In northern Michigan, a pilot program designed to provide fresh, locally grown produce to students while investing in state agriculture is expanding.
The program, called 10 cents a Meal for School Kids and Farms, provides schools with up to 10 cents per meal to purchase and serve Michigan fruits and vegetables to an estimated 43,000 students.
$250,000 has been appropriated to fund the program, which was included in the State School Aid budget.
In the original pilot program, three school districts spent a combined $150,000 on local produce over two years. The expanded program now includes 16 school districts in 8 counties – including several northern Michigan schools.
The fruit and vegetables are served as part of the Child Nutrition Programs that include school breakfast, lunch, and after school snacks.
The State School Superintendent said the timing was right for this program, as many schools are looking to add more fruit and vegetables to their lunches and local farmers are interested in providing those to their local schools.
Source: minews26.com
