Chellie Pingree: “October is National Farm to School Month, and I want to talk today about the recent gains our schools have made in…”

“October is National Farm to School Month, and I want to talk today about the recent gains our schools have made in connecting students with local food. Across the country, the Farm to School movement has inspired over 40,000 schools to spend more of their food dollars locally, to create healthier meal options, and to teach students about growing and preparing local food. These efforts have brought numerous benefits, like new markets for local agricultural producers, better nutrition for students, and less food being thrown away in the trash. I am proud that schools in my State of Maine have helped lead the way; but, like others, they encounter many challenges in replacing highly processed food with fresh ingredients. The USDA Farm to School grants have eased that transition for many schools by helping them make needed changes in procurement, facilities, and training. As we celebrate Farm to School efforts this month and look toward child nutrition reauthorization, I encourage my colleagues to support increased funding for this program so more communities can reap the benefits. ____________________”