A resolution designating October 2019 as "National Farm to School Month".

III 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 403 Designating October 2019 as ‘‘National Farm to School Month’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES OCTOBER 31, 2019 Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. BROWN, and Mr. PERDUE) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating October 2019 as ‘‘National Farm to School Month’’. Whereas farm to school programs of varying scale operate in nearly 43,000 schools across the United States; Whereas farm to school programs connect schools and local farms in order to— (1) serve nutritious meals in school cafeterias; and (2) support local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen; Whereas farm to school programs include experiential edu- cation components that can lead to permanent improve- ments in the diets of children, both in school and at home; Whereas farm to school programs facilitate the purchase of local food for school meals; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Nov 01, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR403.ATS SR403 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 403 ATS Whereas farm to school programs can benefit small and mid- sized agricultural producers by providing access to con- sistent markets; Whereas farm to school programs can be particularly impor- tant for beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers, as schools provide a consistent and secure customer base; Whereas farm to school programs can benefit local economies; Whereas for every $1 spent on local foods in schools, up to an additional $2 circulates in the local economy; Whereas data from the Centers for Disease Control and Pre- vention shows that only 7 percent of children consume the recommended amount of vegetables; Whereas communities with high levels of poverty have less ac- cess to fresh fruits and vegetables than higher income communities; Whereas the increased consumption of fresh fruits and vege- tables is 1 of 6 major strategies to prevent and control obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Whereas studies have demonstrated that children in schools with an active farm to school program increase their av- erage consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by 1 or more servings per day; Whereas farm to school programs— (1) are popular among children; (2) can increase interest in school meal programs; and (3) can decrease food waste; and VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Nov 01, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR403.ATS SR403 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 403 ATS Whereas October 2019 would be an appropriate month to designate as ‘‘National Farm to School Month’’: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) designates October 2019 as ‘‘National Farm 2 to School Month’’; 3 (2) recognizes support for policy improvements 4 to farm to school programs in legislation reauthor- 5 izing child nutrition programs; 6 (3) encourages schools and local educational 7 agencies to use local farm products in meals; and 8 (4) encourages schools, farmers and farm 9 groups, local businesses, nonprofit institutions, 10 churches, cities, State governments, and other local 11 groups to raise awareness of farm to school efforts 12 in their communities. 13 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Nov 01, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR403.ATS SR403 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS