TWO EAST COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS WIN "FARM TO SCHOOL" GRANTS

November 30, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Julian Union School District and Lemon Grove School District are among six California school districts and a community organization that have collectively won nearly $336,000 in U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm to School Grants.

The funding is designed to help students understand the food they eat in school cafeterias often comes from local farms.  

Julian Union School District was awarded $32,871 to continue programs that support farm to school planning and its school wellness policy that includes sustaining a school garden.

Lemon Grove School District won a $43,920 award to support existing policies and programs on healthy nutrition and develop it into a farm to school program.

Community Alliance with Family Farmers (Davis, Yolo County) was awarded $100,000 to expand the Sonoma County Farm to School Program by educating students about healthy eating, nutrition, and local agriculture.

Ventura Unified School District (Ventura, Ventura County) was awarded $90,289 to start a countywide program to increase the quantity and quality of fresh, seasonal, locally grown foods eaten by students.

Chico Unified School District (Chico, Butte County) was awarded $44,555 to expand and integrate its various farm to school resources, including hiring a coordinator and providing professional development and training for teachers.

Lynwood Unified School District (Lynwood, Los Angeles County) was awarded $24,294 to plan a farm to school program.

State Superintendent  of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson congratulated the winners.  Torlakson’s Team California for Healthy Kids initiative urges students to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables that are locally procured. For more information on the federal grant, please visit the USDA Farm to School Grants Web page.