Let farm to school program continue to grow

It is a seed that has really started to germinate. The Farm to School program in Wisconsin has continued to grow since its inception. The program provides a partnership between local schools and area farmers, providing fresh fruits and vegetables for students to enjoy. Wisconsin has become a national leader in the farm to school movement. But not for much longer. Governor Walker has proposed eliminating the position of the state’s farm to school coordinator as part of his new budget. That would be a mistake. Eliminating the position provides only modest savings to taxpayers, less than $90,000 a year. The program helps students understand where their food comes from, and gets them thinking about what they put in their bodies. The program benefits not only students who get to eat fresh, healthy, locally-grown food, but also benefits our farmers. Eliminating the program also sends the message that our kid’s health isn’t important if the state can save a few bucks along the way. This farm to school program has accomplished great things, and is a bargain for taxpayers. Legislators should reject the Governor’s call to eliminate the coordinator position, and restore that small amount of funding when they approve the budget.This program should be allowed to continue to grow.