By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-966309.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – State Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is seeing his top legislative priority get the nod from the legislature. The plan calls for the School Lunch program to move from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture. And as Lynn Hatter reports, a proposal once seen as as a long-shot, could be on the brink of becoming law.
At the beginning of the legislative session, the plan to move the school lunch program looked to be in trouble. The push back came hard and fast first from the state Board of Education and board member Roberto Martinez.
"It's a matter of policy. The Department of Agriculture, your own press release stated it's the mission of the Department to protect the Agricultural Industry. It's the mission of the department of Education to protect the children."
Then from the Senate's K-12 Education budget chief, David Simmons:
"Shifting it over into the Department of Agriculture as far as I am aware, at least will not happen in the very near future."
But oh, what a difference a whole lot of lobbying can make. Putnam's Department of Agriculture has been working behind the scenes and now the school lunch switch may soon be a reality.
"Seeing no discussion or debate, Senator having waived his close, the secretary will unlock the board and members prepare to vote have all senators voted? Secretary lock the board and announce the vote. 37 yeas, zero nays Mr. President. Show the bill passes."
The proposal creates the Healthy Schools for Healthy Lives Act and is sponsored in the Senate by Senator Orlando Democrat, Gary Siplin.
"Members, there is a direct correlation between good nutrition and student development and learning. Due to this relationship both the state and federal government have adopted policies for local school districts to operate school nutrition programs."
Under the bill local school districts will still control their programs, but the administrative tasks would switch from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture. It fits with Commissioner Adam Putnam's push for healthier foods. Since taking office he's crafted a program to get fresh produce into urban areas, and another that rewards Floridians buying fresh fruits and vegetables with additional dollars in food stamps. The Commissioner says it only makes sense that students should be getting the same treatment.
"In the meantime we would be working aggressively to connect small farms with schools and school district, expanding the number of servings of fresh fruits and vegetables in the school programs, aggressively working with our marketing folks to help create the desire for kids to add more fruits and vegetables to their diet. We continue to work the industry to improve the overall nutritional value of the meal, including beverages, which is something the Board of Education has also been focused on."
But just because the legislature approves the transfer, doesn't mean that's the final word on it. Early on in the session Department of Education finance director Linda Champion pointed to a potential roadblock in the plan.
"Shifting it over into the Department of Agriculture as far as I am aware, at least will not happen in the very near future."
That's because the transfer requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to sign off. And only two other states have moved their school lunch programs- New Jersey and Texas. And that was because their Department's of Education had failed to really make the programs a priority. And there's a financial incentive too next year, the budget for the school lunch program is increasing, largely due to more federal money being up for more healthy foods.
"We've had an ongoing conversation with the Department of Agriculture in Washington on this. Nothing is guaranteed with the feds, but we certainly feel that our vision is in line with the USDA, congress and the administration has been moving in terms of helping keep kids more active, more fit and giving them healthier options in their diet."
If Florida gets the waiver, the switch will occur in January.