Do State Farm-to-School–Related Laws Increase Participation in Farm-to-School Programs?

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study used the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm to School Census to examine whether school districts in states with formal farm-to-school (FTS)-related laws had higher participation rates and a greater frequency of serving local foods in school meals than districts in states without such laws. The presence of FTS-related laws was associated with an increased likelihood of having FTS programs and with serving local foods at higher frequencies in school meal programs. Further research is required to assess the impact of specific types of laws in order to determine the most effective policies to support FTS programs.