                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT; FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM TASK FORCE (§ 22.1-23.4)

A. As used in this section, &#8220;farm to school program&#8221; means any
program (i) whereby public schools purchase and feature prominently in school
meals locally produced food or (ii) that involves experiential student learning
opportunities relating to local food and agriculture, including school and
community garden programs and local farm visits.

B. The Department shall establish and appoint such members as it deems necessary
or appropriate to the Farm to School Program Task Force (the Task Force) for the
purpose of increasing student access to high-quality farm to school programs
throughout the Commonwealth.

C. The Task Force shall collaborate with local school boards, community-based
organizations, farmers, relevant state and local agencies, and other relevant
stakeholders to (i) assess existing farm to school programs within the
Commonwealth to identify and disseminate to each local school board best
practices for implementing and sustaining such programs, (ii) establish and
distribute to each local school board a guidance document for the establishment
and operation of school garden programs, (iii) provide information and resources
to each local school board to assist it in leveraging grant funds to support
farm to school programs, and (iv) collect such data and make such policy
recommendations to local school boards, the Board, and the General Assembly as
it deems appropriate.

HISTORY: 2024, cc. 398, 399.