Lawmakers look to connect local food with schools, Capitol

Bill would route area produce to state cafeteria

By John Dodge | The Olympian • Published January 27, 2008

"It's not a radical concept for local farmers to supply local food to local schools," Bellingham-area organic farmer Clayton Burrows said in support of the bill.

• Create state pilot programs to help low-income families buy food at farmers markets and food banks.

The bill would require a $4.5 million state budget appropriation, including $2 million for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to offer fresh-fruit-and-vegetable grants to 75 schools.

The bill is one of the four legislative priorities in 2008 for a coalition of state environmental groups.

"It's a comprehensive approach that will save some small and midsized farms, provide for healthier kids and help the food banks," said Clifford Traisman, lobbyist for the Washington Environmental Council.

The measure has the support of people who work in agriculture because it doesn't favor organic over conventionally grown groups and doesn't preclude out-of-state food purchases by schools, Washington Farm Bureau lobbyist John Stuhlmiller said.

"We're bringing together the environmental and agricultural communities with this bill, and that's a great thing for Washington," said Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, a prime sponsor of the Senate bill.

Operators of small and midsize farms need a bill like this to stay in business, said Andrew Stout of Full Circle Farms in Carnation.

"We're losing small family farms day by day in this state," he said. "This bill will help break down the barriers between farmers and schools."

The bill also received support last week from children's advocacy groups, the Washington State Parent-Teacher Association, school officials and Thurston County Food Bank executive director Robert Coit.

Coit said a recent survey of 800 South Sound households served by the food bank found that their top priority is availability of fresh food.

"That's why people line up for hours outside the food bank on a cold day like this," Coit testified. "They want a first chance at fresh produce."

Unfortunately, he said, about all the food bank has to offer this time of year are potatoes. Other times of the year, the produce is just a day or two removed from rotting, he said.