CAFF works on Farm to School: CAFF has worked for years to help local schools and farmers establish Farm to School programs. This year CAFF has worked hard to enact AB 826, which will establish a state Farm to School program. AB 826 will combine the technical support of the state's education, agriculture, and health agencies to help both farmers and schools establish and strengthen local Farm to School programs. While other legislation focuses on improving the quality of school meals, only AB 826 is designed to help farmers as well by creating new local markets.

Now you must work on the Governor: AB 826 has won bipartisan support in the Legislature and is supported by a wide range of agricultural, public health and nutrition organizations as well as school districts. Now the bill is on the Governor's desk. We must win the support of one more person, and you can help. Please send a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger and urge him to sign AB 826 into law. Your letter can help ensure California school children get access to fresh fruits & veggies in the cafeteria and farmers get access to valuable local markets.

Sample Support Letter

(fax to 916-445-4633 or paste your e-mail at: www.govmail.ca.gov)

DATE

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for AB 826 (Nava)

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:

I am writing to express my support for AB 826, the California Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act. I hope that you will support this innovative approach to improving school nutrition and supporting California's farmers.

If you are a farmer, describe your farming operation: for example, where your farm is located, how many acres, what crops you farm. If you are a member of your county Farm Bureau, please say so (the California Farm Bureau Federation supports AB 826.)

I support farm to school because: (choose one or more of the following points):

Farm to school programs are a win-win for schools and farmers alike. They put the freshest and healthiest fruits and vegetables in our kids school meals, and create a new market for farmers who struggle to find markets where they can get a fair price.

When schools purchase fruits and vegetables directly from local farms not only do students benefit, but so do farm families, their communities and the local economy.

When schools connect with farms, it not only allows schools to serve more fresh fruits and vegetables. It also creates opportunities for hands-on nutrition education, such as farm tours, gardening and composting programs, and taste testing and cooking demonstrations.

Name your own reason

Highlight one or more of the following points:

AB 826 complements other nutrition bills that you are supporting to get junk foods out of schools and improve the nutritional value of school meals (SB 12 and SB 965) and to give schools money to purchase fruits and vegetables (SB 281). AB 826 will help local farmers and local schools work together so that school food dollars can be spent on fruits and vegetables from local farmers. These bills can work together to create a healthful school food environment for California's children and support California agriculture.