[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 173 (Thursday, October 31, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 403--DESIGNATING OCTOBER 2019 AS ``NATIONAL FARM TO 
                             SCHOOL MONTH''

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

                              S. Res. 403

       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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