RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Virginia several grants to bring more local farm products to school meal programs. Announced Monday by Gov. Terry McAuliffe, the funding includes $20,750 for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for a farm-to-school conference in March. The conference will provide educational programs aimed at bringing homegrown foods to schools. Besides that grant, the USDA awarded $99,179 to Appalachian Sustainable Development in Abingdon. It will increase the flow of local produce to school systems in southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee. Finally, Pulaski County’s public schools will receive a $43,415 grant to develop a farm-to-school initiative.
