Board backs letter to support Farm to School USDA grant application

The Utah State Board of Education voted to provide a letter of support for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s application for a 2025 fiscal-year Farm to School grant operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Kim Loveland, director of Child Nutrition Programs, told the board the department has participated in farm-to-school initiatives for about 10 years and said the grants help bring local food into schools and support small and minority producers. "We have had really good success with our local food in schools, funding that was provided us with the USDA with the local beef," Loveland said, adding the program has been "life changing for the small and minority business owners."

Board members asked clarifying questions about procurement and how producers would participate. Staff explained that state purchasing contracts used for a recent beef initiative reduced procurement burdens for local school food authorities and allowed producers to scale up production. Staff also said a prior Farm to School grant had funded a position at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food and that position’s absence would reduce capacity without further grant support.

Member Boggess spoke against the motion on grounds of autonomy, saying the board would acquiesce to more federal regulation by supporting grant participation. Supporters said the grant brings additional resources so schools would not have to choose between serving more students and buying higher-cost local products.

The motion passed with 11 votes in favor and three opposed (Members Green, Brenton and Boggess). Staff said the department will provide an interagency agreement and other supporting materials to board members on request.