure local foods, establish school gardens, and educate children and families on the importance of healthy foods.
“The Farm to School program connects schools with local farmers and provides hands-on opportunities for kids to learn where their food comes from,” said Senator Perdue. “Studies have shown that when local food is served in schools, students consume 30% more fruits and vegetables. The Farm to School program is an important first step toward improving child nutrition, while also supporting our agriculture community and growing the economy.”
The Farm to School Program was first launched in Georgia in 2011. As of 2014, 93 Georgia school districts and 1,615 Georgia schools participated in Farm to School activities.
A webpage dedicated to Georgia’s Farm to School programs points out that the program provides many benefits to students, farmers, schools and the community. It states, “Students learn about where their food comes from, are provided with fresh, locally grown food choices and nutrition education related to those foods, and in some cases have opportunities to meet the farmers that grow those local foods. Farmers experience new or expanding market opportunities for their agriculture products. The 2020 Vision enhances and supports the efforts of the School Nutrition Program and promotes a positive perception of school nutrition programs. Purchasing Georgia grown products supports the local economy and keeps money circulating in Georgia. A farm to school program and the 2020 Vision for School Nutrition provide a link from the agriculture community to schools.”
The Farm to School program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Perdue and Leahy’s bill would increase the program’s authorized funding level from $5 million to $15 million. Studies have shown that every dollar spent on local food can generate up to an additional $2.16 in economic activity.
