What's Happening in Plymouth, NH…

If a new federal grant proves successful, Plymouth and other New Hampshire cities will have yet another selling point for convincing businesses and families to relocate here - healthier school cafeteria food.

A $560,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will facilitate the purchase of food from local farms for use in 40 of the state’s school districts. Success for this first-of-its-kind program could see the initiative spread to other school districts in the state.

Brochure printing services are asked to create pamphlets and other materials on a variety of subjects, including general nutrition and meal planning for specific health conditions.

The plan will offer dual benefits of providing healthier food options to students while also assisting struggling farmers. The dispersal of the monies will be based on each district’s free or reduced lunch enrollment.

School districts will have to follow the guidelines put down by the USDA and must spend the money with local farms or hubs. Moreover, the foods must be non-processed, such as yogurt, milk, fruits, vegetables, or meat. It will be left up to the districts to decide which suppliers to partner with and which fresh foods to purchase.

State officials are hoping that these farm-school partnerships will continue even after the money is exhausted. It is anticipated that the program will be rolled out by the end of September.