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November 21, 2006
Contact:  Kristin Ebersole
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House Passes Healthy Farms and Healthy Schools Bill

HARRISBURG – The House has unanimously approved legislation that will promote Pennsylvania agricultural products in the Commonwealth's schools, providing the opportunity to educate students about PA agriculture and the importance of a healthier diet, according to Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York). 

"Our young people are well aware of advertising for snacks that are not always the healthiest option," said Waugh, who chairs the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.  "But there is very little advertising or educating of our young people about healthier snacks such as fruits and vegetables.  This program would ensure that our young students learn the value of a healthy diet as well as about the agricultural community that provides the food they eat and ultimately, help reduce the frequency of childhood obesity." 

Senate Bill 1209, introduced by Waugh and Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D-Philadelphia), would create the Healthy Farms and Healthy Schools initiative, a program to deliver locally-grown farm products to school students. 

The legislation would help students choose healthy alternatives such as fruits and vegetables over snacks that are high in salt, sugar, and fats.  In addition, the program will provide educators with greater resources for educating students about nutrition and the importance of agriculture in Pennsylvania through methods such as field trips to nearby farms. 

"Of course we couldn't make this initiative possible without the many local farmers we have throughout the Commonwealth," said Waugh.  "I am pleased that the program will not only benefit our young students but also our agricultural producers." 

Kitchen became involved in the legislation due to a Healthy Farms and Healthy Schools pilot program in several Philadelphia Schools conducted by Food Trust.  Currently, the program serves 940 students in 12 schools in the Philadelphia area and is continually striving to expand its reach to additional students. 

Senate Bill 1209 is part of the Farmers First Agenda, a comprehensive package of legislation to promote agriculture in Pennsylvania announced by Waugh and Senator Noah Wenger (R-Lancaster) in 2005.  The bill now goes to the Governor.