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Parents continue to demand quality, healthy foods for their children, whether they're at home or at school. When Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the Local Farms, Healthy Kids Act, we started the process to make it easier to bring nutritious Washington-grown foods to school cafeterias and classrooms. And in doing so, we'll create new markets for Yakima Valley and other growers across the state.

As a mom, I'll never forget how hard it was to get my son to make the right food choices. All parents struggle with this, and at times, it feels like we're losing. Childhood obesity has exploded to epidemic proportions. Over the course of one generation, the number of obese kids has tripled. According to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in six kids in elementary school today is severely overweight. And that can lead to diabetes, asthma and other lifelong health problems.

We all know about the food pyramid and the guidance to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Schools are adopting effective nutrition policies and integrating health and fitness education throughout the curriculum. But we need to do more to show kids just how great fresh fruits, veggies and other healthy, high-quality foods taste.

I always say that nobody can compete against Washington growers on quality. Simply put, we grow the best of dozens of fruits, vegetables and other products, and that is paying off in the marketplace. The public has never been more enthusiastic about farmers markets. Harvests have been good and prices are up. Exports grew a dramatic 38 percent last year as a result of the low dollar, a favorable global marketplace and the great salesmanship the industry does every day and on our flagship governor's trade missions. Agriculture adds $34 billion to our state's economy.

While times are good for farmers today, it will not stay the same forever. With higher fuel, fertilizer and other input costs, farmers are already beginning to feel the squeeze, just like the rest of us. Agriculture is a critical part of Washington's economy, history and culture, and we want it to stay that way. That means developing new markets, and whether those opportunities are overseas or in Washington's schools, I'm glad Gov. Gregoire continues to work for Washington's family farmers.

Our expanded farm-to-school program will build a better network to make it easier for schools to serve Washington-grown foods in the cafeteria. One million Washington kids eat lunches and snacks each school day. More than one-third of them receive free or reduced-price meals -- those are your tax dollars at work. Our farmers should play a bigger role in providing that food for our kids.

Our state has one of the most advanced food handling and distribution systems in the world, and there is no need to reinvent the wheel. But farm-to-school must be a system that works for all Washington farmers, large and small. We may need to revisit concepts like co-ops to improve efficiencies and involve smaller farms. We'll need to purchase fresh, frozen and healthy processed foods to feed our kids throughout the school year. Schools will need to know that they'll get the food they need, when they need it.

We will begin by reducing the barriers to purchasing Washington foods. Rather than only buying the lowest-priced foods, schools can make choices based on what's freshest or healthiest. And recognizing that schools have many priorities and never have enough resources, schools across the state can receive grants to provide Washington-grown fruits and vegetables at snack time.

The other great benefit to this effort is that it is an educational tool. By making meal time a "teachable moment," we can open kids' eyes to where food comes from, the importance of agriculture in the Yakima Valley, and how nutrition helps build a healthy mind and body. And when they eat right, kids learn better. Research shows that students who get enough high-
quality, nutritious foods do
better in class than kids who
come to school hungry.

It's so gratifying to find solutions and build connections to address seemingly unrelated priorities. This farm-to-school opportunity will help support the profitability of Washington farms and preserve those beautiful open spaces that we all love. And every parent knows that good habits start early. With Local Farms, Healthy Kids, we'll help young people make the right choices for a lifetime.

* Valoria Loveland of Pasco has served as director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture since 2002. She plans to retire May 5.