March 2008

The recently enacted Fiscal Year 2008 Agriculture Appropriations Act directed the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to work with School Meal Program administrators and local food advocates to identify opportunities for growth in local procurement, and provide Congress a report on these efforts.  In response to this request and their ongoing Farm to School efforts, USDA recently held a “Farm to School” session at the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference sponsored by the Food Research and Action Center and America’s Second Harvest.  The session, which was held on March 2, 2008, was designed to gather information on best practices in farm to school initiatives and to identify barriers or difficulties in creating and/or maintaining such initiatives.

            The session provided invaluable information on farm to school experiences, and USDA would like to offer others the opportunity to contribute as well.  They are actively seeking feedback. The agenda from the March 2nd session outlines a number of specific topics, though this is by no means an exhaustive list.  Both phone and e-mail contact information are included at the bottom of the agenda.  You are strongly encouraged to share your best practices on this important issue. 

            Please click here to access the agenda.