Page 7 - Nebraska Report January/February 2012

Sen. Tom Brandt Introduces

“Farm to School Program Act”

On January 14, 2021, Senator Tom meat products needed to serve Nebraska sourcing and serving food. Through
Brandt of Plymouth introduced LB children. “This is Economic Develop- classroom instruction, field trips and
396 to expand the scale and reach of ment 101,” Sen. Brandt stated after hands-on gardening, students learn more
Nebraska-produced food by creating a introducing the legislation Thursday where their food comes from and how
state farm to school program adminis- morning. “Nebraska has been missing it is made. “Farm to school is not only
tered by the Department of Education out on a huge economic opportunity to educating a new generation of savvy
with the cooperation of the Department grow our local economies. Here in one consumers and healthy eaters,” Brandt
of the agricultural powerhouses of the said, “it’s a training ground for the farm-
world, we’re hemorrhaging both our ers and market gardeners of tomorrow.”

“…Here in one of the agricultural powerhouses

of the world, we’re hemorrhaging both our
tax dollars and our food dollars from our

communities and school districts by

purchasing out-of-state food to feed our kids.”

tax dollars and our food dollars from “Farm to school benefits our econ-
our communities and school districts omy, our student’s education and health,
by purchasing out-of-state food to feed as well as markets for our farmers.
our kids.” The National School Lunch Farmers and school administrators
Sen. Tom Brandt Program is the largest restaurant chain have unique needs and they often aren’t
in the country and Nebraska should be
aware of the other’s experience. A state-
District 32 aiming to source the bulk of what is coordinated commitment to form the
served in school cafeterias right from relationships and consistently address
of Agriculture. The program will pro- local producers, including beef, chicken, the issues would be immensely helpful,”
vide networking resources for Nebraska dairy, grains, dry beans and in-season Justin Carter of the Center for Rural Af-
schools, local vegetable and fruit grow- vegetables and fruits. The bill aims to fairs and an LR 337 task force member
ers, and meat producers to increase the keep these food dollars and property said. “Farm to school efforts can keep
quantity of quality local food served in tax dollars at home circulating in our children focused on the skills they
our school cafeterias. local economies. With children always need for success while simultaneously
The bill, which grew out of an needing to eat and schools constituting creating an appreciation of Nebraska’s
Agriculture Committee interim study a stable, institutional market, farm to diverse agricultural economy and
task force report, LR 337, authorizes the school is one of the most robust eco- heritage,” Alex McKiernan of Robinette
creation of a “Farm to School Network” nomic development tools a local com- Farms said. “Bringing Nebraska foods
composed of local producers, school munity can employ. into Nebraska schools will open our
officials, cafeteria managers, and other But farm to school programs, children’s minds to the possibilities and
stakeholders that would focus on con- the Plymouth farmer and lawmaker opportunities right in their very own
necting farmers, market gardeners and stressed, are about more than just communities.”
nearby educational institutions to help
supply the fresh foods, and dairy and JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 NE REPORT, P. 7