WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) announced today that Wisconsin is getting $294,596 in “Farm to School” grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including $99,032 for the Sparta Area School District. The grants will be used to increase access to fresh produce for students, providing an economic boost for local family farms.

“It's hard to develop a healthy mind without a healthy body, so helping schools provide fresh, nutritious meals will encourage good eating habits and keep our students healthy during these critical formative years,” said Rep. Kind. “Connecting school cafeterias to local farms will bring communities together by boosting local economies and giving young people an appreciation for our agricultural heritage.”

The Sparta Area School District project will expand access to fresh produce and bolster healthy eating for schools in the Sparta, Tomah, and Norwalk?Ontario?Wilton school districts. Specifically, the grant helps develop a plan to serve more locally and regionally harvested meats, produce and grains, equip school kitchens with the tools they need to prepare fresh produce, and educate students about their local and regional food options.

The Healthy Hunger?Free Kids Act of 2010 authorized and funded the USDA to establish the Farm to School program.