Bill Text: GA HB847 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Agriculture; farm to school program to promote Georgia-grown products; provide
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-11 - House Second Readers [HB847 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2009-HB847-Introduced.html
09 LC
25 5644
House
Bill 847
By:
Representatives Benfield of the
85th,
McCall of the
30th,
Levitas of the
82nd,
Roberts of the
154th,
James of the
135th,
and others
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Chapter 8 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to agricultural commodities promotion, so as to provide for a farm to school
program to promote the sale of Georgia-grown farm products to county and
independent school districts in this state; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 2 of
Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the State Board
of Education, so as to provide for a program to encourage and solicit county and
independent school districts to purchase Georgia-grown farm products; to repeal
conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Chapter
8 of Title 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to agricultural
commodities promotion, is amended by adding a new article to read as
follows:
"ARTICLE
6
2-8-150.
There
is established within the department a farm to school program. The department,
in coordination with the efforts of the Department of Education under Code
Section 20-2-21, shall facilitate and promote the sale of Georgia-grown farm
products to county and independent school districts in this state. Through the
farm to school program, the department shall:
(1)
Encourage and solicit Georgia farmers to sell their products to such districts,
schools, and other educational institutions;
(2)
Develop and regularly update a data base of farmers interested in selling their
products to Georgia schools, including the types and amounts of products the
farmers want to sell and the time periods during which the farmers want to
sell;
(3)
In coordination with the Department of Education, facilitate purchases from
local farmers by such interested school districts; and
(4)
Provide outreach and guidance to farmers concerning the value of and procedure
for selling their products to such interested school
districts."
SECTION
2.
Article
1 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to the State Board of Education, is amended by adding a new Code section to read
as follows:
"20-2-21.
The
State Board of Education, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture,
school food service directors, and interested farming organizations,
shall:
(1)
Establish a week-long promotional event, to be known as 'Georgia Grown for
Georgia Kids Week,' each year that will promote Georgia agriculture and foods to
children through school meal and classroom programs, at farms, farmers' markets,
and other locations in this state;
(2)
Encourage and solicit county and independent school districts to purchase
Georgia-grown farm products;
(3)
Provide outreach, guidance, and training to school districts, parent and teacher
organizations, and school food service directors concerning the value of and
procedure for purchasing and incorporating into their regular menus
Georgia-grown farm products;
(4)
In coordination with the efforts of the Department of Agriculture under Code
Section 2-8-150, arrange for local, regional, and state-wide events where
potential purchasers and farmers can interact; and
(5)
Arrange for interaction between students and farmers, including field trips to
farms and in-school presentations by
farmers."
SECTION
3.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.