National Farm-to-School Act of 2010 - Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the benefits of farm-to-school programs and the federal role in furthering such programs.
Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide competitive matching grants and technical assistance to schools, local educational agencies (LEAs), institutions of higher education, and certain governmental and nongovernmental entities to implement or expand farm-to-school programs.
Authorizes such grants to come in the form of implementation grants, training and technical assistance grants, or planning grants.
Defines farm-to-school programs as those that connect schools and small- and medium-sized agricultural operations to: (1) serve locally produced, healthy foods in school cafeterias; (2) improve student nutrition; (3) provide agriculture, health, and nutrition education opportunities to students; and (4) support local and regional agriculture and the growth of rural communities.
Directs the Secretary to prepare, and provide Congress with, a list identifying all the programs of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) that with little or no modification can be used to facilitate the participation of small- and medium-sized agricultural operations in farm-to-school programs.
Declares that the value-added agricultural product market development grant program may be accessed by small- and medium-sized agricultural operations and their associations to support farm-to-school programs.
Directs the Secretary, through the USDA Economic Research Service, to conduct a nationwide assessment of, and report to Congress on, the economic impact of farm-to-school programs on small- and medium-sized agricultural operations and rural communities.
Requires the Secretary to establish an Internet-based forum for sharing and exchanging information on farm-to-school programs nationwide.
[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5456 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5456
To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to award
competitive grants to assist eligible entities in implementing or
expanding farm-to-school programs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 28, 2010
Ms. McCollum (for herself, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mr. Latham, Mr.
Ellison, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Kagen, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Putnam, Mr. Michaud,
Mr. Al Green of Texas, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Carnahan, Mr. Moore of Kansas,
Ms. Pingree of Maine, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Shuler, Mr. Kind, Mr.
Loebsack, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Courtney, Mr. Walz, Mr.
Holt, Mr. Perriello, and Mr. Moran of Virginia) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and
Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to award
competitive grants to assist eligible entities in implementing or
expanding farm-to-school programs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Farm-to-School Act of
2010''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Farm-to-school programs facilitate the purchase of
local food for school meals and offer a spectrum of both
immediate and long-term benefits to child health, small- and
medium-sized agricultural producer income, and community
economic development.
(2) Farm-to-school programs of varying scale are
operational in over 8,900 schools in 42 States around the
country.
(3) Though successful models of farm-to-school programs
exist around the country, many schools and small- and medium-
sized agricultural producers that would like to implement a
farm-to-school program or scale up their existing program face
barriers in the form of program planning, implementation, and
technical capacity.
(4) One-third of children in the United States are now
obese or overweight. Over the past 3 decades, obesity rates
have quadrupled in 6 to 11 year olds and tripled in 12 to 19
year olds, according to the most recent data from the Centers
for Disease Control's National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey.
(5) Childhood obesity rates are disproportionately high
among low-income and minority populations. Among Mexican-
American children and adolescents ages 2 to 19, 38 percent are
obese or overweight. For African-American children, this rate
is close to 35 percent. A study of American Indian second-
graders in Arizona, New Mexico and South Dakota found that over
20 percent of the children were overweight and 29 percent were
obese.
(6) Communities with high levels of poverty have less
access to fresh fruits and vegetables than higher-income
communities. A study of nearly 700 neighborhoods in the United
States found that low-income areas have access to half as many
supermarkets as the wealthiest areas.
(7) Increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is
one of six major strategies to prevent and control obesity,
according to the Centers for Disease Control.
(8) According to survey data from the Department of
Agriculture, only 2 percent of children nationwide meet the
daily food servings as recommended by the Food Guide Pyramid.
(9) The national school lunch program established under the
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et
seq.) has potential to provide fresher and healthier foods to
millions of children in the United States. Approximately 60
percent of students in the United States are eligible to
receive free or reduced-price school lunches. In fiscal year
2008, 30.9 million children consumed free or reduced-price
school lunch on a daily basis.
(10) Farm-to-school programs can increase children's daily
intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Farm-to-school programs
in Oregon and California have demonstrated that children in
schools with an active farm-to-school program increased their
average consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by one or
more servings per day.
(11) Farm-to-school programs are popular among children and
can increase school lunch participation. Studies of 9 farm-to-
school programs found that schools that participate in a farm-
to-school program have seen an increase in student
participation in the school meal program ranging from 3 percent
to 16 percent for all meals.
(12) Farm-to-school programs can benefit small- and mid-
sized agricultural producers by providing access to consistent
markets and the planning and organization skills to expand to
other institutional customers.
(13) Farm-to-school programs can benefit local economies. A
2009 study of farm-to-school programs in Oregon found that for
every one dollar invested in farm-to-school programs, the yield
in economic activity in the local community was $1.87.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Farm-to-school program.--The term ``farm-to-school
program'' means a program that connects schools and small- and
medium-sized agricultural producers for the purposes of--
(A) serving locally produced, healthy foods
(including fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat,
fish, and poultry, and grains) in school cafeterias;
(B) improving student nutrition;
(C) providing educational opportunities for
students in the areas of nutrition, health, and local
agricultural food production; and
(D) supporting local and regional agriculture and
the growth of rural communities.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture unless otherwise specified.
SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) farm-to-school programs should be recognized as a
proven effective strategy that can provide immediate and long-
term benefits to child health, small- and medium-sized
agricultural producer income, and community economic
development; and
(2) the Federal Government should partner in assisting
schools and local educational agencies with planning, technical
assistance, and implementation of farm-to-school programs.
SEC. 5. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are to--
(1) establish the Federal Government as a partner in
assisting communities with planning, technical assistance, and
implementation of efficient, cost-effective farm-to-school
programs; and
(2) facilitate a sustained commitment to farm-to-school
procurement in communities by linking local small- and medium-
sized agricultural producers, schools and institutions, State,
local and tribal government agencies, institutions of higher
education, parents, community and tribal organizations, and
other community stakeholders
TITLE I--COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM FOR FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
SEC. 101. COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM FOR FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAMS.
(a) Amendment.--The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act
(42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 19, the
following:
``SEC. 19A. FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--From the amounts appropriated under subsection
(l), the Secretary shall provide assistance, through competitive
matching grants and technical assistance, to eligible entities to
implement or expand farm-to-school programs, and for related
activities.
``(b) Eligible Entity.--For purposes of this section, the term
`eligible entity' means--
``(1) a school, including a charter school;
``(2) a local educational agency;
``(3) an institution of higher education;
``(4) a nongovernmental, community-based, or tribal
organization;
``(5) a State, regional, local, or tribal government
agency; or
``(6) a partnership consisting of 2 or more of the entities
described in paragraphs (1) through (5).
``(c) Regional Balance.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary, to the maximum extent practicable, shall ensure--
``(1) geographical diversity; and
``(2) participation of urban, rural, and tribal
communities.
``(d) Types of Grants.--A grant under this section may be--
``(1) an implementation grant to support the initial costs
of implementing a new, or expanding an existing, farm-to-school
program;
``(2) a training and technical assistance grant to support
the training and access to resources and information necessary
to conduct a successful farm-to-school program; or
``(3) a planning grant to support the cost of conducting
research, identifying resources, and developing partnerships to
design a successful and sustainable farm-to-school program.
``(e) Grant Amounts.--A grant awarded under this section to an
eligible entity shall not exceed--
``(1) in the case of an implementation or training and
technical assistance grant, $100,000; and
``(2) in the case of a planning grant, $25,000.
``(f) Grant Duration.--A grant under this section shall be awarded
for a period--
``(1) in the case of an implementation or training and
technical assistance grant, not to exceed 2 years; and
``(2) in the case of a planning grant, not to exceed 1
year.
``(g) Cost Sharing.--
``(1) In general.--The amount of a grant awarded under this
section shall not exceed 75 percent of the cost of the
activities carried out under the grant.
``(2) Non-federal support.--An eligible entity receiving a
grant under this section shall provide support of at least 25
percent of the cost of the activities carried out under the
grant in cash or in-kind (including, facilities, equipment,
training, or services provided by a State, local, and tribal
governments, institutions of higher education, and private
sources).
``(h) Use of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--An eligible entity receiving a grant
under this section shall use such funds to implement or expand,
make plans to implement or expand, or provide training and
technical assistance to an eligible entity in accordance with
paragraph (2) for the purposes of implementing or expanding, a
farm-to-school program, by--
``(A) establishing effective relationships among--
``(i) schools and local educational
agencies;
``(ii) distributors; and
``(iii) small- and medium-sized
agricultural operations or groups of such
operations;
``(B) facilitating the development of enterprises
to minimally process, as defined by the Secretary,
distribute, aggregate, store, and deliver locally or
regionally produced agricultural food products to
support community development and the income of small-
and medium-sized agricultural operations;
``(C) acquiring appropriate equipment to implement
or expand a farm-to-school program;
``(D) developing school fruit and vegetable gardens
for educational and food production purposes; and
``(E) supporting training and education activities,
including supporting the planning of experiential
nutrition education activities and curriculum that--
``(i) promote healthy food education in the
school curriculum; and
``(ii) incorporate the participation of
school children in farm- and garden-based
agricultural education activities.
``(2) Technical assistance grants.--
``(A) In general.--In the case of an eligible
entity receiving a training and technical assistance
grant under this section, the entity shall use the
funds available under the grant to provide training and
technical assistance to an eligible entity that desires
to implement or expand a farm-to-school program.
``(B) Training and technical assistance
activities.--The training and technical assistance
shall--
``(i) be provided under such terms as the
Secretary may require; and
``(ii) include supporting the training and
access to resources and information necessary
for the implementation of a successful farm-to-
school program.
``(i) Program Proposals.--
``(1) Submission.--An eligible entity desiring to receive a
grant under this section shall submit a proposal at such time,
in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may require.
``(2) Review panels.--The Secretary shall form review
panels to evaluate proposals submitted pursuant to paragraph
(1) based on the criteria described in paragraph (3). Such
review panels shall include--
``(A) representatives of schools and eligible
institutions;
``(B) registered dietitians;
``(C) small- and medium-sized agricultural
operations, including socially disadvantaged small- and
medium-sized agricultural operations;
``(D) public agencies;
``(E) nongovernmental and community-based
organizations with expertise in local food systems and
farm-to-school programs; and
``(F) other appropriate parties as determined by
the Secretary.
``(3) Proposal review criteria.--A proposal shall be
evaluated based on relevant criteria determined by the
Secretary, and shall include--
``(A) service to schools and institutions with a
high proportion of children who are eligible for free
and reduced price lunches;
``(B) benefit to local small- and medium-sized
agricultural operations, including socially
disadvantaged agricultural operations;
``(C) implementation or expansion of farm-to-school
programs that can be sustained without Federal funds
after the end of the grant period;
``(D) incorporation of experiential nutrition
education;
``(E) demonstration of collaboration between
schools or institutions, nongovernmental and community-
based organizations, agricultural operations and groups
of such operations, and other community partners;
``(F) evaluation plans that incorporate stakeholder
representation; and
``(G) such other related criteria as the Secretary
may determine relevant.
``(j) Evaluation.--Any eligible entity receiving a grant under this
section shall agree to cooperate in an evaluation carried out by the
Secretary.
``(k) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to authorize grants under this section for religious worship,
instruction, or proselytization, or for construction of a facility for
religious worship, instruction, or proselytization.
``(l) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for
fiscal year 2011 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years, to remain
available until expended.
``(m) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
``(1) Charter school.--The term `charter school' has the
meaning give the term in section 5210 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7221i).
``(2) Elementary school; secondary school; local
educational agency.--The terms `elementary school', `secondary
school', and `local educational agency' have the meanings given
such terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
``(3) Farm-to-school program.--The term `farm-to-school
program' means a program that connects schools and small- and
medium-sized agricultural operations for the purposes of--
``(A) serving locally produced, healthy foods
(including fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy; meat,
fish, and poultry, and grains) in school cafeterias;
``(B) improving student nutrition;
``(C) providing agriculture, health, and nutrition
education opportunities to students; and
``(D) supporting local and regional agriculture and
the growth of rural communities.
``(4) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given such
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
``(5) Local food.--The term `local food' has the meaning
given the term `locally or regionally produced agricultural
food products' in section 310B(g) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(g)).
``(6) School.--The term `school' means a public elementary
school or public secondary school.
``(7) Tribal organization.--The term `tribal organization'
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 18 of the Richard B. National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769) is amended by repealing subsection
(g).
TITLE II--PARTICIPATION OF SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCERS IN FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
SEC. 201. IDENTIFICATION OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS
AVAILABLE TO PROMOTE PARTICIPATION OF SMALL- AND MEDIUM-
SIZED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS IN FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAMS.
(a) Identification of Available Programs.--The Secretary shall
prepare a list identifying all programs of the Department of
Agriculture that, without modification or with only minor modification,
can be used to facilitate the participation of small- and medium-sized
agricultural operations in farm-to-school programs.
(b) Covered Programs.--Among the Department of Agriculture programs
to be considered for inclusion on the list required by subsection (a),
the Secretary shall specifically evaluate the following:
(1) The rural development programs of the Department of
Agriculture.
(2) The loan and loan guarantee programs carried out under
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921
et seq.).
(3) The Value-Added Agricultural Product Market Development
Grant Program carried out under section 231 of the Agricultural
Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law
106-224).
(4) The Farmers' Market Promotion Program carried out under
section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of
1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005).
(5) The Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program carried
out under section 204(b) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of
1946 (7 U.S.C. 1623(b)).
(6) The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program carried out
under section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of
2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 108-465).
(7) The Community Food Projects Program carried out under
section 25 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2034).
(c) Additional Determination Regarding Value-Added Agricultural
Product Market Development Grant Program.--The Value-Added Agricultural
Product Market Development Grant Program may be accessed by small- and
medium-sized agricultural operations and associations of such
operations to support farm-to-school programs. The Secretary shall
promptly clarify the notification of solicitation of applications under
the program to reflect this determination.
(d) Submission of Results.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit
to Congress the list prepared under subsection (a).
SEC. 202. ASSESSMENT OF ECONOMIC IMPACT OF FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAMS ON
SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS AND RURAL
COMMUNITIES.
(a) Assessment Required.--The Secretary, acting through the
Economic Research Service of the Department of Agriculture, shall
conduct a nationwide assessment of the economic impact of farm-to-
school programs on small- and medium-sized agricultural operations and
rural communities.
(b) Content of Assessment.--In conducting the assessment, the
Secretary shall--
(1) examine the role that farm-to-school programs can play
in establishing profitable new markets for small- and medium-
sized agricultural operations and facilitating their access to
new institutional or direct markets and value-added processing
opportunities;
(2) identify barriers that impede the establishment of such
profitable markets for small- and medium-sized agricultural
operations; and
(3) identify strategies for mitigating such barriers.
(c) Submission of Results.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress the
results of the assessment required by this section.
TITLE III--INTERAGENCY COOPERATION
SEC. 301. INTERAGENCY FARM-TO-SCHOOL EXCHANGE.
The Secretary of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Secretary
of Education and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall
establish an Internet-based forum for the sharing and exchange of
information on farm-to-school programs nationwide. Information
available in this Exchange shall include--
(1) an inventory of all projects funded under the
competitive grant program in title II;
(2) an inventory of existing farm-to-school programs in the
United States, which lists--
(A) the agricultural producers and schools
participating in each program;
(B) the number of students served by each program;
(C) the annual operating cost of each program; and
(D) the main contact for the program.
(3) information on best practices in farm-to-school
programs nationwide; and
(4) additional information as determined by the Secretary
of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Secretary of
Education and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to House Education and Labor
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to House Agriculture
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