KING

Under the Local Farms/Healthy Kids bill, Washington schools would be encouraged to put more food grown by local farmers on their menus.

NEAR CARNATION, Wash. -- A plan to put money in the pockets of local farmers by putting their food in local schools is plowing through the state legislature. The bill may get a House vote next week, and the concept is picking up widespread support.

Even in the dead of winter, when there are more snow geese than crops on Puget Sound farms, there is work to be done. Farmers can grow some of their heartier crops this time of year, and while they do, they're carefully watching support grow for a bill in the state Legislature.

"Well I think it's going to, number one, make healthier kids. That's the biggest impact. Number two, it allows a market for local products into a local institution," said Andrew Stout, owner of Full Circle Farms.

The Local Farms/Healthy Kids bill would encourage more locally produced food in public schools.  Supporters say it would provide fresh, healthy food to school cafeterias and reduce dangers from imported foods.  Opponents say it violates the free enterprise system and uses public money to force schools to accept local products.

"I don't think the bill is doing that at all. It's just setting up a system that allows local producers to get into the schools. It's not forcing the schools," said Clayton Burrows, Director of Growing Washington, a farmer's co-op.

The plan has fielded support from public health groups that love the idea of schools going local.

"Fruit that comes from two miles away has qualities that are likely different from fruit that comes from 2,000 miles away," said Erin MacDougall, Seattle/King County Public Health.

But are local farms up to supplying that much food? They say yes, and they're working on bright new innovations to help them, such as using greenhouses to extend the growing season. Right now, it costs a lot to heat and light the greenhouses, but farmers are looking for ways to do that for free by developing energy from compost piles.

The plan does not require schools to buy organic or natural foods, just local foods. Sponsors are asking for $5 million to fund the plan, most of which would go to the farmers.