• Thanks to 'Nutrition Education' for the photo.

Well, this is nice news. Hopefully the kids will have fewer junk food choices now so they'll actually eat the healthier food instead of wasting it. I'm also hopeful this will lead to composting programs at publicly funded schools, and maybe even community gardens. Oh, and since I'm dreaming out loud: Can we get all of this produce from local farmers?

State agencies will get more federal funding to provide fresh fruits and vegetables at schools, the Department of Agriculture announced on Wednesday.

The $48 million increase in funding for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program represents a 40 percent increase since the last fiscal year."Improving the health and nutrition of our kids is a national imperative and by providing schools with fresh fruits and vegetables that expand their healthy options, we are helping our kids to have a brighter, healthier future," a USDA statement quoted Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack as saying.

Read the entire MSNBC.com/Reuters article here.