Bill > S3127

This bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to expand and enhance the Farm to School Program, which supports connections between schools and local agricultural producers. The bill broadens the definition of eligible institutions to include more types of educational settings and expands the program's scope to include planting school gardens, procuring local food, and providing agricultural and nutrition education. It increases funding from $5 million to $15 million and allows up to 5% of funds to be used for administrative costs. The bill prioritizes projects that serve socially disadvantaged communities, incorporate culturally appropriate food education, and support beginning, veteran, and minority farmers. It also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct periodic reviews of regulatory barriers facing farm to school programs, with a focus on helping small-scale producers access school food markets. Additionally, the bill provides more flexibility for Tribal agencies in meeting matching fund requirements and explicitly supports the inclusion of traditional foods from Tribal agricultural producers. The program will be authorized from 2026 through 2031, with grants limited to $500,000 per recipient and a maximum award duration of three years.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3127/all-info