81R9087 BEF-D
By: Shapleigh S.B. No. 1089
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to farm-to-school initiatives.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by
adding Sections 12.048 and 12.049 to read as follows:
Sec. 12.048. FARM-TO-SCHOOL COORDINATING TASK FORCE. (a) In
this section, "task force" means the farm-to-school coordinating
task force.
(b) The task force consists of members appointed by the
commissioner, including representatives of:
(1) the department;
(2) the Texas Education Agency;
(3) the Department of State Health Services;
(4) farm organizations;
(5) general academic teaching institutions, as
defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; and
(6) other relevant public and nonprofit entities.
(c) The commissioner shall designate a member who
represents the department to be the chair of the task force. Members
serve at the pleasure of the commissioner.
(d) The task force shall:
(1) develop a multipartner approach to farm-to-school
initiatives in this state;
(2) design nutrition and food education resources to
educate students about family farms, local agriculture, and
sustainable food systems with a strong focus on fresh, locally
produced fruits and vegetables;
(3) create useful and practical farm-to-school
resources for teachers that are easily incorporated into core
curriculum classes and are tied to current curriculum requirements;
(4) expand food-focused experiential education
efforts;
(5) develop a database of available local products for
school food service agencies, including contact and purchasing
information; and
(6) advise the department on the development and
administration of the grant programs under Section 12.049.
Sec. 12.049. FARM-TO-SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAMS. (a) Subject to
available funding, the department shall develop and administer
grant programs for school districts to:
(1) purchase locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables,
and other foods for school lunch and breakfast programs;
(2) create and maintain school gardens and conduct
extension education activities including farm field trips; and
(3) offer support for farm-to-school programs.
(b) The department shall adopt rules for the grant programs,
including criteria for selecting grant recipients.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable on or after the effective
date of this Act, the commissioner of agriculture shall appoint the
initial members of the farm-to-school coordinating task force under
Section 12.048, Agriculture Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.