Maryland Profile

A new program being developed by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland State Board of Education will bring more Maryland-grown products to school lunches and help educate students about where their food comes, how it is produced, and the benefits of a healthy diet. The Jane Lawton Farm to School Program, so named in honor of the late Maryland House of Delegates member Jane Lawton of District 18, Montgomery County, was created during the 2008 Session of the Maryland General Assembly when *SB 158 Farm-to-School Program - Activities and Promotional Events, *sponsored by Senator Jamie Raskin, was signed into law by the Governor in May.

The Jane Lawton Farm-to-School Program will promote the sale of nutritious locally grown farm goods to our schools; solicit farmers to participate and keep a database of those participating along with their farm products and harvest schedules; connect school systems and farmers; and establish "Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week" to promote Maryland agriculture through school meal and classroom programs and interaction between students and local farmers.

In 2008, the first Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week will be held September 22nd through September 26th with a kickoff event tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, September 24th in Montgomery County. The program will also provide educational materials for teachers to integrate into their lessons to help students make the connection between their lunch menus and the agricultural process. Thus far, approximately 400 schools in Montgomery, Cecil, Carroll, and Anne Arundel Counties are planning to feature local produce in their menus during Homegrown School Lunch Week and as the program develops, more school systems will undoubtedly take part as well. For more information on the Jane Lawton Farm to School Program and where to find Maryland-grown meats and produce, please visit www.marylandsbest.net or call 410-841-5770.