[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 179 (Tuesday, October 31, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 443--DESIGNATING OCTOBER 2023 AS ``NATIONAL FARM TO 
                             SCHOOL MONTH''

  Mr. BROWN (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. King, Mr. 
Booker, Ms. Smith, and Mr. Heinrich) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 443

       Whereas farm to school programs of varying scale operate in 
     nearly 67,369 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 2023 would be an appropriate month to 
     designate as ``National Farm to School Month'': Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates October 2023 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, early care and education 
     organizations, and local educational agencies to use local 
     farm products in meals; and
       (4) encourages schools, early care and education 
     organizations, 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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