Statewide farm-to-school program adopted

A Nebraska farm-to-school program will provide locally grown and minimally processed food to elementary and secondary school students under a proposal passed by lawmakers May 20.

LB396, introduced by Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, requires the state Department of Education to hire a coordinator to administer the program, which also may provide students with hands-on learning activities, such as farm visits, cooking demonstrations and school gardening and composting programs.

The coordinator will partner with public agencies and nonprofits on a public engagement campaign and build a communication network that links farmers and schools.

They also will encourage schools to develop and improve their nutrition plans using locally grown or processed food and provide technical assistance to school food services staff, farmers, processors and distributors regarding the demand for and availability of Nebraska food products.

The bill passed on a 48-0 vote.