According to the USDA, an investment in the health of America's students through farm to school programming is also an investment in the health of local economies . In school year 2013-2014, school districts purchased nearly $800 MILLION in local food from farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food processors and manufacturers. That's a 105 percent increase over the $386 million of local food purchased in the 2011-2012 school year. Forty-six percent of school districts report that they will buy even more local foods in future school years.
In the North Country:
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With the help of a NYS grant, the Adirondack Farm to School Initiative has just hired a Regional Coordinator who will continue to build momentum in Tri-Lakes schools as well as expand the effort to include more schools.
- Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-116) has developed a pilot project in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties that will increase the amount of locally produced food available in school cafeterias.
For more information on what ANCA is doing to increase regional access to local foods, go here.
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