Bill > HB1768

This bill establishes the Keystone Fresh Program, a comprehensive initiative designed to increase local food purchases in Pennsylvania school meals and support local agricultural producers. The program consists of three main grant programs: the Fresh Schools Grant Program, which provides funding to school districts to purchase local foods for school meals; the Keystone Producer Grant Program, which supports farms and food aggregators with equipment and marketing needs; and the Keystone Assistance Grant Program, which offers technical assistance to help schools incorporate more minimally processed local foods into their lunch programs. The bill prioritizes grants for veteran farmers, farmers from socially disadvantaged groups, new farmers, and those using sustainable agriculture techniques. Grant amounts vary based on school district size, ranging from $16,500 to $650,000 annually, and can be used to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, and other food items. The program will be administered by the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture, which will also establish a farm-to-school website, conduct outreach, and perform biennial external evaluations of the program's effectiveness. A dedicated Keystone Fresh Fund will be created to support these initiatives, with specific allocations for grants, administrative costs, and program evaluations. The ultimate goals are to improve child nutrition, support local farmers, and create economic and community benefits for Pennsylvanians.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1768