Health Objectives:

Current Conditions & Challenges

• Children nation-wide are experiencing an epidemic of obesity. Since 1981, obesity has increased by 106% in the United States.
• Children born in the year 2000 have a 33% chance of becoming a diabetic.
• The longer food sits after harvest, the more vitamins and nutrients that are lost.
• There are growing medical concerns about antibiotic resistant strains of microbes in humans through over use of antibiotics.
• Improving the health of the public will reduce health care costs which are a drain on the national economy.

How this program can improve public health and reduce costs:

• Local fresh foods are tastier and require less additives and sweeteners.
• By increasing the amount of fresh locally produced food available to be consumed in schools each year, the US could greatly improve the health food system for its children.
• Increasing the number of Local Farm Businesses creates the opportunity to connect local farmers with schools and improve combined agricultural and nutritional education.
• LFB’S are more likely and capable of using sustainable farming methods that result in foods with higher nutrient content.