Gov. Rick Scott granted Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam his biggest wish of the legislative session Thursday when he approved a transfer of school food and nutrition programs from the Department of Education to Putnam's agency."Obviously we're thrilled that the governor has … embraced our vision for improving the quality of what our kids eat in the school system," Putnam said.
Putnam had insisted since his campaign that the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services could provide more nutritious meals for students thanks to its connections with farmers and partnerships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"It's bold, and the governor, I think, correctly put us through our paces to answer the questions," Putnam said. "A guy with a hospital background certainly understands how healthier lifestyles save society over the long haul in managing chronic illnesses that are frequently obesity related."
The transfer is effective Jan. 1, pending approval from the Agriculture Department, which gave $810 million to Florida's school food and nutrition programs this year.
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