USDA Issues Grants to Get More Local Food in School Cafeterias

From the USDA:

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Tuesday announced grants for 71 projects spanning 42 states and the District of Columbia that support the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) efforts to connect school cafeterias with local farmers and ranchers through its Farm to School program.
"In rural and urban communities across the country, Farm to School programs teach students where food comes from, while providing healthy foods that are grown locally on farms and ranches across the nation," said Vilsack.

"These programs also create new market opportunities for local farmers and ranchers interested in partnering with nearby school districts – and by helping to create an even more diverse and thriving agriculture sector, Farm to School efforts hold potential to create new jobs in rural areas," he said.
Selected projects will serve more than 13,000 schools and 2.8 million students, nearly 45 percent of whom live in rural communities.

Two projects in New York state are being funded: The New York Botanical Garden and the Orange County Department of Health in Goshen.

Farm To School Census

Does your school district buy locally grown and produced foods? 

Do you want to find out? Check out http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/census#/ this census that could open your eyes to where school food is coming from.

Getting More Local Foods into Schools

Here's a good video report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture about efforts to get more local food from farms into schools.

Students at Schools Offering More Fruits and Veggies Ate More of Them

Go to http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/err-economic-research-report/err154.aspx#.Uh0Vvj_wZLs to read the whole USDA report.

Healthier Snacks Coming to Elementary, High Schools

Hey kiddos! Get ready for healthier snacks in school.

USDA Gets Ready for Back To School

The USDA plays a vital role in children's school days, from nutritional meals to new buildings. Check it out.

USDA: Healthier Snacks Coming to Schools Across the Country

Check out this video on how kids will see only healthy snacks at schools from now on.