DeLauro Applauds Grant to Increase Local Foods in New Haven Schools

November 14, 2012
Press Release

Over $98,000 Will Help More Than 20,900 PublicSchool Students

WASHINGTON,DC – Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) today applauded a $98,100 Farm to Schoolgrant for CitySeed, Inc. to connect New Haven school cafeterias with localagricultural producers.

"Farmers'markets like City Seed support the link between farmers in rural Connecticutand the families, children and seniors living in our city and suburbanneighborhoods," DeLauro said. "We have seen a real explosion inlocally grown foods on Americans' tables over the past several years and thisgrant will help ensure our schools can also support local producers. I commendCitySeed for their tireless work to make some of the best locally grown andproduced foods available to students who may not otherwise have access tothem."

Thegrant will enable CitySeed, Inc. to hire a procurement specialist to help NewHaven School Food Programs increase the amount of regionally grown produce inthe meals of more than 20,900 urban public school students, nearly 80 percentof whom qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch.

NicoleBerube,Executive Director of CitySeed said, "We are thrilled that this Farm toSchool grant will build on all the terrific work that has been put intoimproving school food in New Haven and will support a collaborative effortbetween the school system, the city and partners to make significant growth inprocuring CT grown produce for school children."

DeLauro,a senior member of the committee responsible for funding the AgricultureDepartment, is a longtime advocate for increased access to local and healthyfoods in schools.

The first-ever USDAFarm to School grants will help schools respond to the growing demand forlocally sourced foods and increase market opportunities for producers and foodbusinesses, including food processors, manufacturers, distributors. Grants willalso be used to support agriculture and nutrition education efforts suchas school gardens, field trips to local farms, and cooking classes.