Budget rebound may restore locally grown school food

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico lawmakers are taking steps to revive funding for public schools to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables from local farms.

Republican Rep. Jimmie Hall of Albuquerque said Thursday that $400,000 is likely to be included in this year's House appropriations bill for the farm-to-school program. Spending was cut off last year as New Mexico struggled to fill a budget gap amid a downturn in the oil sector.

Public school districts across the state, from Taos to Deming, have relied for nearly a decade on earmarked state funding to purchase produce directly from local farmers.

Republican Rep.