The Department of Education has informed local farmers that the School Lunch Program will not be accepting any local produce in the new school year until all farms are inspected and certified.
This was confirmed by the Director of Education Maefau Dr. Mary Taufetee.
She explained that DOE is making this move following the discovery of unsafe practices in some local farms—for example, the use of insecticides to hasten the ripening of produce, use of unauthorized pesticides, unsanitary conditions on farms, and similar violations.
The Director explained that it was through the School Lunch Program that the Department of Health was prompted to inspect farms, some of which were found to be violating health and safety regulations.
While the farms identified were Asian-owned, the Director said it would be considered as discriminatory if they stop only Asian-owned farms from supplying School Lunch. DOE has therefore made the decision to stop accepting all locally grown produce for the School Lunch Program until all farms have been inspected. Farm owners and workers must meet health regulations and undergo proper training in the use of pesticides. The Director explained that a special team has been set up by the Governor’s Office to take charge of the farm assessments.
In a previous interview with the Aileen Solaita, Director of the Environmental Services Division of the Department of Health, she stated that all School Lunch Program suppliers must have a business license. They must undergo a pesticide training offered by the AS Environmental Protection Agency, as well as training on the use of fertilizers and compost by the Department of Agriculture. The Environmental Health Services Division then conducts an inspection of the farms. It is also a requirement that all farm workers must have health cards.
Director of Education Maefau envisions that the School Lunch Program will not accept locally grown produce at the start of the new school year. Only after farms have been inspected and certified, and have met all the requirements, will the School Lunch Program begin accept local produce again. She emphasized that this is the fairest way to ensure that the food being given to our school children are safe.
