Farm to School Legislation
July 10, 2011 Update
The Farm to School and School Garden policy team and the ODA policy team would like to thank everyone who participated in RD Day at the capital.
The energy that you brought to the capital went a long way in influencing legislators and their votes. At the last minute the fiscal impact of the bill was reduced to $200,000 in order to establish a pilot program that will be the basis of the farm to school and school garden program statewide.
From now until the next legislative session a work group will establish the process for administering the funds and tracking the products purchased by school districts.
The success of the pilot program will be reported to the legislators in 2013 to justify a statewide program.
Additionally, we would also like to thank everyone who called, wrote or met with their legislators. It is that kind of contact that made a huge difference in the final moments of getting the bill passed. Great job everyone!
June 15, 2011 Update
The farm to school and school gardens is still alive but we still need support!! Thanks!
Hello Everyone,
I received a good news from Mel Rader and Marah Hall from Upstream Public Health on the status of HB 2800. This is the bill we focused on during RD Day at the capital earlier this year that will provide funding to schools to purchase locally grown and processed foods. The bill was amended from 2 million to $200,000.
Hi all,
I wanted to let everyone know that HB2800-A passed out of the Full Ways and Means Committee today by unanimous vote with the $200,000 appropriation. There were great statements made by Rep. Tina Kotek and Rep. Jean Cowan on the committee.
The next step for the legislation will be to go to the House Floor for a vote, which will likely take place either this Friday or Monday. After that it will go to the Senate Floor for a vote a few days later, and then head to the Governor’s desk for a signature. The more Representatives and Senators hear from their constituents in the next couple of days the better, encouraging them to support the bill.
Mel
Please contact your legislator’s office and let them know you are a dietitian and support this legislation. Please let your friends and colleagues to contact legislators as well.
Not sure who your legislator is? Click this link and enter your address. http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/
See the full bill here: http://www.leg.state.or.us/committees/exhib2web/2011reg/HAGNR/04-06-2011meetingmaterials/hb2800-5amend04-05-2011.pdf
You can link to talking points below. Some key benefits are:
1) Positive fiscal impact to Oregon’s economy.
2) Creation of jobs.
3) Positive impact on children’s fruit and vegetable consumption both immediate and long term.
If you are unsure or uneasy about contacting legislators please call me 971.506.2433 I will be happy to show you how easy and straight forward this action is and empowering as well. This is not time consuming.
Carrie Peacock MS, RD, LD
ODA State Policy Representative
Portland, OR
971.506.2433
May 17, 2011 Information
The Farm to School Bill (HB2800) is being reviewed by the Ways and Means Committee at the Oregon Capital this group will decide if it goes to the floor for a vote or if it will die in committee.
We need your help to let key legislators know that this is 2 million dollars well spent. The key legislators are listed at the end of this email. Legislators want to hear from you their constituents.
Briefly, Farm to School legislation will allocate 2 million dollars from the Economic Growth Fund (not General Fund) in competitive grants to be given to school districts to purchase locally grown, produced and processed foods as well as funding for school gardens. All school districts are eligible with more weight given to those who have a high percentage of kids receiving free and reduced school meals. See the full bill here.
Some key benefits are:
1) Positive fiscal impact to Oregon’s economy
2) Creation of jobs.
3) Positive impact on children’s fruit and vegetable consumption both immediate and long term.
Link here for talking points and information.
Not sure who your legislator is? Click this link and enter your address. http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/