SECRETARY KAWAMURA HOSTS WORKSHOP ON FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM

$18 million in funding dedicated to the purchase of nutritious California grown fruits and vegetables

SECRETARY KAWAMURA HOSTS WORKSHOP ON
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM
$18 million in funding dedicated to the purchase of nutritious California grown fruits and vegetables.         

SACRAMENTO, April 4, 2006 – California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura is hosting a workshop on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 at 1:00 p.m., on the $18 million program to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in schools as part of California’s school breakfast program.  The workshop will be held in the department’s auditorium located at 1220 N Street, Room 131, Sacramento, CA, 95814.

“Farmers play a key role in solving California’s obesity crisis in the healthy produce that they grow,” said Kawamura, “This workshop will provide information to guide farmers in establishing a more direct relationship with their local schools – so kids can enjoy more fruits and vegetables everyday.”

Recently, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill that makes available $18 million in funding to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables in California’s school breakfast program. This workshop will educate farmers, packers and processors on how to sell directly to schools and co-ops, packaging guidelines and available resources under this program.

Secretary Kawamura will be joined by Steve Christensen, Deputy Administrator, Special Nutrition Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), who will provide information on the USDA’s Commodity Distribution Program.  Together, the California and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are addressing the nation’s obesity problem through nutritional programs that include fruits and vegetables – linking our schools to our farming community.

The department encourages farmers, packers and processors to contact Jonnalee Henderson at (916) 651-9912 to attend this informative workshop.

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The California Department of Food and Agriculture protects and promotes California’s $31.8 billion agricultural industry. California’s farmers and ranchers produce a safe, secure supply of food, fiber and shelter; marketed fairly for all Californians; and produced with responsible environmental stewardship.