Senate File 452 - Introduced
SENATE FILE
BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
(SUCCESSOR TO SF 209)
Passed Senate, Date Passed House, Date
Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays
Approved
A BILL FOR
1 An Act providing for an Iowa farm=to=school program and providing
2 an appropriation.
3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
4 TLSB 2584SV 82
5 da/es/88
PAG LIN
1 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 190A.1 DEFINITIONS.
1 2 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise
1 3 requires:
1 4 1. "Food" means an agricultural commodity or product,
1 5 whether raw or processed, including a commodity that is
1 6 produced and marketed in this state for human consumption.
1 7 2. "Program" means the Iowa farm=to=school program as
1 8 established in section 190A.2.
1 9 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 190A.2 ESTABLISHMENT AND
1 10 ADMINISTRATION.
1 11 An Iowa farm=to=school program is established to be
1 12 administered on a statewide basis by the department of
1 13 agriculture and land stewardship.
1 14 Sec. 3. NEW SECTION. 190A.3 PURPOSE.
1 15 The Iowa farm=to=school program shall provide for the
1 16 purchase of locally and regionally produced or processed food
1 17 in order to improve child nutrition and strengthen local and
1 18 regional farm economies.
1 19 1. The program shall link elementary and secondary public
1 20 and nonpublic schools in this state with Iowa farms in a
1 21 manner that provides schools with fresh and minimally
1 22 processed food for inclusion in school meals and snacks,
1 23 encourages children to develop healthy eating habits, and
1 24 improves the incomes of Iowa farmers who will enjoy direct
1 25 access to consumer markets.
1 26 2. The farm=to=school program may include activities that
1 27 provide students with hands=on learning opportunities, such as
1 28 farm visits, cooking demonstrations, and school gardening and
1 29 composting programs, and that integrate nutrition and
1 30 agricultural education into the school curricula.
1 31 Sec. 4. NEW SECTION. 190A.4 ADMINISTRATION.
1 32 The department shall employ a coordinator to administer the
1 33 program, including by doing all of the following:
1 34 1. Identifying and promoting the critical ways for local
1 35 communities to participate in the program and advise
2 1 communities on needed strategies, plans, and action to
2 2 administer the program.
2 3 2. Establishing a partnership with public agencies and
2 4 nonprofit organizations to implement a public engagement
2 5 campaign and establish a structure to facilitate communication
2 6 between farmers and schools.
2 7 3. Providing leadership at the state level to encourage
2 8 schools to develop and improve school nutrition plans using
2 9 locally or regionally grown or locally or regionally processed
2 10 food.
2 11 4. Conducting workshops and training sessions and
2 12 providing technical assistance to school food services,
2 13 farmers, processors, and distributors regarding the demand for
2 14 and the availability of Iowa food products, and assisting
2 15 persons seeking to participate in the program.
2 16 5. Providing information regarding the Iowa farm=to=school
2 17 program in an electronic format on the department's internet
2 18 website. Each department cooperating in administering the
2 19 program shall maintain a direct link to the information on
2 20 that department's internet website.
2 21 6. Seeking financial or in=kind contributions from persons
2 22 to support the program.
2 23 Sec. 5. NEW SECTION. 190A.5 DEPARTMENTAL COOPERATION.
2 24 The department of education, the department of human
2 25 services, and the department of public health shall cooperate
2 26 with the department of agriculture and land stewardship in
2 27 administering the Iowa farm=to=school program, including by
2 28 providing for professional consultation and staff support.
2 29 Sec. 6. APPROPRIATIONS. There is appropriated from the
2 30 general fund of the state to the department of agriculture and
2 31 land stewardship for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007,
2 32 and ending June 30, 2008, the following amount, or so much
2 33 thereof as is necessary, to be used for the purposes
2 34 designated:
2 35 For purposes of supporting an Iowa farm=to=school program
3 1 as provided in this Act, including salaries, support,
3 2 maintenance, miscellaneous purposes, and for not more than the
3 3 following full=time equivalent positions:
3 4 .................................................. $ 99,747
3 5 ............................................... FTEs 2.00
3 6 EXPLANATION
3 7 This bill establishes an Iowa farm=to=school program
3 8 administered on a statewide basis by the department of
3 9 agriculture and land stewardship. The purpose of the program
3 10 is to provide for the purchase of locally and regionally
3 11 produced or processed food in order to improve child nutrition
3 12 in the public and nonpublic schools and strengthen local and
3 13 regional farm economies. The department is required to
3 14 appoint a coordinator in order to administer the program. The
3 15 bill requires that the department of education, department of
3 16 human services, and the department of public health cooperate
3 17 in administering the program. The bill makes an appropriation
3 18 from the state general fund to support the program.
3 19 LSB 2584SV 82
3 20 da:rj/es/88