By Jamie Martin
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom visited a Los Angeles school to spotlight California's innovative child nutrition programs. Their focus was on Farm to School and Universal Meals initiatives that aim to provide healthy, local food to all students.
The visit comes after the USDA implemented new science-based nutrition standards for school meals. Secretary Vilsack praised California's commitment to both supporting local agriculture and ensuring all students have access to nutritious food. First Partner Newsom emphasized the importance of these programs for student well-being and health.
California has been a leader in child nutrition. They were among the first states to offer universal school meals, building on existing federal programs. Additionally, their Farm to School program connects schools with local farms, benefiting over 1.5 million students.
The article details California's goals to expand the use of local ingredients in school meals and food education programs. It also highlights partnerships between the USDA and California to support local agriculture and address childhood hunger during summer months.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National