Published: October 12, 2008 08:03 pm      

Farm-to-School initiative shows great promise

Thank you for your coverage of the Jane Lawton Farm-to-School initiative and the Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Program (Sept. 22-26). This exciting new program, signed into law by Gov. (Martin) O’Malley this year, is designed to bring more Maryland-grown products to school lunches and to help educate students about the source of their food, how it is produced, and the benefits of a healthy diet.

Statewide, the program has been an overwhelming success and shows great promise for the future. Almost every county in Maryland is participating this year as are more than 30 different Maryland farms. It is a true example of a successful federal, state, local and private collaboration that is working.

Just think of the tremendous impact on our families and our communities if even one local item is included in school lunches for each of the 950,000 Maryland public school students. Farmers would have additional income, thereby strengthening the local economy and keeping farm land open and productive. Our children would receive the nutritional benefits of fresh, local products as well as the knowledge of why this matters. And, the financial, environmental, and nutritional costs of transporting food would decrease.

Including local food in school lunches and related information in the classroom is good for our students and good for Maryland. We encourage students and parents to continue asking for fresh, local produce in school lunches. For more information about the program, visit: www.marylandfarmtoschool.org.

Roger Richardson

Secretary, Maryland

Department of Agriculture

Nancy S. Grasmick

State Superintendent of Schools