[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 160 (Thursday, October 29, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                     NATIONAL FARM TO SCHOOL MONTH

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                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 29, 2015

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, October is National Farm to School Month, an 
important opportunity to celebrate the close connection between local 
schools and local food in communities throughout the country. Farm to 
School initiatives play an important role in growing that connection, 
improving child nutrition, supporting local jobs and economies, and 
educating the next generation about the sources of their food.
  Many of our rural communities are struggling. Meanwhile, access to 
affordable, nutritious food continues to be a challenge for many inner 
city communities. With these trends at work, it will be especially 
important to grow our Farm to School initiatives. One such initiative 
in Sandusky, Ohio connects students and their families with fresh, 
healthy food and local food producers. These programs are vitally 
important because they bridge the gap between rural and urban 
communities and help build local food systems that provide food 
security and independence.
  It is no wonder that Farm to School programs are cropping up all over 
the country, today reaching more than 40,000 schools and over 25.5 
million students. Here are the outcomes:
  For Farmers: Growing sales opportunities. Reliable demand. Expanded 
community interest in local foods.
  For Schools: Reduction in child obesity; fresh and local food options 
that increase participation rates in school food programs, thereby 
boosting revenues.
  For the Community: Keeps food dollars in the community; ensures 
healthy local farms that provide jobs, pay taxes, and protect working 
agricultural land.
  Mr. Speaker, America's Farm to School programs are a win-win-win 
scenario.
  So as we conclude this month long celebration, I urge my colleagues 
in the House to support H.R. 1061, The Farm To School Act of 2015 
introduced by Congressman Fortenberry, which reauthorizes Farm to 
School programs through FY 2021 and allows land grant colleges and 
universities to participate as well.
  Connecting our nation's schools to locally produced nutritious foods 
is not a partisan issue. It affects both Democratic and Republican 
districts. The House has an opportunity to act on this pressing matter 
with dispatch today. I suggest we take it.

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