Farm-to-school bill highlights local procurement, scratch cooking and student engagement

Senate File 15 59, introduced by Senator Jen Gustafson, would allocate state general fund dollars to the commissioner of agriculture for the Farm-to-School and early-care program to increase procurement of Minnesota-grown foods by schools and child-care providers.

Gustafson said the program supports healthy food choices, benefits children’s nutrition outcomes and provides markets for local farmers. Testimony came from producers and a school nutrition director.

Samantha Bartle of Snake River Farm explained her third-generation regenerative operation supplies local schools with ground beef and said the program allows her farm to maintain year-round employment and to provide nutrient-dense whole-animal ground beef to students. Brenda Rudolph, a direct-market farmer near Little Falls, described the logistical coordination required with processors and school food-service staff to schedule processing and deliveries. Lori Landowski, child nutrition director for Foley Public Schools, said farm-to-school grants let her district purchase local beef, fresh produce, whole wheat flour and maple syrup; she described student involvement in planting and harvesting sweet corn and said farm-to-school participation increases student willingness to try new foods.

Chair Putnam laid the bill over for possible inclusion; the committee did not vote to appropriate funds at the hearing.