Promoting Student Health and Readiness

H.B. 1508 promotes student health in various ways; one such way is to support farm to school activities. The bill directs the Departments of Education and Agriculture to work together to increase local food consumption by providing technical assistance to both farmers and food service providers. H.B. 1508 also authorizes the Department of Education to award grants to students to participate in community food projects. Eligible grant projects target low income and at-risk youth populations. These projects may help improve food security, count for academic credit, or provide career and college support. H.B. 1508 also encourages schools to develop organic gardens that provide produce for school meals.