Farm To School Program Benefits Both Ag Producers and Students

The USDA Farm To School program has been providing opportunities for local foods to be used in school meal programs. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack shares some highlights of the first-ever Farm to School census for the school year of 2011 to 2012.

Vilsack: "And now we know this census indicating of the 13,000 school districts that were surveyed, 8,800 responded and of that number 43 percent -- a little over 3300 -- are engaged in Farm To School. Another 13 percent are anxious to start Farm To School Programs. Nearly 21 million students are in school districts that are currently purchasing items from local or regional producers and they are purchasing items to the tune of about $354 million in product. So this is a expanding opportunity here for increasing sales domestically."

Not only does it help increase local economies, but Vilsack says also helps connect students to agriculture and where their food comes from.

Vilsack: "It expands opportunity for items for youngsters might not normally consume. Youngsters will learn a little bit more about what is grown in their area. It will connect them more closely to agriculture. It also is probably encouraging many school districts of to consider the establishment of school gardens to help reinforce the message of where food comes and how difficult it is sometimes to raise food."