6-18-2101. Legislative findings.

6-18-2101. Legislative findings. The General Assembly finds that: (1) Forty-seven (47) states have established farm to school programs to improve the health of children through the support of the following three (3) core elements: (A) School gardens; (B) Food, nutrition, and agriculture education; and (C) Procurement of local farm or food products for school meals and snacks in public and private educational institutions, early childhood programs, juvenile detention centers, residential childcare institutions, and other childcare learning facilities; (2) A successful farm to school and early childhood education program can increase a student's physical activity, participation in school meals, and preference for fresh fruits and vegetables; (3) A successful farm to school and early childhood education program can improve a student's academic achievement and student behavior; (4) Other states that have created a full-time farm to school and early childhood education program coordinator position have seen an increase in educational opportunities related to agriculture; (5) States with a full-time farm to school and early childhood education program coordinator have seen an increase in the procurement of local farm or food products for schools, which encourages a student's consumption of local farm or food products; (6) Increasing the procurement of local farm or food products for schools has the added benefit of supporting the state's agricultural economy by providing an additional revenue source for local farmers; (7) Farm to school activities support a nutritious school food environment; (8) Students who participate in farm to school activities are more likely to be familiar with, have a preference for, and consume more fruits and vegetables at both school and home; (9) Establishing a strong farm to school and early childhood education program provides support to Healthy Active Arkansas; (10) Establishing healthy behaviors at an early age may prevent the onset of chronic disease and other health conditions later in life; (11) The leading causes of death in Arkansas are heart disease, cancer, and stroke, which are illnesses often associated with dietary behaviors; and (12) Investing in the health of children will help them to achieve greater educational attainment and lead to stronger communities.