Chapter 21 Oregon Laws 2008 Special Session

AN ACT

HB 3601

Relating to Oregon Farm-to-School and School Garden Program; and declaring an emergency.

Whereas farm-to-school programs have been shown to result in increased market opportunities for farmers, fishers, ranchers, food processors and food manufacturers and to support economic development; and

Whereas farm-to-school and school garden programs improve children’s and the community’s knowledge about, and attitudes toward, agriculture, food, nutrition and the environment; and

Whereas farm-to-school and school garden programs have been shown to increase children’s participation in school meal programs and consumption of fruits and vegetables, thereby improving childhood nutrition and preventing obesity and obesity-related diseases; and

Whereas these programs, by decreasing the distance between producers and consumers, promote community food security while reducing emission of greenhouse gases and reliance on oil; and

Whereas the Legislative Assembly finds that it is in the best interests of Oregon’s children, farmers, fishers, ranchers, food processors, food manufacturers and communities to empower schools to increase their use of Oregon agricultural products in their school food service programs; now, therefore,

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. (1) The Department of Education shall establish the Oregon Farm-to-School and School Garden Program. Through the program, the department shall:

(a) Assist school districts that participate in the United States Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program in utilizing Oregon food products and produce from school gardens;

(b) Promote food- and garden-based educational activities in school districts that participate in the United States Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program;

(c) Provide information to school districts on how farm-to-school and school garden projects may help implement wellness policies mandated by the United States Department of Agriculture;

(d) Assist school districts in incorporating farm-to-school and school garden projects into wellness policies mandated by the United States Department of Agriculture;

(e) Work with the State Department of Agriculture to develop farm-to-school related programs; and

(f) Perform other activities necessary to facilitate the success of the Oregon Farm-to-School and School Garden Program.

(2) The State Board of Education may adopt any rules necessary for the administration of this section.

(3)(a) For the purpose of paying the costs of the Department of Education of administering the Oregon Farm-to-School and School Garden Program, the department may accept contributions of moneys and assistance from any source, public or private, and agree to conditions placed on the moneys not inconsistent with the duties of the department under this section.

(b) Any moneys received by the department under this subsection shall be placed in the Department of Education Account.

SECTION 2. On or before February 1, 2009, the Department of Education shall report, in the manner provided in ORS 192.245, to the Seventy-fifth Legislative Assembly on the activities related to the Oregon Farm-to-School and School Garden Program established under section 1 of this 2008 Act.

SECTION 3. Section 1 of this 2008 Act becomes operative on July 1, 2008.

SECTION 4. This 2008 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2008 Act takes effect on its passage.

Approved by the Governor March 11, 2008

Filed in the office of Secretary of State March 11, 2008

Effective date March 11, 2008

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