North Country Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, says she is continuing to work to get funding included in the 2016-17 state budget to launch a pilot farm to school program in the North Country.

She said the Assembly’s budget proposal includes $300,000 to build upon the successful farm-to-school program, but additional funding will be necessary in the final budget to get the pilot program off the ground.

The farm-to-school initiative would modify the state’s reimbursement formula for school lunches, by increasing reimbursement rates by 5 to 25 cents a meal from the current 6 cents.

The rate would be dependent on the percentage of locally grown and produced products that school districts purchase each year.

The reimbursement rate for school lunches hasn’t been increased in 40 years, and low reimbursement rates hinder schools’ abilities to purchase farm-to-school products, according to Assemblywoman Russell, who chairs the state Assembly Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy.

"I am continuing to work to get that additional funding for the pilot program in the final state budget. The support for the effort in the Assembly's one house budget bill is an important first step toward making this program a reality," Assemblywoman Russell said.

"But it is clear there is still a need for additional monies - several hundred thousand dollars - to get those local products in our school cafeterias by the next school year. Our vibrant agricultural community and high needs schools in the North Country make us an ideal region to launch a pilot program," she said.

This additional funding would spur development of a farm-to-school food supply chain, making it more affordable for schools to purchase healthy food grown or raised in New York State.

“This program would help schools provide fresh food grown in our state, stimulating the local economy and introducing our students to more healthy food options,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “This is a win-win for local farmers and our children.”

As part of her farm-to-school initiative, Assemblywoman Russell authored a bill making it easier for school districts to purchase from local cooperatives (A.6182). The bill would allow schools to make purchases of less than $25,000 from associations or coops without applying for permission from the state education commissioner.

The bill passed the Assembly’s Local Governments Committee in January and is now awaiting action by the Ways and Means Committee.

“When we empower our schools to purchase local food, we demonstrate our commitment to New York’s agricultural community,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “I will keep fighting to enact policies and secure funding so that our kids have more access to healthy foods."