McAuliffe Announces USDA Awards That Will Allow Partnership Between Local Famers and VA Schools - National Council of Teachers of English

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McAuliffe Announces USDA Awards That Will Allow Partnership Between Local Famers and VA Schools


State: Virginia
Level: P12
Analyst: Winstead, Chantal

There is a considerable link between nutritional quality and successful student performance. Virginia, like other states, is looking to improve standards and offer healthier choices.

According to the Office of Office of Governor Terry McAuliffe, “Virginia was one of eight states selected by the USDA to participate in the Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables, as directed by the Agricultural Act of 2014, also known as the Farm Bill. Under the pilot, Virginia school systems will be able to increase locally grown fruits and vegetables in their school meal programs.”

“The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) was awarded a USDA Farm-to-School Conference and Event grant of $20,750 for a statewide Farm-to-School Conference, scheduled for March 2015 . . . [In addition,] Appalachian Sustainable Development in Abingdon was awarded a grant of $99,179 to increase the flow of local produce into three local school systems in southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee. In addition, Pulaski County Public Schools will receive a $43,415 grant to develop a Farm-to-School initiative in their district.”

Read more: http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2014/fns-001214