Extension’s Role in Farm to School Advocacy: Current legislation, models of success, and strategies for addressing emerging issues April 2016 Carol Smathers, MS, MPH. Field Specialist Ohio State University Extension Natalie Talis, MPH, Policy Associate National Farm to School Network

Carol Smathers, MS, MPH Ohio State University Family and Consumer Sciences Assistant Professor Field Specialist in Youth Nutrition and Wellness Farm to School State Lead Natalie Talis, MPH National Farm to School Network Policy Associate PRESENTERS

Ta Farm to School Policy and Cooperative Extension 1.Farm to School aligns well with Extension program areas 2.Extension professionals can promote Farm to School policies and legislation in their efforts to increase the amount and variety of local foods purchased by and served in schools. 3. Farm to School efforts can help Extension professionals meet their own goals while benefiting the community.

Three C’s of Farm to School Community Procurement Cafeteria Classroom and Gardens mm

A brief history of Farm to School mm

Farm to School impacts Meal participation Awareness Morale Market opportunities mm How do these impacts help Extension professionals meet their program goals?

How Farm to School is organized in each state NFSN State Lead Regional teams Lead organizations USDA mm

vv Extension’s role Extension as State Lead/Lead organization Notable examples Other roles for Extension (advisories, etc.)

Environment change and policy interventions are viewed to be the most effective strategies for creating improvements nutritious eating on a large scale.

Federal, State, and Local Farm to School Legislation

Federal Child Nutrition Act Food Safety Modernization Safety Act Farm Bill Dietary Guidelines

Federal Policy related to Farm to School

Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) Basics Began in 1946 – kids and farmers benefit Current bill (Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act) expired Sep Includes school lunch, breakfast, WIC, summer, afterschool, and Farm to School grant program.

National Farm to School Network - Nourishing Kids and Communities Providing flexibility to local school districts to include preschools, summer food service program sites, and after school programs in the USDA Farm to School Grant program; Increasing the availability of the USDA Farm to School Grant Program to better meet high demand; Enhancing access among tribal schools to farm-fresh and traditional foods, especially from tribal producers; and Improving farm to school participation from beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

Where are we now? Senate Agriculture Committee is working out the budget House Ed and Workforce Committee is working on a partisan bill Will we see movement before the end of June? Advocates pushing for passage in 2016

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Biggest food safety reform bill in over 70 years Focus on prevention rather than treatment Preventive controls Imported food safety Recall authority Improved state and local trainings

FSMA Controversy Underfunded by hundreds of millions Multiple rounds of rule-making How does this impact farm to school? MISINFORMATION Many small farms will be exempt Processors and larger scale operations face the biggest changes Food hubs will likely be impacted Food Safety Act Challenges

Farm Bill Started in 1933 and renewed every 5-6 years. Last bill passed in 2014 Covers both food and farm policy (and much more) in 12 titles: commodity, conservation, trade, nutrition, credit, rural development, research, forestry, energy, horticulture, crop insurance, and miscellaneous $956 billion over 10 years (predicted cost) 80% from nutrition, 14% crop subsidies and insurance

Farm Bill cont. Where does farm to school fit in? Geographic preference (2008) 8 State unprocessed fruit and vegetable pilot (2014) Food and agriculture service learning program (2014) Other community food project funds, rural development, etc

A brief history Where is the controversy? Legislating nutrition Farm to school is a key action

State Three main categories: funding for purchases of local foods funding for Farm to School programs and staff Regulatory changes 46 states have proposed farm to school legislation and 40 states + DC have passed bills

Case Study TEXAS Estab’d F2S coordinating Task Force Wrote report and recommendations Use State Admin Funds for Child Nutrition Prg Local avail. planning calendar (DoD Fresh) Source: Resources/F2S-Survey-2014.pdf

Case Study Oregon 2007 ODA created a F2S position (no legislation) 2008 passed bill that created F2S at OR Dept of Educ. Impact studies Promotion Advocacy Dissemination Source: Resources/F2S-Survey-2014.pdf

Case Study Alaska 4-year pilot led to funding for a permanent position Comprehensive strategic plan Coordination oversees implementation Also farm and school tours Grant programs Develops recipes through Extension Source: Resources/F2S-Survey-2014.pdf

Local County/city food action plans School wellness policies School district procurement policies Tax credits, zoning

F2S Policy Trends School garden bills Food hub bills Statewide food system departments Comprehensive legislation Example: Healthy Tots Act in Wash. DC Garden grants, education, ↑ CACFP reimbursement F2P

F2S Policy Trends, cont’d Coordinating F2S efforts across multiple state agencies Farm tours for schools School tours for farms

F2S Policy Trends, cont’d Statewide F2S legislation F2S programs with authority to form task force, hire coordinator, create funding options (MO)

Farm to School Policy Strategies What can you use?

Register today!

Contact Information Carol Smathers FCS Field Specialist, Youth Nutrition Farm to School State Lead 163A Campbell Hall, 1787 Neil Ave. (614) Natalie Talis Policy Associate National Farm to School Network (216) Contacts in Other States: farmtoschool.org