WATERBORO, Maine — Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today applauded Maine Regional School Unit 57 in Waterboro for winning a $33,778 federal grant to implement farm-to-school initiatives in the district’s seven schools.
“Maine schools do a great job teaching students about the food they eat and the people who produce it. Their embrace of the farm-to-school movement has brought terrific benefits to our communities as a whole, including nutritious meals for students, business for local farmers, and school sustainability,” said Pingree. “I’m grateful that RSU 57 will get federal support to serve more locally sourced food and engage students in sustainable, healthy food systems. This federal investment is sure to have a big impact.”
As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Pingree has been a strong advocate for the Farm to School Program at USDA.
Maine consistently ranks among the top states for participating in farm-to-school activities. According to the 2015 Farm to School Census, the Maine school participation rate was 79 percent while the national rate was 42 percent. On average, schools in Maine spent 16 percent of their budget on local products like fruit, vegetables, milk and meat.
Details about the RSU 57 grant
Maine Regional School Unit 57 Waterboro, Maine Grant Type: Planning; $33,778 The Regional School Unit (RSU) 57 Farm to School Program will serve the district’s seven schools by implementing food and wellness lessons and activities through farm to school initiatives. Such initiatives include farm field trips, increased procurement of local foods in the cafeteria, taste tests of local foods, and integrating education about the gardens, greenhouse, “zero waste” composting program, and nutrition into classrooms.
—The Office of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
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