Local produce in schools and food bank support

[Serf Life]

“USDA has also terminated the Local Food for Schools program, which provided more than $720,000 last year to Maine schools. Schools used those funds to buy food directly from local farmers to serve in their cafeterias.

The program provided a big boost to the state's farmers, because more than 100,000 students eat at Maine schools every day, said Anna Korsen of the food security non-profit Full Plates Full Potential.

"That has a huge impact on local economies, on small farms, and it's just better for kids," she said. "The food's healthier, they're getting fresh, local foods in the school cafeteria." ”

USDA ending local purchasing programs for Maine food banks and schools

Good Shepherd Food Bank said it also recently learned that USDA will stop delivering about 1 million pounds of food through the Emergency Food Assistance Program to Maine. Those deliveries are on hold for Good Shepherd — and food banks around the country — through at least June.

www.mainepublic.org

Not seeing any news about cutting subsidies to mono culture corn/soy, just for healthy fucking food for our Goddamn kids. Jesus wept

 

[Neill]

Turds

 

[ATH]

A) Wonder how much of that produce was consumed vs dumped? (Ever seen kids eating in a school cafeteria?...produce isn't a hot item)
B) Nothing says schools cannot still purchase locally. That, IMHO, is an ideal model: seed a program get it going, then it needs to sustain itself. It it's a good program keep it going locally. If not, let it die.

 

[rico]

Wow. Throwing kids under the bus so the richest 1% and large cooperations can have another massive tax cut. This administration is pure evil.

 

[Serf Life]

A) Wonder how much of that produce was consumed vs dumped? (Ever seen kids eating in a school cafeteria?...produce isn't a hot item)
B) Nothing says schools cannot still purchase locally. That, IMHO, is an ideal model: seed a program get it going, then it needs to sustain itself. It it's a good program keep it going locally. If not, let it die.

Did you read the article or just the title? It’s not just a bunch of lettuce and raw kale from tiny backyard gardens.
A) very true, some would want koolaid for breakfast but that’s arguably not a healthy way to go. Part probably included blueberries, beef and potatoes as it is Maine
B) if a program is proposed, then put in action with a plan and budget, it needs to have the finances to work through the school year. Changes come with a heads up and subsequent plan. This abrupt change during the school yr is not due to dire need, just critically read.
C) the other food is subsidized, removing a program to support existing farmers and school kids is leaving another program that subsidizes financially and ecologically unsustainable farms. Along with general mills and nestle of course.
D) schools are not a business, kids don’t choose to be poor or food insecure, plus that program was peanuts in funding for the fed!
And the article isn’t just about schools

 

[ATH]

I read the alarmist articles. Kids aren't going to starve because this change. Articles stating or implying such immediately lost all credibility. It's tough to recover from that and know what's actually happening when you have an agenda driven, rather that information driven news source.

They will still have plenty of tax payer provided food, and I assume plenty of produce....that I also guess will largely go unconsumed...not because that's what should happen, but because that's what does happen.

The schools may choose t locally source the food. Locally sourced product in most of the US in March is difficult on a large scale outside of depending on factory greenhouses. I agree it is ideal to locally source food....but that's a decision for local tax payers via funding decisions and school board elections.

 

[rico]

I read the alarmist articles. Kids aren't going to starve because this change. Articles stating or implying such immediately lost all credibility. It's tough to recover from that and know what's actually happening when you have an agenda driven, rather that information driven news source.

In the spirit of credibility could you please direct us to the section of this article which states that kids are going to starve as a result of the termination of this program?

And just because you do not to agree with the information given doesn't mean that it is "agenda driven".

 

[ATH]

In the spirit of credibility could you please direct us to the section of this article which states that kids are going to starve as a result of the termination of this program?

And just because you do not to agree with the information given doesn't mean that it is "agenda driven".

My apologies...the article in the OP is well written and doesn't imply starving children. I ran across several others that weren't so informative.

 

[Serf Life]

I try to not post poorly written or fact-deficit stories or sci articles over the yrs, and I appreciate you taking the time to look it over.

 

[Serf Life]

Pretty sweet system in Japan I came across. Lots of news bites each yr on their avg life span, low obesity and low infant mortality rate etc. but this was new to me.
“
With Shokuiku, most school programs are managed by a ‘food and nutrition teacher’, who also leads on preparing meal menus. This teacher also actively engages with students’ families and shares information around good nutrition. Menus are designed to include a diversity of foods guided by the local seasons.
It is also common for schools to serve international meals once a month to introduce students to food and cultures from around the world. The central government strongly encourages schools to use local products in developing their menus. In 2021, 56% of all food purchases made from participating schools were locally produced.”

Shokuiku – How Japan Leverages School Meals as a ‘Living Textbook’ for Lifelong Healthy Eating · GCNF

In June, communities and schools across Japan will participate in “Shokuiku Month,” a nationwide initiative to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of healthy eating and the role school meals play in shaping children’s eating behavior and supporting local food systems.

gcnf.org