USDA awards grant to promote locally raised food

The Dallas Independent School District has been awarded a $100,000 Farm to School grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The grant will help support continued efforts to encourage kids to eat more fruits and vegetables, add more school gardens, and increase working with the farming community to provide more locally grown products.

Under the grant, the district will expand and build upon our existing Harvest of the Month promotional activities, taste tests, distribution of fresh produce at schools and other activities which promote the benefits of locally grown products. The grant also outlines specifics on integrating farm to school in classroom curriculum throughout the year.

The Farm to School grants help schools respond to the growing demand for locally sourced foods and increase market opportunities for producers and food businesses, including food processors, manufacturers and distributors. Grants will also be used to support agriculture and nutrition education efforts such as field trips to local farms and cooking classes.

Dallas ISD was one of eight districts in the southwest region to receive a USDA grant, totally nearly $450,000.

USDA's Farm to School Program is made possible by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which authorized USDA to provide grants and technical assistance to help schools gain better access to local foods.