POTSDAM -- The North Country Regional Economic Development Council unanimously supported an initiative that Assemblywoman Addie Russell says will increase the state's school lunch reimbursement in an effort to provide funding for schools to purchase more locally grown food products.

The council unanimously passed the measure introduced by Russell, D-Theresa, on Friday, adding its support to the New York State School Nutrition Association's “Drive for 25” initiative.

The proposal would provide additional state funds of up to 25 cents per lunch -- from 6 cents to up to 31 cents -- with a stipulation schools meet targets for increased utilization of food produced in New York state, Russell said.

"I was pleased the resolution gained the support of the regional council. Momentum is growing statewide for an initiative that will benefit our students by providing locally produced fresh food in our cafeterias and our economy by providing a market for products coming from our farms and local businesses," Russell said.

"The North Country Regional Economic Development Council is committed to investments in agriculture as we help feed the region and the world. The resolution passed is a win-win for our agricultural sector and the region's K-12 youth, who will get better quality food from locally sourced products," said council co-chair Tony Collins.

Russell, chair of the state Assembly Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy, says low meal reimbursement rates put school districts in a difficult position and hinder schools’ abilities to integrate farm-to-school products into their menus.

“The increased rate would provide school districts with the funds necessary to purchase locally grown products,” according to the assemblywoman.

"We applaud Assemblywoman Russell for spearheading the initiative to increase the school lunch reimbursement rate, said Kate Fish, a NCREDC member and executive director of the Adirondack North Country Association.

“Our work supporting Farm to School programs shows definitively that cost is a barrier to getting these local foods into our school cafeterias. This initiative will increase access to fresh, healthy food in our schools and provide economic opportunity to our region’s farmers," she said.