Alaska law promotes local produce in public schools

From The Associated Press, Wednesday, May 5, 2010:

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell has signed a bill into law ordering state agencies to study and recommend ways to get local agriculture into the diets of public school children.

The Farm-to-School Program is estimated to cost $181,000 annually to cover one full-time and one-part time position, travel, and curriculum coordination.

Parnell and sponsor Rep. Carl Gatto, a Palmer Republican, say the law signed Tuesday supports local farms and could improve nutrition of school-age children.

It takes effect in August and expires July 2014.