Oregon Farm to School Program Gaining Support

April 13—The Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Communities Committee of the Oregon House of Representatives heard testimony earlier this month about the benefits of passing legislation that lawmakers and experts hope will improve cafeteria menus for students, create new jobs and pump millions of dollars into the Oregon economy. Lawmakers heard testimony from a panel of economists, garden educators, health experts, farmers and school food and food manufacturing professionals.

In the testimony, economists said that the bill, HB 2800, would help sway school foodservice directors to purchase more items locally. "The catalytic effect of trade substitutions [found after the bill is enacted] could provide a healthy return on investment," according to information in a press release. "Advocates of HB 2800 predict $100 million in economic development during the biennium and creation of as many as 477 new jobs in the state of Oregon."

HB 2800 would provide grant money for food and garden-based education. School foodservice departments would also receive money-15 cents for every lunch served and 7 cents for every breakfast served-to purchase Oregon-grown products.

For more information about the bill, visit ecotrust.org/farmtoschool.