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Farm to School Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-3127| Senate 
| Updated: 11/6/2025
Peter Welch

Peter Welch

Democratic Senator

Vermont

Cosponsors (2)
Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the Farm to School Act of 2025, aims to reauthorize and significantly expand the existing Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program. It broadens the definition of an "eligible institution" to include land-grant colleges and universities, in addition to schools, and clarifies that a "farm to school program" encompasses activities like planting gardens, procuring from local agricultural producers, and conducting educational activities related to agriculture, nutrition, or food. A key provision is the substantial increase in authorized annual funding for the program, from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 , for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. The legislation enhances grant provisions, setting a maximum award of $500,000 over a three-year term, with the Secretary encouraged to offer diverse amounts and durations to match project scope. It emphasizes improving local food procurement and distribution options, including funding for innovative approaches to aggregation, processing, transportation, and distribution. The bill also allows for the waiver or modification of matching requirements to reduce barriers for high-priority projects and permits Tribal agencies to use certain federal funds to satisfy their non-Federal share. Priority for grant awards is given to projects that incorporate experiential and culturally appropriate education, serve a high proportion of children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds , expand local commodity selection, and address diet-related health issues. Notably, the bill prioritizes projects serving Tribal communities that incorporate traditional foods from Tribal agricultural producers. Furthermore, it mandates the Secretary to conduct triennial reviews and submit reports on regulatory and other barriers affecting farm to school programs, including those impacting small-scale and Tribal producers, to foster greater participation and effectiveness.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2026
Farm to School Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1328
Farm to School Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3129
Farm to School Act of 2023
Nov 6, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Nov 6, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Nov 17, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6065
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2026
    Farm to School Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1328
    Farm to School Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3129
    Farm to School Act of 2023


  • November 6, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 6, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.


  • November 17, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6065
    Introduced in House

Agriculture and Food

Related Bills

  • HR 119-6065: Farm to School Act of 2025

Farm to School Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-3127| Senate 
| Updated: 11/6/2025
This bill, titled the Farm to School Act of 2025, aims to reauthorize and significantly expand the existing Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program. It broadens the definition of an "eligible institution" to include land-grant colleges and universities, in addition to schools, and clarifies that a "farm to school program" encompasses activities like planting gardens, procuring from local agricultural producers, and conducting educational activities related to agriculture, nutrition, or food. A key provision is the substantial increase in authorized annual funding for the program, from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 , for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. The legislation enhances grant provisions, setting a maximum award of $500,000 over a three-year term, with the Secretary encouraged to offer diverse amounts and durations to match project scope. It emphasizes improving local food procurement and distribution options, including funding for innovative approaches to aggregation, processing, transportation, and distribution. The bill also allows for the waiver or modification of matching requirements to reduce barriers for high-priority projects and permits Tribal agencies to use certain federal funds to satisfy their non-Federal share. Priority for grant awards is given to projects that incorporate experiential and culturally appropriate education, serve a high proportion of children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds , expand local commodity selection, and address diet-related health issues. Notably, the bill prioritizes projects serving Tribal communities that incorporate traditional foods from Tribal agricultural producers. Furthermore, it mandates the Secretary to conduct triennial reviews and submit reports on regulatory and other barriers affecting farm to school programs, including those impacting small-scale and Tribal producers, to foster greater participation and effectiveness.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2026
Farm to School Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1328
Farm to School Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3129
Farm to School Act of 2023
Nov 6, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Nov 6, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Nov 17, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6065
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2026
    Farm to School Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1328
    Farm to School Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3129
    Farm to School Act of 2023


  • November 6, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 6, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.


  • November 17, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6065
    Introduced in House
Peter Welch

Peter Welch

Democratic Senator

Vermont

Cosponsors (2)
Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Agriculture and Food

Related Bills

  • HR 119-6065: Farm to School Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted