The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service signed a cooperative agreement with Hawaii for more than $600,000 to increase the purchase of nutritious local foods for school meals.
The Hawaii State Department of Education will buy and distribute food through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, according to a Jan. 12 news release.
“This cooperative agreement supporting Hawaii schools is another example of how USDA is working to build a more resilient food system rooted in local and regional production,” Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt, said in the release.
The Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program gives states a chance to strengthen ties between local farmers, ranchers, food businesses and schools, the release reported. Students are given access to nutritious foods unique to the area they live in, which builds a stronger connection with the local community, Moffit said.
Strengthening this relationship between local producers and schools ensures children get ready access to nutritious foods at school in a long-term strategy. This is a win-win for American agriculture and child health, Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Stacy Dean said, according to the release.
“Through this program and many other efforts to support the school meal programs, USDA is committed to giving schools the tools they need to set children up to learn, grow and thrive,” Dean said, according to the release.
