New York agriculture and education organizations, including the state chapter of the School Nutrition Association, are supporting a plan to have the state reimburse its school districts for buying locally sourced food.
The proposed pilot program would have the state give districts buying 10 percent of locally sourced food an extra nickel per meal, and those who buy 20 percent an extra 25 cents, reports the Democrat & Chronicle.
The program, which could be included in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2016-17 state budget, would help fight childhood obesity and boost sales for local food producers, the New York SNA chapter said in a summary document, according to the website.
“This is a win-win for the state’s agricultural sector and the health of our students,” the NYSNA wrote. “Investing in this program will increase access to healthy food, which in turn will have a positive effect on students’ overall well-being.”
Read the full story via the Democrat & Chronicle.