LANSING –State Representatives Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) and Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) voted to pass a bipartisan plan Wednesday to create farm-to-school initiatives that will help make fresh, locally grown foods available in school cafeterias.
"This bipartisan plan will ensure the success of the farm-to-school program across our state," said Angerer, a lead sponsor of the package. "By putting Michigan-grown foods in our schools, we are not only offering more fresh foods to our children, but we are creating jobs in our communities and boosting our economy. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved."
The bipartisan plan passed by the House will:
- Raise school districts' small-purchasing threshold to $100,000 – greatly enhancing schools' ability to buy and serve fresh, locally grown Michigan farm products.
- Increase marketing opportunities for Michigan farmers and heighten public awareness of Michigan's agriculture, our second-largest industry.
- Incorporates the Select-Michigan Program into schools to help designate farm products grown, processed, or manufactured in Michigan.
- Encourage school food service directors to include local farmers, processors and suppliers when taking bids for products.
- Encourages schools to serve fresh, locally grown foods and farm products.
Michigan's agricultural industry employs over one million residents and creates an annual economic impact of over $60 billion. Expanding market opportunities for Michigan farmers will preserve and strengthen local food production and help increase the significant contribution that agriculture makes to Michigan's economy.
"Agriculture is one of Michigan's three largest industries, in addition to manufacturing and tourism," Ebli said. "Maintaining a strong agriculture industry is vital to creating jobs for our workers and turning our economy around. This plan will help grow farm-to-school programs throughout the state and help move Michigan forward."