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Assembly Bill (AB) 826 INFO
Support Farm to School Legislation in California --
Urge Your Assembly Member to Vote YES on AB 826!
******************************************
Assemblyman Nava has introduced AB 826, which would facilitate more farm to school programs in California schools by providing training to school food service staff and funding and assistance to farmers. This bill will help to ensure that California's children gain access to healthy fruits and vegetables while at school!
Assemblywoman Barbara Matthews, Agriculture Committee Chair, is hosting an informational hearing for AB 826 on April 13.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER AND URGE HIM OR HER:
---> to ATTEND the Informational Hearing on April 13, and
---> to VOTE YES on AB 826!
If your member is on the Assembly Agriculture Committee or Assembly Education Committee, your call/letter is especially important! Scroll down to see the rosters for those committees.
To find out who your member is, visit www.Assembly.ca.gov and click on "Find My District" on the right side of the page.
A SAMPLE LETTER can be downloaded at www.foodsecurity.org/california.
SAMPLE PHONE RAP:
" My name is ________ and I am a constituent. I am calling to urge Assemblymember _____ to attend an informational hearing on Farm to School being held by the Assembly Agriculture Committee on Wednesday, April 13th. I strongly support farm to school programs, because it will help provide fresh healthy fruits and vegetables to schoolchildren. I also support AB 826, the California Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act and I urge Assemblymember _____________ to vote YES on AB 826."
AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Barbara S. Matthews, Chair, Dem-17 (916) 319-2017
Bill Maze, Vice Chair, Rep-34, (916) 319-2034
Sam Blakeslee, Rep-33, (916) 319-2033
Joseph Canciamilla, Dem-11, (916) 319-2011
Dave Cogdill, Rep-25, (916) 319-2025
Nicole Parra, Dem-30, (916) 319-2030
Simon Salinas, Dem-28, (916) 319-2028
Juan Vargas, Dem-79, (916) 319-2079
EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Jackie Goldberg, Chair, Dem-45, (916) 319-2045
Mark Wyland, Vice Chair, Rep-74, (916) 319-2074
Juan Arambula, Dem-31, (916) 319-2031
Joe Coto, Dem-23, (916) 319-2023
Loni Hancock, Dem-14, (916) 319-2014
Bob Huff, Rep-60, (916) 319-2060
Carol Liu, Dem-44, (916) 319-2044
Gene Mullin, Dem-19, (916) 319-2019
Fran Pavley, Dem-41, (916) 319-2041
BACKGROUND:
AB 826 , introduced by Assemblyman Nava (D-Santa Barbara) would require the State Department of Education to offer voluntary farm to school workshops and training, as specified, to school food service directors and school food service personnel on the purchasing and use of seasonal fruits and vegetables from local farmers for use in federally reimbursable meal programs and other meals served on campus. This bill would require the Department of Food and Agriculture, to the extent funding is available, to provide outreach and technical assistance to farmers and others in the agricultural industry seeking to establish or participate in a local Farm to School program.
Assemblymember Barbara Matthews, chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, is hosting an informational hearing on Farm to School on Wednesday, April 13th, at 2:00 PM Rm. 4202 of the state capitol. This is a public hearing to educate committee members, and others in the legislature, about the benefits of farm to school programs for schools and farmers. This is an important chance to build support among legislators for farm to school before they have to vote on AB 826 - the California Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act.
AB 826 will be voted on in the Assembly Education Committee on April 18 and in the Assembly Agriculture Committee on April 20th.
To read the text of the bill, visit
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0801-0850/ab_826_bill_20050405_amended_asm.html
The 7 Steps of Setting Up Meetings with Your Legislators
SAMPLE LETTER to REQUEST a VISIT with YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER on AB 826
April X, 2005
ASSEMBLYMEMBER FULL NAME
State Capitol, Room XXXX
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: AB 826-The CA Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act - Request for Meeting
Dear Assembly member Last Name:
I live in CITY, which is part of your district and I'm very excited about the opportunities increase the nutrition and health of California children, while also improving the economic viability of California farmers through the implementation of farm to school programs. [Explain your specific interest or involvement with farm to school].
The California Food and Justice Coalition (CFJC) and the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) are co-sponsoring AB 826 (Nava) - The California Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act. The bill creates the California Farm to School (F2S) program, and brings together CDE, CDFA, and CDHS to work collaboratively to encourage and support public schools purchasing locally and California grown farm products for use in school meal programs. I respectfully request an appointment on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 to meet with you to discuss AB 826 and my experience with farm to school programs. I would like to be on your schedule WINDOW of TIME (example: from NOON to 2 pm).
I will be attending or testifying at an informational hearing on farm to school connections being held by the Assembly agriculture committee on Wednesday, April 13th at 2:00 PM in room 4202 of the Capitol. The hearing, “Farm to School: How can California Farmers get their Products into Our School Cafeterias?” I have already scheduled my trip to Sacramento for that afternoon appreciate hearing back from you at your earliest convenience. Please respond to __NAME___________at ___PHONE________. If you need further information or background on the issues I'd like to discuss, I ‘d be happy to provide these in advance.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I'm looking forward to seeing you at the Capitol later this month.
Sincerely,
Name
Organization (if applicable)
Address
City, CA Zip
Phone number
For More Information Contact: Heather Fenney, , 310-822-5410
Pete Price, , 916-448-1015
CALIFORNIA FOOD AND JUSTICE COALITION
COMMUNITY ALLIANCE WITH FAMILY FARMERS
Healthy Students - Healthy Farms
AB 826 (Nava) --The CA Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act
Summary:
In order to increase the nutrition and health of California children, while also improving the economic viability of California farmers, the California Food and Justice Coalition (CFJC) and the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) are co-sponsoring AB 826 (Nava), The California Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act. The bill creates the California Farm to School (F2S) program, and brings together the CDE, CDFA, and CDHS to work collaboratively to encourage and support all public schools purchasing locally and California grown farm products, for the school meal program.
The California Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act:
The Problem Facing Farmers: California's small and mid-sized farmers, who grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables year round, are in need of reliable and steady markets that offer a fair price for their farm fresh products. These farmers are well positioned to meet the needs of children suffering from a lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diets, yet they frequently lack the infrastructure and information to meet the demands of this market.
The Farm to School Solution: Across the state approximately 200 schools, in more than 25 districts are operating F2S programs designed to connect schools and local farmers. These schools procure and include farm fresh foods on their menus through salad bars, meals and snacks. F2S programs also incorporate nutrition based curriculum, and provide students with learning opportunities through farm visits, cooking demonstrations, gardening and composting programs. Studies of F2S programs show that more students participate in the school meal program when farm fresh products, instead of prepackaged, canned and processed fruit and vegetables, are on the menu. Studies also show that students choosing F2S options eat
significantly more servings of fruits and vegetables compared to their peers eating hot lunches. In addition to supplying schools with the freshest fruits and vegetables available, these programs give farmers access to a reliable and steady market that allows them to establish better controls on planting, harvesting, and marketing.
Support Farm to School Legislation in California --
Urge Your Assembly Member to Vote YES on AB 826!
******************************************
Assemblyman Nava has introduced AB 826, which would facilitate more farm to school programs in California schools by providing training to school food service staff and funding and assistance to farmers. This bill will help to ensure that California's children gain access to healthy fruits and vegetables while at school!
Assemblywoman Barbara Matthews, Agriculture Committee Chair, is hosting an informational hearing for AB 826 on April 13.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER AND URGE HIM OR HER:
---> to ATTEND the Informational Hearing on April 13, and
---> to VOTE YES on AB 826!
If your member is on the Assembly Agriculture Committee or Assembly Education Committee, your call/letter is especially important! Scroll down to see the rosters for those committees.
To find out who your member is, visit www.Assembly.ca.gov and click on "Find My District" on the right side of the page.
A SAMPLE LETTER can be downloaded at www.foodsecurity.org/california.
SAMPLE PHONE RAP:
" My name is ________ and I am a constituent. I am calling to urge Assemblymember _____ to attend an informational hearing on Farm to School being held by the Assembly Agriculture Committee on Wednesday, April 13th. I strongly support farm to school programs, because it will help provide fresh healthy fruits and vegetables to schoolchildren. I also support AB 826, the California Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act and I urge Assemblymember _____________ to vote YES on AB 826."
AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Barbara S. Matthews, Chair, Dem-17 (916) 319-2017
Bill Maze, Vice Chair, Rep-34, (916) 319-2034
Sam Blakeslee, Rep-33, (916) 319-2033
Joseph Canciamilla, Dem-11, (916) 319-2011
Dave Cogdill, Rep-25, (916) 319-2025
Nicole Parra, Dem-30, (916) 319-2030
Simon Salinas, Dem-28, (916) 319-2028
Juan Vargas, Dem-79, (916) 319-2079
EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Jackie Goldberg, Chair, Dem-45, (916) 319-2045
Mark Wyland, Vice Chair, Rep-74, (916) 319-2074
Juan Arambula, Dem-31, (916) 319-2031
Joe Coto, Dem-23, (916) 319-2023
Loni Hancock, Dem-14, (916) 319-2014
Bob Huff, Rep-60, (916) 319-2060
Carol Liu, Dem-44, (916) 319-2044
Gene Mullin, Dem-19, (916) 319-2019
Fran Pavley, Dem-41, (916) 319-2041
BACKGROUND:
AB 826 , introduced by Assemblyman Nava (D-Santa Barbara) would require the State Department of Education to offer voluntary farm to school workshops and training, as specified, to school food service directors and school food service personnel on the purchasing and use of seasonal fruits and vegetables from local farmers for use in federally reimbursable meal programs and other meals served on campus. This bill would require the Department of Food and Agriculture, to the extent funding is available, to provide outreach and technical assistance to farmers and others in the agricultural industry seeking to establish or participate in a local Farm to School program.
Assemblymember Barbara Matthews, chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, is hosting an informational hearing on Farm to School on Wednesday, April 13th, at 2:00 PM Rm. 4202 of the state capitol. This is a public hearing to educate committee members, and others in the legislature, about the benefits of farm to school programs for schools and farmers. This is an important chance to build support among legislators for farm to school before they have to vote on AB 826 - the California Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act.
AB 826 will be voted on in the Assembly Education Committee on April 18 and in the Assembly Agriculture Committee on April 20th.
To read the text of the bill, visit
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0801-0850/ab_826_bill_20050405_amended_asm.html
The 7 Steps of Setting Up Meetings with Your Legislators
- Visit www.assembly.ca.gov to find your Assembly member's or Senator's name and phone and fax numbers.
- Make the call. Ask to speak to the legislator's scheduler.
- Tell the scheduler your name, organization and that you live in the district.
- Say that you are coming to Sacramento to attend or testify at the Assembly agriculture hearing on farm to school on Wednesday, April 13 and that you would like to schedule a meeting with the legislator to discuss AB 826 - the California Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act, and your experience with farm to school programs.
- The ideal time to meet with the legislator is before 2:00 PM (we expect the hearing will go from approximately 2:30 - 4:00 pm, but it may start earlier), but be flexible! Try to make it easy for your legislator to meet with you. Negotiate a time that works well for them. For example, if it is difficult to get scheduled, say you are willing to walk with the legislator or find another way to squeeze into the legislator's schedule. You may also be told that you can meet with staff; do take that option!
- If the scheduler asks you to submit a letter, note the fax number/email address you should use. CFJC has a model letter that was sent along with this cheat sheet. Fax or email the letter and follow up the next day.
- Once you've scheduled the visit, please contact Heather at CFJC at 310-822-5410 or email . Please tell us your name and contact information, whom your visit is with and what time it is. This information will help us keep track of the legislators who are hearing about AB 826.-and to know where we need to fill in gaps.
SAMPLE LETTER to REQUEST a VISIT with YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER on AB 826
April X, 2005
ASSEMBLYMEMBER FULL NAME
State Capitol, Room XXXX
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: AB 826-The CA Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act - Request for Meeting
Dear Assembly member Last Name:
I live in CITY, which is part of your district and I'm very excited about the opportunities increase the nutrition and health of California children, while also improving the economic viability of California farmers through the implementation of farm to school programs. [Explain your specific interest or involvement with farm to school].
The California Food and Justice Coalition (CFJC) and the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) are co-sponsoring AB 826 (Nava) - The California Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act. The bill creates the California Farm to School (F2S) program, and brings together CDE, CDFA, and CDHS to work collaboratively to encourage and support public schools purchasing locally and California grown farm products for use in school meal programs. I respectfully request an appointment on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 to meet with you to discuss AB 826 and my experience with farm to school programs. I would like to be on your schedule WINDOW of TIME (example: from NOON to 2 pm).
I will be attending or testifying at an informational hearing on farm to school connections being held by the Assembly agriculture committee on Wednesday, April 13th at 2:00 PM in room 4202 of the Capitol. The hearing, “Farm to School: How can California Farmers get their Products into Our School Cafeterias?” I have already scheduled my trip to Sacramento for that afternoon appreciate hearing back from you at your earliest convenience. Please respond to __NAME___________at ___PHONE________. If you need further information or background on the issues I'd like to discuss, I ‘d be happy to provide these in advance.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I'm looking forward to seeing you at the Capitol later this month.
Sincerely,
Name
Organization (if applicable)
Address
City, CA Zip
Phone number
For More Information Contact: Heather Fenney, , 310-822-5410
Pete Price, , 916-448-1015
CALIFORNIA FOOD AND JUSTICE COALITION
COMMUNITY ALLIANCE WITH FAMILY FARMERS
Healthy Students - Healthy Farms
AB 826 (Nava) --The CA Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act
Summary:
In order to increase the nutrition and health of California children, while also improving the economic viability of California farmers, the California Food and Justice Coalition (CFJC) and the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) are co-sponsoring AB 826 (Nava), The California Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act. The bill creates the California Farm to School (F2S) program, and brings together the CDE, CDFA, and CDHS to work collaboratively to encourage and support all public schools purchasing locally and California grown farm products, for the school meal program.
The California Farm to School Child Nutrition Improvement Act:
- Declares that it is the policy of the state to encourage and support the purchase of locally and California grown farm products by public schools, and other public institutions, such as universities, hospitals and correctional facilities.
- Provides training to schools on how to link with California farmers to include local, fresh and seasonal farm products into the school meal program.
- Provides outreach and training for farmers on the opportunities and best practices for selling products to schools.
- Promotes the purchase of local and California grown produce by the Department of Defense Fruit and Vegetable program, which allows schools to purchase local and California grown product through existing DoD procurement channels with their entitlement funds.
- Creates a farm to school seed grants program to help schools purchase needed equipment, create procurement procedures accessible to local farmers, and buy more local produce. These seed grants will also help leverage federal funding into California schools through the federal farm to cafeteria and school garden program.
The Problem Facing Farmers: California's small and mid-sized farmers, who grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables year round, are in need of reliable and steady markets that offer a fair price for their farm fresh products. These farmers are well positioned to meet the needs of children suffering from a lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diets, yet they frequently lack the infrastructure and information to meet the demands of this market.
The Farm to School Solution: Across the state approximately 200 schools, in more than 25 districts are operating F2S programs designed to connect schools and local farmers. These schools procure and include farm fresh foods on their menus through salad bars, meals and snacks. F2S programs also incorporate nutrition based curriculum, and provide students with learning opportunities through farm visits, cooking demonstrations, gardening and composting programs. Studies of F2S programs show that more students participate in the school meal program when farm fresh products, instead of prepackaged, canned and processed fruit and vegetables, are on the menu. Studies also show that students choosing F2S options eat
significantly more servings of fruits and vegetables compared to their peers eating hot lunches. In addition to supplying schools with the freshest fruits and vegetables available, these programs give farmers access to a reliable and steady market that allows them to establish better controls on planting, harvesting, and marketing.