USDA promises to help school districts buy locally grown produce
Published on
09/15/2009 03:40PM
The U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to assist schools in a new initiative to encourage purchases of locally grown food.
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said new farm-to-school initiatives will help school administrators’ transition to purchasing more locally grown foods in remarks about the just-launched “Know your farmer, know your food” initiative.
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and the agency’s Food and Nutrition Service will participate in the farm to school tactical teams, according to a USDA news release.
In addition, the news release said the agencies will issue updated purchasing guidance so schools can buy locally grown produce for student feeding programs through USDA school nutrition programs.
Food and Nutrition Service administrator Julie Paradis made the an-nouncement about the new program at the Homegrown School Lunch Week Kickoff in Hanover, Md.
The USDA’s Farm to school tactical teams will begin visiting schools soon, the news release said, and projects and educational materials for schools will be developed with the help of the Department of Education.
The USDA said the “Know your farmer, know your food” campaign is an important component of rural economic development.