Kathleen Merrigan speaks at National Farm to Cafeteria Conference

I had the pleasure of hearing USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan speak at the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Detroit, Michigan yesterday. While her talk focused on how Michigan agriculture can tap into the economic opportunity of local and regional food markets, the information is relevant to communities across the country.

One of the opportunities Merrigan discussed for farmers is to participate in local farm to school programs that enable schools to feature farms that provide healthy, locally-sourced products in their school cafeterias. The USDA is currently sending out teams to school districts to help them overcome barriers to purchasing locally-produced foods. Some of these programs also incorporate nutrition-based studies, as well as opportunities for kids to get involved with food and agriculture, such as gardening curricula, cooking classes, and composting activities.

This is very encouraging information, not only for farmers seeking new markets and income opportunities, but for the future outlook of nutrition in our schools, and the overall health of U.S. school children! Local food is fresher and more nutritious, and exposing our children to more appealing and healthy food will help combat the childhood obesity crisis in our country.

One VERY encouraging bit of news was that the U.S. government is no longer purchasing "spent hens" (old egg-laying hens that are used in pet food in this country) for the National School Lunch Program. In a December 2009 report in USA Today, they found that the U.S. government spent more than $145 million on spent-hen meat for schools— a total of more than 77 million pounds served in chicken patties and salads. Osteoporosis-ridden splintering bones and the potential for salmonella in spent-hen meat are some of the potential dangers to children. Yesterday, Merrigan stated that spent hens will no longer be purchased and served as part of the National School Lunch Program!

Let's hope that these promising food trends continue in the USDA and the National School Lunch program.

To find out more about the USDA "Know your Farmer, Know your Food" program and available grants, loans and support for your farming operation, click here.

To read the USDA news release regarding Merrigan's speech and visit to Michigan, click here.