25 schools to get state fruits, vegetables

But critical piece of Local Farms-Healthy Kids program is on hold because of hiring freeze

Twenty-five schools statewide will be able to buy Washington-grown fruits and vegetables as snacks this year, thanks to new legislation.

The Local Farms-Healthy Kids bill passed nearly unanimously in Olympia earlier this year aims to get nutritious food to schoolchildren and provide economic opportunities to state farmers.

But one of the most important parts of the plan -- hiring two staff people to connect schools with farms and do outreach that busy school nutrition directors can't -- was delayed because of the state government hiring freeze imposed three weeks ago by Gov. Chris Gregoire....