Conn. one step closer to statewide farm-to-school program

Connecticut may soon be implementing a number of farm-to-school programs across the state, as its Senate and House have passed a bill that could put farm-to-school programs in place in more Connecticut public schools.

Senate Bill 76 has now been pushed forward to Gov. Dannel Malloy for his signature, according to a press release obtained by Patch.com.

The legislation—proposed by Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr., D-Branford—would encourage public school districts' boards of education to purchase food from local farmers in an effort to enhance the state’s farm-to-school efforts.

“The farm-to-school program is a win-win for Connecticut’s farmers and students around the state,” Sen. Kennedy said in the release. “Students in our state will be eating fresh, healthy foods produced at state farms, and local farmers will be able to sell more of their produce, helping to expand Connecticut’s agricultural economy,”

Legislature encouraging and even mandating statewide farm-to-school programs is becoming more common, as the Louisiana Senate last month passed a bill that would require implementation of such programs in all of the state's public schools. 

Read the full story via Patch.com.