[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 403 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 403

     Designating October 2019 as ``National Farm to School Month''.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 31, 2019

    Mr. Leahy (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Perdue) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

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                               RESOLUTION


 
     Designating October 2019 as ``National Farm to School Month''.

Whereas farm to school programs of varying scale operate in nearly 43,000 
        schools across the United States;
Whereas farm to school programs connect schools and local farms in order to--

    (1) serve nutritious meals in school cafeterias; and

    (2) support local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen;

Whereas farm to school programs include experiential education components that 
        can lead to permanent improvements in the diets of children, both in 
        school and at home;
Whereas farm to school programs facilitate the purchase of local food for school 
        meals;
Whereas farm to school programs can benefit small and mid-sized agricultural 
        producers by providing access to consistent markets;
Whereas farm to school programs can be particularly important for beginning or 
        socially disadvantaged farmers, as schools provide a consistent and 
        secure customer base;
Whereas farm to school programs can benefit local economies;
Whereas for every $1 spent on local foods in schools, up to an additional $2 
        circulates in the local economy;
Whereas data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that only 
        7 percent of children consume the recommended amount of vegetables;
Whereas communities with high levels of poverty have less access to fresh fruits 
        and vegetables than higher income communities;
Whereas the increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is 1 of 6 major 
        strategies to prevent and control obesity, according to the Centers for 
        Disease Control and Prevention;
Whereas studies have demonstrated that children in schools with an active farm 
        to school program increase their average consumption of fresh fruits and 
        vegetables by 1 or more servings per day;
Whereas farm to school programs--

    (1) are popular among children;

    (2) can increase interest in school meal programs; and

    (3) can decrease food waste; and

Whereas October 2019 would be an appropriate month to designate as ``National 
        Farm to School Month'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates October 2019 as ``National Farm to School 
        Month'';
            (2) recognizes support for policy improvements to farm to 
        school programs in legislation reauthorizing child nutrition 
        programs;
            (3) encourages schools and local educational agencies to 
        use local farm products in meals; and
            (4) encourages schools, farmers and farm groups, local 
        businesses, nonprofit institutions, churches, cities, State 
        governments, and other local groups to raise awareness of farm 
        to school efforts in their communities.
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