House Bill 487-FN, the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement Program, is an incentive purchase program for New Hampshire school districts that participate in the National School Lunch program. If passed by the 2023 New Hampshire legislature, participating schools can spend $3,600 of their federal school lunch funds on New Hampshire grown food and receive a $1,200 reimbursement from the state.
Join NH Farm to School advocates, parents, teachers, farmers, and community members that believe the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement Program will provide students access to more local and nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other local foods, boosting youth health and wellness and agricultural viability.
|
|
House Bill 487-FN, the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement program, was heard before the House Education Committee on January 24. On February 1, the House Education Committee will deliberate and hold a vote to determine if the bill is "ought to pass," "ought to pass as amended," "inexpedient to legislate," "refer to interim study," or "re-refer to Committee." Prior to the committee's vote, share your testimony of support with the legislators that sit on the House Education Committee. Browse through the list of legislators on the House Education Committee below and use their individual legislative emails to share with them why they should vote to pass House Bill 487-FN, the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement program.
David Luneau, Hopkinton
Art Ellison, Concord
Steve Woodcock, Center Conway
Muriel Hall, Bow
Peggy Balboni, Rye
Corinne Cascadden, Berlin
Hope Damon, Sunapee
Rick Ladd, Haverhill
Glenn Cordelli, Tuftonboro
Oliver Ford, Chester
Alicia Lekas, Hudson
Mike Belcher, Wakefield
Margaret Drye, Plainfield
Valerie McDonnell, Salem
Kristin Noble, Bedford
Katy Peternel, Wolfeboro
Arlene Quaratiello, Atkinson
Mel Myler, Contoocook
Patricia Cornell, Manchester
Linda Tanner, Georges Mills
Below are some informational and impact talking points that you can use in emails to legislators on the House Education Committee. Use these talking points in addition to your own stories and anecdotes about the local food and the importance of having it available to New Hampshire's children in our schools.
INFORMATIONAL TALKING POINTS
- The program will provide New Hampshire K-12 schools who participate in the National School Lunch Program a state reimbursement for purchases of New Hampshire grown and produced foods.
- The program's reimbursement rate is $1 for every $3 spent, with a maximum reimbursement of $1200. Participating schools can maximize the reimbursement benefit by spending $3600 of their federal school lunch funds on New Hampshire grown and produced food to receive a $1200 reimbursement from the state.
- New Hampshire grown foods that qualify for a reimbursement are: fruits, vegetables, proteins, maple syrup, cider, and dairy products. Fluid milk purchases do not qualify for reimbursement.
- The program will be run by the NH Department of Education, Nutrition Services office.
IMPACT TALKING POINTS
The Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement program will boost youth health and wellness, as well as agricultural viability, but will specifically:
- Provide New Hampshire students access to fresher, nutrient dense local foods.
- Annually inject $1.8mil federal and state funds directly into New Hampshire’s farm and food economy.
- Educate New Hampshire students about the variety of fruits, vegetables, and other products grown and produced locally.
- Provide new market opportunities for farmers and producers.
|
|
Learn More About the Important Role Farm to School Plays in Schools and Communities Across the State |
|
How HB 487-FN Will Move Through the Legislature |
|
House Education Committee hearing: January 24 at 9am in the Legislative Office Building Room 205-207
House Education Committee vote: February 1 at 11:15am in the Legislative Office Building Room 205-207
if passed, the bill will move to the House Finance Committee
House Finance Committee hearing: TBA
House Finance Committee vote: TBA
if passed, the bill will move to the full House of Representatives
House of Representatives hearing: TBA
House of Representatives vote: TBA
|
|
NOFA-NH
84 Silk Farm Rd. Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 224-5022 Email: info@nofanh.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
