L.A. Unified offers lifeline to farmers with healthful eating program

Farmer Bob Knight is framed thought the windshield of his 1941 Ford truck as he carries cauliflower seedlings ready for planting Jan, 7 in Redlands. Knight is a fourth-generation orange grower who sells his citrus to L.A. Unified and is also shifting production to vegetables.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Farmer Bob Knight drives a tractor that pulls a transplanter as workers drop cauliflower seedlings into spindles for planting Jan. in Redlands. Switching from fruits to vegetables has required an investment in special equipment.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Farmer Bob Knight talks with workers to try to adjust a transplanter to plant cauliflower seedlings on Jan. 7.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Bob Knight shows a worker how to drop cauliflower seedlings into spindles for planting on a transplanter on Jan. 7 in Redlands.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Bob Knight drives a tractor that pulls a transplanter as workers drop cauliflower seedlings into spindles for planting on Jan. 7 in Redlands. L.A. Unified is buying vegetables from local farmers such as Knight to encourage healthful eating among students.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)