Farm to School Policy and Advocacy Opportunities in Massachusetts
Explore the landscape of Farm to School policy and advocacy at the state level, focusing on Massachusetts. Learn about existing policies, model policies from other states, and opportunities for growth and improvement in promoting farm to school activities. Discover ways to urge state leadership, evaluate participation trends, and enhance farmers' access to legal services.
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Presentation Transcript
Farm to School Policy & Advocacy State Level Opportunities Cris Coffin, American Farmland Trust Noli Taylor, Island Grown Schools Maryanne Reynolds, Esq. Simca Horwitz, Massachusetts Farm to School
Setting the Context Farm to School Policy: Federal: Farm Bill; Child Nutrition Act; Food Safety Modernization Act; etc. State: Procurement policy; state capital and operating budgets; MA Food Policy Council Local: Procurement preference; Boards of Health; School Committees; Agricultural Commissions; School Committees
Existing Massachusetts Policy State Local Procurement Law MDAR: Commonwealth Quality; Farm Viability; Food Safety Improvement Program; etc. MDPH: Prevention & Wellness Trust Fund, Mass in Motion, Community Transformation Grants MA Food Trust Fund: newly established; not yet implemented
Model Policies from Other States Oregon: Grant program to school districts for up to $.15/meal reimbursement for purchasing OR-produced foods, and funds for school garden, food and nutrition education. $1.2 million in 2013. Healthy Schools Act in Washington, DC: Funded by 6% sales tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. Broad scope including school garden grants, teacher training resources, school breakfast program subsidies, local procurement grants, and creation of nutrition standards and physical education standards for city schools.
Model Policies from Other States, Cont. Washington State s Local Farms-Healthy Kids Act: Combines funding for farm to school with other local food promotion programs. $1.5 million passed in 2008. Vermont Farm to School Legislation: Created Farm to School program in the Agency of Agriculture, and a Local Foods Coordinator position in the Agency; grant programs through Agency for local food procurement, teacher trainings, and other farm to school activities, including a mini-grant program of up to $15,000 per school.
Massachusetts Opportunities Urge state leadership to articulate a common mission among state agencies around farm to school Biennially count number of schools and farms that participate in farm to school activities and evaluate trends over time Increase farmers access to affordable legal services What are your ideas?
Looking Ahead Creating a Farm to School Policy Strategy Student Engagement in Farm to School Advocacy The Massachusetts Food Plan USDA s next Farm to School Census (2015)
Resources National Farm to School Network - State Farm to School Legislative Survey: 2002-2013 http://www.farmtoschool.org/resources-main/statelegisativesurvey Massachusetts Food Plan: http://www.mapc.org/mafoodplan Atty. Reynolds Paper: http://www.naag.org/assets/files/pdf/nagtri/public-health-law- papers/Reynolds.Aggregate%20Public%20Benefits%20of%20Farm%20to%20Scho ol.pdf
