§ 4721 - Local foods grant program
§ 4721. Local foods grant program
(a) There is created in the agency of agriculture, food and markets the Rozo McLaughlin farm-to-school program to award local grants for the purpose of helping Vermont schools develop relationships with local farmers and producers.
(b) A school, a school district, a consortium of schools, or a consortium of school districts may apply to the secretary of agriculture, food and markets for a grant award to:
(1) fund equipment, resources, training, and materials that will help to increase use of local foods in the school food service program;
(2) fund items, including local farm products, that will help teachers to use hands-on educational techniques to teach children about nutrition and farm-to-school connections; and
(3) provide professional development and technical assistance to help teachers educate students about nutrition and farm-to-school connections.
(c) The secretary and the commissioner of education, in consultation with farmers, food service workers, and educators, shall jointly adopt rules relating to the content of the grant application and the criteria for making awards.
(d) The secretary shall determine that there is significant interest in the school community before making an award and shall give priority consideration to schools and school districts that are developing farm-to-school connections and education and that are making progress toward the implementation of the Vermont nutrition and fitness policy guidelines developed by the agency of agriculture, food and markets, the department of education, and the department of health, dated November 2005 or of the successor of these guidelines.
(e) No award shall be greater than $15,000.00. (Added 2007, No. 24, § 2.)