Adam Putnam: Move Child Nutrition to Agriculture Dept. from DOE

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam says it's a natural fit to make the department that oversees the state's fruits and vegetables also responsible for getting that fresh produce on children's lunch trays at school.

During the Florida Board of Education meeting Tuesday morning, Putnam made his case before the board as to why children's nutrition programs should be transferred from the Department of Education to the new commissioner's department.

Putnam contends that things have changed significantly over the last few years.

"When I got to Congress, ketchup was still considered a vegetable," he told the board.

He says his Healthy Schools for Healthy Lives Act will provide opportunities to leverage Florida's year-round growing season, and create dual benefits of promoting home-grown Florida products, and getting fresh fruits and vegetables in front of school children.

While some on the board voiced their support for Putnam's plan, one member, Roberto Martinez, made it clear he doesn't like the idea. Martinez says there's an inherent conflict, because the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is mainly responsible for protecting the agriculture industry, whereas the school board's mission is to protect the students.

Putnam argued there is no conflict, and that the health of the next generation of Floridians is his department's top priority.

Full story later on SSN.

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