Bill > S1637

This bill establishes the Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program, administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, to provide financial reimbursement to eligible school districts for costs incurred in sourcing and procuring local foods for students. The program aims to increase the types and amounts of local foods served, the meal periods they are offered, and the number of students with access to them, supporting programs like the National School Lunch Program and the Federal School Breakfast Program. Eligible school districts, defined as those providing subsidized meals to eligible students and submitting an attestation form, will receive grant funding based on their size, with specific minimum and maximum allowances for small, medium, and large districts. The bill appropriates $4,500,000 for the program, with funds to be deposited into a dedicated Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Fund, and outlines detailed requirements for grant applications, including proposed local food procurement plans and baseline data. Reimbursement payments will be disbursed periodically, not as a lump sum, and must be used for eligible costs, with a portion allowed for technical assistance. The legislation also emphasizes maximizing federal funding and requires annual reporting on the program's status and effectiveness.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S1637