A LAWMAKER is batting for the establishment of a program that will provide students access to healthier meals at school and make them more aware of a healthier food environment.

AAMBIS-Owa Partylist Rep. Sharon Garin filed House Bill 7009 which seeks to establish the National Farm to School Program.

Under the bill, schools are mandated to educate primary and secondary school children on food, nutrition, health, and agriculture. They will also have to ensure that students have access to safe, healthy and nutritious locally produced food at school.

Garin pushed for the bill to address hunger, food waste, and under nutrition among school children.

“Undernutrition and hunger adversely affects a child’s ability to learn and hinders them from achieving their full potential,” Garin said in her explanatory note.

Under the bill, the Department of Education will monitor the establishment of in-school farms or gardens and promote vegetable production. DepEd will also ensure that agriculture and agricultural concepts are included in the lessons of the students.

The measure will also integrate subjects and lessons on vegetable production in the curriculum of both public and private schools.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture must identify and accredit farmer organizations and cooperatives who can supply the provisions for gardening, provide technology and technical assistance, and conduct training and seminars for students, teachers and parents.

All products from the school farms will be used for the national school feeding program. Surplus vegetables may be sold to generate income for the purchase of other food supplies.