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LRB-4689/1
CMH:amn
2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE
November 12, 2021 - Introduced by Representatives Shelton, Considine,
Neubauer, Andraca, Baldeh, Behnke, Billings, Conley, Drake, Emerson,
Hebl, Hesselbein, B. Meyers, Milroy, Moore Omokunde, Ohnstad, Pope,
Shankland, Sinicki, Snodgrass, Spreitzer, Stubbs, Subeck and Vruwink,
cosponsored by Senators Pfaff, Agard, Carpenter, Larson, Ringhand, Roys,
L. Taylor and Wirch. Referred to Committee on Rules.
1Relating to: designating October 2021 as Wisconsin Farm to School Month.
2 Whereas, Farm to School programs of varying scale operate in over 370 schools
3across Wisconsin; and
4 Whereas, Farm to School programs connect schools and local farms in order to
5do the following:
6 Serve fresh, healthy food from local food producers to Wisconsin students;
7Bring local food sourcing and agricultural education into school food systems;
8 Provide educational opportunities such as school gardens, cooking lessons,
9and farm field trips;
10 Empower children and their families to make informed food choices;
11 Strengthen the local economy and contribute to vibrant communities;
12Support local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen; and
13 Whereas, Farm to School programs include experiential, student-centered
14education components that can lead to permanent improvements in the diets and
15nutritional habits of children, both in school and at home; and

1Whereas, Farm to School programs facilitate the purchase of local fresh food for
2school meals; and
3 Whereas, Farm to School programs can benefit small and midsized agricultural
4producers and growers by providing access to consistent markets; and
5 Whereas, Farm to School programs can be particularly important for beginning
6or disadvantaged farmers, as schools provide a consistent and secure customer base;
7and
8 Whereas, Farm to School programs can benefit local economies and create
9vibrant communities; and
10 Whereas, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that
11only 7 percent of children consume the recommended amount of vegetables; and
12 Whereas, communities with high levels of poverty have less access to fresh
13fruits and vegetables than higher-income communities; and
14 Whereas, the increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is one of six
15major strategies to prevent and control obesity, according to the Centers for Disease
16Control and Prevention; and
17 Whereas, studies have demonstrated that children in schools with an active
18Farm to School program increase their average consumption of fresh fruits and
19vegetables by one or more servings per day; and
20 Whereas, Farm to School programs are popular among children, can increase
21interest in school meal programs, and can decrease food waste; and
22 Whereas, October 2021 would be an appropriate month to designate as
23“Wisconsin Farm to School Month”; now, therefore, be it

1Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin
2State Legislature designates October 2021 as “Wisconsin Farm to School Month”;
3and, be it further
4Resolved, That the Wisconsin State Legislature does all of the following:
5 Recognizes support for policy improvements to Farm to School initiatives in
6child nutrition programs;
7Encourages schools and local educational agencies to use local farm products
8in meals; and
9Encourages schools, farmers and farm groups, local businesses, nonprofit
10institutions, churches, cities, state governments, and other local groups to raise
11awareness of Farm to School efforts in their communities.
12 (End)
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