Oroho Bills to Grow ‘Farm to School’ Program Signed into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho boosting New Jersey’s “Farm to School” program was signed into law today by Acting Governor Kim Guadagno.
The package of bills will raise the profile of the “Farm to School” program by increasing the program’s presence on the state’s website and foster expansion of the “Farm to School” program to more schools by allowing for private investment into the program and by recognizing successful programs established by schools.
“The ‘Farm to School’ program provides students with healthy, nutritious meals while at the same time giving a boost to the local farmers in our communities who grow these crops,” said Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris). “By better promoting the program and allowing outside investment we can hopefully get even more ‘Jersey Fresh’ produce into cafeterias across the state. Bringing attention to and expanding this valuable program will given more students access to healthy lunch choices and help foster a deeper appreciation and knowledge of New Jersey’s important agriculture industry.”
Signed into law today were:
- A156/S1902 requires the Department of Agriculture to substantially increase the “Farm to School” program’s presence on the Department’s website by prominently placing a hyperlink from the department’s site to the separate and distinct “New Jersey Farm to School” website. The site must now also include the publication of public contracts and agreements for the purchase of fresh foods for school children.
- A2642/S1908 allows the Secretary of Agriculture to solicit and accept private and public money to support the state’s “Farm to School” program.
- A2643/S1907 establishes the “Best in New Jersey ‘Farm to School’ Awards Program,” to annually recognize the outstanding “Farm to School” programs implemented by a school or school district.
Leave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.