[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 109 (Thursday, June 27, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S4633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. Perdue, Mr. Brown, and Ms. 
        Collins):
  S. 2026. A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch 
Act to reauthorize the farm to school program, and for other purposes; 
to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  In 2010, Congress passed the Healthy and Hunger-Free Kids Act, which 
reauthorized child nutrition programs and made healthy meal choices a 
reality to children nationwide. Far too many children and adolescents 
in the United States suffer from obesity, which puts them at risk for 
developing chronic health conditions later in life. One of the best 
ways to help students make healthy choices is to teach them about their 
food and how it is grown. Making that connection makes a difference. 
That is why I championed the inclusion of funding for a farm to school 
grant program, which was included in the Healthy and Hunger-Free Kids 
Act.
  The program has had tremendous success and interest nationwide, and 
has awarded grants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to 
support programs in more than 33,000 schools. Building upon the success 
of this program, I am glad to be joined today by Senators Perdue, 
Brown, and Collins in introducing the Farm to School Act of 2019. In 
years past, I have championed this important farm to school legislative 
effort with one of my dearest friends, Thad Cochran, who sadly passed 
away last month.
  We all know that hungry children cannot learn. Studies have shown 
that healthy nutrition in a young person's diet is crucial to cognitive 
ability and better health in the long run. Food insecurity and obesity 
rates are still too high in this country, resulting in poor health, and 
learning and behavioral difficulties at school. The school meal program 
has made tremendous strides in recent years to ensure not only that 
children have access to meals throughout the school day, but that those 
meals are nutritious. The Farm to School program has given children and 
schools across the country the tools to craft farm-fresh, healthy, and 
delicious meals that students enjoy.
  The Farm to School grant program offers support to farmers and local 
economies, while teaching kids about nutritious foods and how they are 
grown. The program has a strong educational component, making our 
school cafeterias an extension of the classroom, giving students an 
opportunity to learn about nutrition, well-balanced meals, and even how 
to grow the food themselves.
  In Vermont, I have seen first-hand how farm to school efforts have 
better connected children with the food in their cafeteria. Students 
participate in school gardens, sustainability projects, and taste tests 
for new school menu items. With the help of a USDA Farm to School 
grant, the Burlington School Food Project has created a partnership 
with a local Vermont beef processor and 100 percent of the beef served 
the last school year was locally sourced, and that will continue next 
year as well. Organizations in Vermont such as Vermont Food Education 
Every Day, Shelburne Farms, and the Northeast Organic Farming 
Association have been able to expand their programs to link more farms 
to the classroom throughout Vermont.
  Farm to school is equally crucial to farmers and ranchers by opening 
another market to them to sell their locally grown and locally 
harvested goods. The program links the classroom with the farm to 
engage students in the importance of farming and contributing to the 
local economy. Every dollar spent on local food generates up to an 
additional $2.16 in economic activity.
  This program is so popular among school and farmers alike that demand 
for grants far outpaces available funding. Since the program began in 
2013, USDA has received more than 1,900 applications, but has only been 
able to fund 437 projects. The Farm to School Act of 2019 would build 
upon the success of the program and expand its reach by increasing the 
funding for the program to $15 million per year. The bill also 
recognizes the importance of growing the program to include preschools, 
summer food service program sites, and after-school programs.
  Ensuring children have enough food to eat is an issue that unites us 
all. There is simply no excuse that in the wealthiest, most powerful 
Nation on Earth people go hungry. Small changes in eating habits by 
children will result in lifelong health benefits for generations to 
come. The Farm to School program empowers children and their families 
to make healthy choices now and in the future. As the Senate begins 
considering reauthorizing the child nutrition bill this year, I look 
forward to including these improvements in the Farm to School program.
                                 ______