Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Janey Thornton was in Boise this morning to salute Idaho’s efforts to support Farm to School programs, a key component of USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative to help children across America get a better understanding of where their food comes from and how it gets to their plates in the school cafeteria.
Four schools and districts in Idaho were recently selected to pilot Farm to School programs in the state through a federal grant. The program is run by the Idaho State Departments of Education and Agriculture.
“It’s vital that we provide our children with nutritious meals so they are able to learn and thrive,” said Thornton. “And incorporating local produce into school menus is a wonderful way to ensure that they have access to the fruits and vegetables that are such an important part of a healthy diet.”
On Tuesday, the Deputy Under Secretary joined staff from the Child Nutrition Programs at the State Department of Education to eat lunch with students at Boise’s Whitney Elementary School, which features a Healthful Choice Bar with a variety of locally grown fruits, vegetables and grain products.
Idaho implemented new, more nutritious standards for all school meals in Fall 2009.
~ Melissa M.
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