HB 2800 - Getting local food in school lunches

Did you know that Oregon is one of the few states that doesn't provide any funding for school lunches?

The only funding public schools in Oregon receive for their meal programs comes from the federally-funded National School Lunch Program: about $1.10 per student for lunch.

This minimal funding means that already strapped school districts have to make tough choices about the kinds of food they're able to purchase for students. Often this means highly processed foods purchased through far-flung distribution centers or from the federal commodity program, which distributes surplus agricultural products in order to balance farm markets (a practice that critics claim creates an artificial market that favors industrial-scale agriculture over local family farms).  

The school lunch program is also vitally important in addressing hunger and poverty. 46 percent of Oregon children who eat school food do so as free or reduced price meal recipients. A frighteningly significant portion of these may eat their only meal of the day at school. What students consume at school, then, has a remarkable impact on development, learning and achievement.

Currently there is a bill in the Oregon Legislature that would provide state funding of a few cents for every student's lunch and would tie this money to purchasing Oregon-grown products. The bill would also offer funding for educational programs like school gardens.

HB 2800, the Farm to School bill, would provide a state match of 15 cents per lunch and 7 cents per breakfast, boosting the National School Lunch Program funding and allowing for purchase of fresh, healthy, locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Not only would kids eat better, but Oregon's farmers would also benefit through the ability to sell their produce to schools. And with farmers, our local economies would likewise benefit.

Additionally, the hands-on experience that kids could get from school gardens could be invaluable in deepening their understanding of agriculture, biology, business, and a whole host of subjects.   

At present the Farm to School bill is in the Ways and Means Committee and has had one public hearing. Stay tuned to our Take Action page for updates and action opportunities, and check in on our Farm to School Blog for updates on Oregon Rural Action's efforts here in Eastern Oregon to connect children with healthy, local foods. 

As support continues to grow for this bill, you can find a list of endorsements on Upstream Public Health's website >>

Media Coverage:

• East Oregonian, "Keeping it local: Food champions gather to discuss options" (February 5, 2011)
• Hermiston Herald, "Local Food for Local Schools" (February 9, 2011)
• East Oregonian, Editorial: "State food bill could boost health of local children" (February 9, 2011)
• BlueOregon, "What will you eat? The battle for your dinner plate at the Oregon Legislature" (February 14, 2011)
• Salem Weekly, "Are public school lunches making the grade?" (March 8, 2011)
• KTVZ.com, "Schools Seek State Funding For Fresh Food: Farm To School Program Supporters Rally In Salem" (March 9, 2011)
• Statesman Journal, "Bill links Oregon farms with school lunches" (March 10, 2011)
• Oregon Capital News, "Lawmakers look at funding locally grown food in schools" (March 10, 2011)
• The Daily Astorian, Editorial: "Farm-to-school is smart and pays off" (March 17, 2011)
• The Register-Guard, Editorial: "Eating local in the schools: Plan would help districts buy fresh Oregon products" (March 18, 2011)
• Molalla Pioneer, "Farmers from around the state gather at Oregon's capitol" (March 22, 2011)
• The Mail Tribune, "Oregon bill would boost farm-to-school cafeteria programs" (April 8, 2011)
• Eugene Daily News, "Oregon Farm to School Act Could Bring More Local Food to Eugene Schools" (April 18, 2011)
• Central Oregonian, "Bill proposed to promote use of state-grown food in school meals" (May 5, 2011)
• PR Newswire, "Oregon Farm to School Bill Would Benefit Health Through Job Creation, Study Finds" (May 12, 2011)