I wrote here awhile back that Rep. Sam Farr was planning to introduce a bill that would help install salad bars in U.S. elementary schools. He did introduce the bill on December 3rd.

From sgvtribune.com (San Gabriel Valley, CA):

Farr bill aims to get students to eat their veggies

Posted: 10/26/2009 01:30:47 AM PDT

Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, is renewing his push for salad bars in schools through legislation that would require more fruits and vegetables on campus menus.The Children’s Fruit and Vegetable Act of 2009, which Farr expects to introduce in coming weeks, directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to spend more of its school food budget on produce and provide additional money for cafeteria upgrades like salad bars.

“For the first time, parents are asking school boards what are you feeding my kid, not just what are you teaching him,” said Farr, who represents most of Santa Cruz County. “These kids are too often obese, and we as a government are not leading the way and providing them healthy food.”

The congressman’s push for better eating follows a highly publicized federal report this month that suggests fat- and sodium-filled school meals are not consistent with government dietary guidelines. Needed, according to the findings by the Institute of Medicine, are less saturated fat and salt and more whole grains, fruits and vegetables, changes Farr believes his bill would bring.

“We’re not practicing what we preach,” Farr said. The new bill would move things in the right direction, he said…. (Read the rest here)

The bill Rep. Farr introduced on December 3 is called the Children’s Fruit and Vegetable Act.

More on this at The Packer:

Salad bar advocates head to Capitol Hill

Published on 12/04/2009 03:36pm By Tom Karst

…Slusser was one of several advocates of salad bars on Dec. 3-4 in Washington, D.C., on behalf of the United Fresh Produce Association, to brief lawmakers and staffers on Capitol Hill.

Slusser asked Congress to provide increased funding so schools can serve more fruits and vegetables and purchase salad bar equipment and other needed cafeteria items so more schools can have salad bars.

The group also scheduled visits with food and nutrition officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture…. (Read the rest here)

It would be great if local produce was available in Hawai‘i’s schools. And, especially, if it was in salad bars.