Fresh food bill passes state Senate

TRENTON — Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho and Assemblyman Parker Space to study ways to get more farm fresh food into New Jersey’s schools was passed by the New Jersey Senate.
“We have a chance to teach kids about where their food comes from while getting plenty of Jersey Fresh produce into our schools,” Senator Oroho said. “This program already exists, but we have to take a closer look at it to see what’s working and what isn’t. We want as many farms and schools participating as possible.”
The legislation establishes to the Farm to School Coordinating Council to examine the New Jersey Farm to School Program and identify any outstanding issues or problems that need to be improved. It will focus on the process by which schools obtain agricultural product and give recommendations on how to increase participation in the program.
The Senate also passed the Assembly companion legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Space.
“Farm to School benefits New Jersey farmers with new customers and a fresh source of revenue,” said Space, a member of the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. “It benefits school children of all ages, expanding their access to, and taste for, nutritious Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables that taste better than anything shipped here by boxcars or trucks.”
The New Jersey Farm to School Program allows New Jersey farmers to provide their products to schools so they can serve students healthy meals and teach them important lessons about nutrition. It also involves school garden programs which gives students a chance to learn about where their food comes from by growing some right at school.
“Even though we’re the Garden State, there are kids in many communities that have never been to a farm,” Senator Oroho said. “This program gives them a chance to see for themselves the work that goes into producing food and gives them healthy meals in the process.”