Whereas farm to school programs of varying scale operate in nearly 67,369 schools across the United States; Whereas farm to school programs connect schools and local farms in order to— (1) serve nutritious meals in school cafeterias; and (2) support local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen; Whereas farm to school programs include experiential education components that can lead to permanent improvements in the diets of children, both in school and at home; Whereas farm to school programs facilitate the purchase of local food for school meals; Whereas farm to school programs can benefit small and mid-sized agricultural producers by providing access to consistent markets; Whereas farm to school programs can be particularly important for beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers, as schools provide a consistent and secure customer base; Whereas farm to school programs can benefit local economies; Whereas, for every $1 spent on local foods in schools, up to an additional $2 circulates in the local economy; Whereas data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that only 7 percent of children consume the recommended amount of vegetables; Whereas communities with high levels of poverty have less access to fresh fruits and vegetables than higher income communities; Whereas the increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is 1 of 6 major strategies to prevent and control obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Whereas studies have demonstrated that children in schools with an active farm to school program increase their average consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by 1 or more servings per day; Whereas farm to school programs— (1) are popular among children; (2) can increase interest in school meal programs; and (3) can decrease food waste; and Whereas October 2023 would be an appropriate month to designate as National Farm to School Month : Now, therefore, be it