For Release Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Capitol View
Commentary by J.L. Schmidt
Statehouse Correspondent
Nebraska Press Association
Lawmakers Advance Farm-to-School Program

      Every so often the Nebraska Legislature advances a bill that makes sense and causes one to wonder what took them so long.
      Take the Nebraska farm-to-school program (LB396) that would provide locally grown and minimally processed food to elementary and secondary school students. Thank state Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth for introducing the measure to the Education Committee and kudos to the 11 proponents who testified before that committee as well as 43 lawmakers who voted for first-round advancement.
      Yes, Nebraska is still an agriculture state, but there are some people who think that food comes from the grocery store and others who could use a healthy, locally sourced meal every now and then.
      I grew up in a farm community and my late father was a butcher. We still had a Future Farmers of America program at our school and I had classmates who were in that program. We rarely ate vegetables from a can, the milkman and the baker delivered fresh to the front door several times a week.
      But times have changed and thatÕs why I applaud BrandtÕs bill to require the state Department of Education to become involved in a program which also could provide students with hands-on learning activities such as farm visits, cooking demonstrations and school gardening and composting programs.

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      The DOE would hire a coordinator to partner with public agencies and nonprofits to build a communication network that links farmers and schools.
      The measure would expand the scale and reach of Nebraska-produced food by providing networking resources for Nebraska schools, local vegetable and fruit growers, and meat and dairy producers to increase the quantity of quality local food purchased by and served in schools.  
      This would be a statewide program even though some would argue that the kids in Lincoln and Omaha need it the most. Providing for the purchase of locally and regionally produced or processed food would improve child nutrition and strengthen local and regional farm economies. 
      Look at these benefits: It would link elementary and secondary public and nonpublic schools in this state with Nebraska farms in a manner that provides schools with fresh and minimally processed food for inclusion in school meals and snacks; encourage children to develop healthy eating habits; and improve the incomes of Nebraska farmers who will enjoy direct access to consumer markets.
      Think of the benefits of fresh air and better understanding as students partake in hands-on learning opportunities such as farm visits, cooking demonstrations, and school gardening and composting programs. Think of adding nutrition and agricultural education to the school curriculum.
      There are even benefits for the lunch ladies who could develop and improve their nutrition plans using locally grown or processed food and receive technical assistance from farmers, processors and distributors regarding the demand for and availability of Nebraska food products.
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      Just donÕt take away one of my school favorites, chili and cinnamon rolls on those cold and snowy Nebraska winter days.
      Brandt said by providing a stable, reliable market for local produce, the farm-to-school program enables Nebraska communities to start recapturing a portion of the 90 percent of school food dollars that are currently leaving the state.
      Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt spoke in support of the measure during first-round debate. She said it would allow Nebraska schools to reduce their dependence on large food distribution companies, help the environment and reduce the carbon footprint of transportation. 
      IÕll call this one win, win and win. 
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J.L. Schmidt has been covering Nebraska government and politics since 1979. He has been a registered Independent for 21 years.