In 2007, a group of Oregon dreamers had the vision of all schools serving healthy, locally-produced foods on the lunch line, and kids gardening in schools everywhere.
That dream came true. Oregon is now the first 100% farm-to-school state!
This past session, the Oregon legislature passed one of a series of bills that provides about $4 million in state funding for schools to buy food produced or processed in Oregon. (Four cents per lunch adds up!) It also provides nearly a million dollars in grants to connect what is happening in the cafeteria with the school gardens. For some inspiration, read the Oregon Farm to School Bill.
Add to that Oregon has Farm to School coordinators in the departments of agriculture and education. The farm to school concept is fully institutionalized! With all this support in place, it will continue to grow and flourish over time for the benefits of kids, food producers and communities across the state.
If you want to get involved right away, you are in luck! Congress is currently considering federal policy, the Farm to School Act of 2015. Contact your Congressional delegates to find where the act is in the policy process, what their position is, and how you can get involved.
Want to know what state level farm to school policy is happening? Check out the State Farm to School Legislative Survey, and contact your state legislators.
Watch interviews with the original co-sponsors of farm to school legislation in Oregon,Speaker Tina Kotek and Representative Brian Clem talking about the policy process and benefits.
Have you ever dreamed of a policy change that could make it easy to raise happy, healthy kids? Let’s hear all about it in the comment section below.
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