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With so much national attention on problems with health, education and the economy, people across the country are beginning to think a solution to all of these issues may be getting more fresh and local food into the mouths of children.

"At this point, kids are sent crap," said Eden Brightspirit Hendrix, Spokane p.e.a.c.h. farm school president, about fillers and government subsidized corn and soy. "We are giving kids a poor diet, and they aren't succeeding, then we are blaming it on the teachers."

Advocates say there are many benefits to food from local farms in schools. The first is healthier meals for children.

"With disease and obesity, we have created a mess, and it's mostly related to consumption," Hendrix said.

Closely linked, is the increase in enjoyment students get out of the experience.

In Spokane's East Valley school district, the menu has completely changed to incorporate more fresh and local food. Through activities like husking corn that they later eat, more students are purchasing and giving positive responses to the meals, said Georjean Kuntz, East Valley nutrition director. Even though the local food may cost more, she expects to see "a wash" in the final budget because more students are buying meals at school.

Hendrix said the p.e.a.c.h. program, which brings students to the farm, exposes them to production and gets them involved in the process, making them more likely to eat and like the produce.

"Kids who grow up with a garden love to eat fresh salads," she said.

The benefits aren't just limited to the schools, however. The economy and the environment are getting a boost as well from sustainable food programs like Washington State University's.

Shawn Hoch, new dining services associate director, is committed to taking green and responsible opportunities whenever they present themselves, he said.

“Whenever a company puts out there their commitment to [sustainable practices], they are going to win WSU’s business,” Hoch said.

Dining services is also committed to using local producers wherever possible, such as Shepherd’s Grain wheat, Thomas Hammer coffee, meats, fruits and vegetables, Hoch said. This stimulates the local economy, generally creates a better product and is better for the environment.

East Valley is also committed to helping the local economy, Kuntz said.

“It’s a plus for our community and a plus for our children,” she said.

Along with positive feedback from parents, administrators and students, Kuntz said she is getting calls from people wanting help setting up their own programs.

“I think more and more schools are going to do this,” she said.

Many already are. The Farm to School program, a national organization that works to get more fresh food into schools, lists more than 2,000 schools and districts with fresh food programs on its website. Eighteen of the programs are in Washington.

The p.e.a.c.h. farm will start discussions about their pilot program with the Cheney school district in 2010. p.e.a.c.h. will not only grow the produce, but will also prepare it for the Cheney schools, Hendrix said.

With more parents out of work, there are more free and reduced meal applications than ever before, Kuntz said. So it’s more important to her now, to make sure students are getting healthy and home-cooked meals at school, she said.

“To see [students’] faces light up was worth all the effort,” Kuntz said.