Farm to School Act of 2015 introduced in Congress

[Wes King]

Hi all,

I wanted to share with you the exciting news that the Farm to School Act of 2015 was introduced in Congress earlier this week and share with you some opportunities and tools that you can take advantage of to support Farm to School.

The Farm to School Act of 2015 builds on the success of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 by proposing an increase in funding from $5 million to $15 million for the USDA Farm to School Grant Program. The bill would also ensure that the grant program fully includes preschools, summer food service sites, after school programs, and tribal schools and producers while improving program participation from beginning, veteran and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The Farm to School Act of 2015 will be considered by Congress as part of the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act (CNR). This bipartisan effort is being led by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Representatives Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Marcia Fudge (D-OH). Learn more at the following website. 

Here are some ways to support this bill:

• Organizational sign-on - Add your organization to this organizational sign-on letter showing your support. Feel free to share this link with your networks.
• Citizen sign-on - Even if your organization is not able to sign-on, you can still add your name to the citizen sign-on letter. Feel free to share this citizen sign-on widely. 
• Communications resources - Attached are several graphics and a Word doc with language you can use on social media and in your newsletter or website. 
• NFSN webinar - register for NFSN's next CNR webinar on Tuesday, March 10 at 1pm ET. They will discuss the CNR timeline, walk through the bill details, and talk about generating additional support from your members of Congress.

Sincerely,
--

Wes King

Executive Director

Illinois Stewardship Alliance
"Local Food Matters"

217-528-1563

www.ilstewards.org

 
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